UMA is pleased to announce that the UMA 100% Award for Community Policing Education was awarded to Winthrop Police Department (WPD) by President Jennifer Cushman on behalf of UMA and the Maine Community Policing Institute, during the Winthrop Town Council Meeting on Dec. 15. This accolade recognizes the WPD’s commitment to modern law enforcement strategies and higher education.
A Distinction of 100% commitment
Receiving the UMA 100% Award for Community Policing Education is a rare achievement that signifies a departmentwide dedication to professional growth. This award is granted to agencies that achieve 100% of their officers earning community policing certificates from UMA. Upon certificate completion, individual officers earn the UMA Educational Merit Award uniform pin, while the agency receives the departmental honor once every member is certified. Winthrop is the second police department ever to receive the award.
The meaning of the achievement
UMA is committed to supporting transformational change in communities across Maine, and beyond, one student at a time. Beyond just academic achievement, this award represents a shift in organizational culture. By ensuring every officer is educated in community policing principles, the Winthrop Police Department is adopting a philosophy that views police not as separate from their citizens, but as integral stakeholders in the community’s safety.
Noel March, the director of the Maine Community Policing Institute says, “Police officers equipped with this contemporary education and skill set are more effective in their roles. Our curriculum covers diverse topics ranging from building relationships of trust with the public, engaging community members in prioritizing local issues of concern and practicing problem solving strategies that reduce crime, reduce fear of crime and minimize social disorder.”
Benefit to Maine communities
Based on the experiences of other Maine police officers who have pursued this certification, such as in Old Town, Jay, Wells, Monmouth and Waterville, communities can expect several positive outcomes. As noted by officers in Rockland, the first department in Maine to become fully certified, this training helps bridge the gap between community expectations and police practices by equipping officers with skills that emphasize collaboration, transparency and problem solving; and it demonstrates a clear dedication to the community.
Long-term problem solving: The training encourages officers to connect with other town departments and local resources to create longer-term solutions rather than taking measures to temporarily mitigate crime.
Enhanced recruitment: Leaders in other Maine municipalities have noted that adopting this philosophy can help with recruitment, bringing in young people who want to be part of a forward-thinking, trusted agency.
Joining a statewide movement
By achieving 100% certification, the Winthrop Police Department joins a select group of Maine law enforcement agencies that have accepted the Maine Community Policing Challenge. This challenge was designed to enroll as many of Maine’s 3,000 officers as possible in higher education to professionalize the force and enhance public safety.
March stated regarding the goal of these programs, “we really want our police not to be apart from the community, but a part of the community.”