UMA Senior Lecturer of Justice Studies and Director of the Maine Community Policing Institute Noel March presented “Defining Moments in Policing: Ethical Decision Making during the Holocaust” to attendees of the FBI National Executive Institute in Washington, D.C. This program is a curriculum of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum that was developed in 2023 with the support of the Holocaust & Human Rights Center of Maine and the Maine Community Policing Institute.

Each year the FBI National Executive Institute hosts fifty police leaders from major city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies from across the United States and abroad.

Chief March is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and serves as a Fellow of the Future Policing Institute.

UMA is proud to celebrate the Monmouth Police Department for becoming one of only three in Maine to have every single officer complete Â鶹APP Community Policing Certificate.

Why This Matters for UMA

This isn’t just about handing out awards; it’s a “proof of concept” for our mission.

• Real-World Influence: Our Justice Studies curriculum is directly shaping how Maine officers interact with their neighbors.
• Mission in Action: It cements Â鶹APP role as the go-to partner for practical, high-impact professional development in the state.
• Strengthening Ties: Partnerships like this (supported by the Harold Alfond Center) keep our programs relevant and our graduates in high demand.

The Quick Stats

• The Milestone: Monmouth is now the third department statewide (joining Rockland and Winthrop) to earn the 100% Award for Community Policing Education.
• The Training: Focused on trust-building, consistency, and shared problem-solving—moving policing from “enforcement” to “partnership.”
• The Team: Shoutout to Officers Rose Mandella, Olivia Mora, Zachary Roy, and Lt. Dana Wessling for crossing the finish line.

“Shared learning helps departments work with residents as true partners.” — UMA President Jenifer Cushman

The Bottom Line

By aligning our Justice Studies program with the Maine Community Policing Institute, UMA is doing more than teaching—we’re helping build safer, more connected Maine communities.

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.” 

The Â鶹APP is pleased to recognize the appointment of Chief Noel C. March (ret.) as its newest Fellow of the Future Policing Institute (FPI). Chief March will bring his decades of leadership and innovation in law enforcement and justice studies to the Institute’s growing network of thought leaders shaping the future of policing.

A nationally respected figure in public safety, Chief March currently serves as Lecturer in Justice Studies and Director of the Maine Community Policing Institute at the Â鶹APP. His distinguished career includes serving as the United States Marshal for the District of Maine and Chief of Police at the University of Maine.

As a Fellow, Chief March will contribute to FPI’s mission to advance policing that is effective, empathetic and just. His experience in community policing, strategic foresight and organizational development will support FPI’s focus on future-oriented thinking and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and data-driven tools.

Established in 2019, the Future Policing Institute is a practitioner, policymaker, and community-focused organization committed to reimagining public safety. Through research, mentorship, consulting and public engagement, FPI champions a model of policing that is constitutionally grounded and socially responsive.

“We are honored to welcome Chief March as a Fellow,” said FPI Founder Jim Bueermann. “His visionary leadership and commitment to community-centered policing will be a tremendous asset as we continue to explore and shape the future of public safety.”

To learn more about the Future Policing Institute, visit .

Congratulations to each of these officers of the Wells Maine Police Department for their commitment to Community Policing by their completion of the UMA Certificate in Community Policing through the Maine Community Policing Institute at the Â鶹APP.

Chief Noel C. March, lecturer of justice studies and community policing at the Â鶹APP (UMA), has been selected to participate in a significant educational program titled Operationalizing Never Again: The Role of Law Enforcement in the Holocaust and Contemporary Genocide. This groundbreaking program is a collaboration between Rutgers University, the University of Virginia’s Center for Public Safety and Justice (CPSJ), and the Global Consortium for Law Enforcement Training Executives (GCLETE).

Chief March will join law enforcement leaders from around the world to explore the crucial historical lessons learned from the role of law enforcement in Nazi Germany, particularly the actions of Reserve Battalion 101, and their relevance to contemporary policing. The program includes immersive training, historical case studies and experiential learning, including participation in the International March of the Living in Krakow, Poland.

“I am honored to take part in this pivotal program that aligns with my commitment to educating future law enforcement leaders on ethical decision-making, accountability and the prevention of human rights abuses,” said Chief March. “It’s essential that we draw lessons from history to ensure the protection of human rights and the dignity of all individuals in today’s society.”

The Operationalizing Never Again program aims to provide law enforcement executives and educators with the tools to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and make decisions that uphold justice in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape. Participants will gain insights into law enforcement’s complicity during the Holocaust and engage in discussions on preventing modern-day atrocities.

“The program represents a powerful opportunity for law enforcement leaders to examine their roles in shaping the future of policing and community relations,” said John J. Farmer, Jr., director of the Miller Center at Rutgers University. “Chief March’s participation exemplifies the commitment of law enforcement professionals to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.”

The training program will include pre-trip virtual seminars, on-site sessions in Poland and post-trip assignments. Participants will also receive training in ethical decision-making and active bystandership, alongside workshops on applying historical lessons to modern policing.

This initiative is a critical step toward fostering stronger, more ethical leadership within law enforcement agencies globally. It is particularly timely in addressing the increasing need for law enforcement agencies to reflect on their responsibilities in upholding democratic values and preventing human rights violations.

For more information on the program and its objectives, please contact SCPS-CPSJ@virginia.edu.

About Chief Noel C. March

Chief Noel C. March is a lecturer in justice studies and community policing at the Â鶹APP. With a distinguished background in law enforcement leadership, Chief March is committed to advancing the education of future public safety leaders and promoting ethical policing practices.

At UMA, we’re dedicated to providing comprehensive education, training, and support to foster proactive problem-solving partnerships between community members and police. We know that the foundation of effective community policing lies in mutual trust, allowing police and citizens to work side by side to address the root causes of crime and social disorder.

For more on why higher education can be transformative for policing, check out the full article here:

Students can pursue an online Master of Science in Trauma-Informed Emergency Management and an online Associate of Science in Community Policing. Both degrees rely on existing courses, but allow students to receive higher credentials and more education and training to better prepare them for maintaining community safety and well-being.

Master of Science in Trauma-Informed Emergency Management

The 30-credit Master of Science in Trauma-Informed Emergency Management, which launched this summer, is the first graduate program in emergency management in Maine and the only one in the U.S. that is trauma-informed. According to program coordinator Kati Corlew, “The program not only provides students traditional emergency management and preparedness training, but also teaches them how to plan for and help people deal with the mental, psychological, emotional and cognitive trauma they experience during crises.”

The new graduate degree will support aspiring and existing emergency managers, crisis workers, counselors, town planners, school administrators and professionals in other related fields. Students can choose concentrations in community resilience, data analytics, mental health, and emergency management and preparedness; similar to the 16-credit Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Emergency Management introduced in 2021. Faculty from UMA and other University of Maine System institutions will teach classes for the interdisciplinary program, which also includes a new capstone course. Corlew, also an associate professor of psychology, says students pursuing the master’s degree automatically earn the graduate certificate.

“There’s definitely a growing interest from employers for trauma-informed emergency management professionals,” Corlew says. “When people experience trauma in a crisis, they behave differently, so we need people who can respond to it as it happens. It also helps with preparedness, which can reduce risk and increase resilience to minimize trauma.”

Associate of Science in Community Policing

The 60-credit Associate of Science in Community Policing, which will be offered this fall, teaches future and active law enforcement professionals how to foster relationships with the people they serve to build trust, provide comfort, prevent crime and minimize the fear of it, says Noel March, justice studies lecturer and director of the Maine Community Policing Institute at UMA. It is the first degree dedicated to community policing in the U.S., March says.

The degree program builds on the existing certificate and micro-certificate offered at UMA. It uses existing courses and an interdisciplinary approach to instruction that can provide students with knowledge in law, substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, hate crimes, community resilience, communication, cultural competency, women and gender studies, American history, computer science, and ˛ą°ůłŮ.Ěý

March says providing students a diverse educational background will make them “more holistic and well-rounded criminal justice professionals.” By offering the degree program online with asynchronous curricula, March also says he hopes the program will reduce enough barriers to attract prospective students from across the country.

“This new credential will offer students an enhanced skill set and knowledge to contribute to the safety and well-being of society,” he says.

UMA committed to its continued development and expansion of programs that provide real career solutions to Maine people, and that keep Maine communities safe.

The new master’s and associate degrees are the latest additions to the growing number of academic programs for public safety-related fields at UMA, which also includes its cybersecurity programs. Students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees, and certificates in cybersecurity, with courses available in-person and online.

Since creating the program in 2015, the university has not only expanded its academic offerings in cybersecurity, but also worked with UMS to establish the Maine Cybersecurity Center and the designated Center for Cyber Education, and created the Maine Cyber Range facility, which uses Cyberbit Range technology to create simulations of different cybercrime scenarios for training. In 2020, UMA and the University of Southern Maine launched a co-created and taught Master of Science in Cybersecurity.

In March, the UMS Board of Trustees approved spending $855,000 for UMA to keep using its Cyberbit Range security training and simulation platform at its facility for three years, as well as add ProTools to it, upgrade hardware, retain the services of a customer success manager and acquire 100 student labs for it.

“The demand for cybersecurity professionals has never been greater,” says Henry Felch, associate professor of cybersecurity and computer information systems. “With our hands-on approach to teaching students about protecting our critical digital infrastructure in numerus applications, they have skills that can be applied in the workplace on day one. In fact, many students are already completing projects for client organization even before they graduate.”

Updated 7/7/2022

The Maine Community Policing Institute provides education, training, and technical assistance to members of the public and the police who protect them with the goal of promoting proactive problem solving and partnerships of trust that enhance community safety and quality of life.
Motto: “Building Safer Communities Through Education”

At the invitation of The Ohio State University, UMA Lecturer of Justice Studies Noel March presented a talk on the State of American Community Policing (via video) on October 6th. Over 100 members of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, the ABA Division for Bar Services, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Columbus Bar Association were in attendance for this workshop on community collaboration. Noel was the only police subject matter expert on the panel.