FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Rumford Police Department Secures Two Federal Grants and Awaits Approval for a Third to Enhance Mental Health Response and Lead County-Wide Accreditation
Issued by: Chief Tony Milligan
Rumford, ME – September 18, 2024 – The Rumford Police Department is pleased to announce the receipt of two significant federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office. These grants will support the hiring of additional officers and initiate a county-wide law enforcement accreditation project. A third grant application is currently under review, which would enable the hiring of full-time mental health crisis clinicians to co-respond to calls alongside law enforcement officers. The grants come with strong support from local, state, and federal stakeholders, underscoring the importance of these initiatives in transforming public safety in Rumford and throughout Oxford County.
COPS Hiring Program: Strengthening Mental Health Crisis Response
The first award, a $250,000 grant from the COPS Hiring Program, will enable Rumford Police Department to hire two new full-time officers. These officers will address the rising number of mental health-related calls, which made up approximately 9% of the department’s 6,468 service calls in 2023. The addition of these officers will allow the department to improve response times and enhance safety during crisis situations.
Chief Tony Milligan explained, “Mental health crisis calls are some of the most complex, challenging and most dangerous situations our officers face. This grant will provide much-needed relief, enabling us to dedicate resources to these calls and enhance the safety of both officers and community members.”
A pending third grant, currently under review by the Department of Justice, would further support the department’s mental health response efforts by funding the hiring of two full-time mental health crisis clinicians. In partnership with Oxford County Mental Health Services (OCMHS), these clinicians would co-respond to calls, help de-escalate situations, and provide mental health support to individuals in crisis. The clinicians would also work independently on follow-up visits and proactive engagement with at-risk individuals. If approved, this grant would position Rumford Police Department as a pioneer in rural Maine by implementing an embedded crisis response model that some larger agencies have implemented.
County-Wide Accreditation Initiative: A First for Maine
In addition to the hiring grant, the Rumford Police Department, in partnership with Dirigo Safety, LLC, has been awarded a $250,000 grant to lead a historic county-wide law enforcement accreditation project. This initiative involves all law enforcement agencies in Oxford County—Rumford, Oxford, Norway, Paris, and Fryeburg Police Departments, as well as the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office. With Dirigo Safety’s expertise and resources, these agencies will pursue accreditation through the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MLEAP).
The accreditation process will focus on four key areas:
1. Policy Development: Creating fair and transparent policies for community-oriented policing.
2. Officer Training: Providing enhanced training to ensure professional and effective law enforcement practices.
3. Evidence and Property Room Audits: Ensuring accountability and integrity in managing evidence and property.
4. Sustainable Transparency Systems: Implementing lasting systems to improve transparency between law enforcement and the community.
Once achieved, Oxford County will be the first in Maine to have all its law enforcement agencies accredited, setting a precedent for other counties across the state. This initiative has garnered the unified support of all Oxford County law enforcement leaders. In a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Chiefs of Rumford, Fryeburg, Norway, Oxford, Paris Police Departments, and Sheriff Christopher Wainwright collectively stated, “By seeking accreditation concurrently throughout the entire county, we are pledging to elevate the standard of professionalism, attract and retain qualified officers, and mitigate potential challenges in resource sharing, particularly in times of crisis.”
Broad Support for These Initiatives
The Rumford Police Department’s grant applications have received strong backing from a wide range of local, state, and federal leaders. Letters of support were submitted by the Rumford Hospital, Oxford County Mental Health Services, Oxford County District Attorney Neil McLean, Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck and U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, along with Congressman Jared Golden. In their joint letter, Senators Collins, King, and Congressman Golden emphasized, “Oxford County would be the first county in Maine to pursue accreditation of all law enforcement agencies… this innovative approach will enhance public safety and response efforts in the region.”
For more information on these grants and the department’s initiatives, click here.
About the COPS Office:
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is a component within the U.S. Department of Justice dedicated to advancing the practice of community policing. Since its inception, the COPS Office has awarded more than $14 billion in grants to support public safety and community trust nationwide.
About Dirigo Safety, LLC:
Dirigo Safety, LLC, founded in 2016, is a Maine-based law enforcement-owned consulting and training company. Specializing in public safety services, the company offers a range of services including policy development, law enforcement training, and support for accreditation through the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MLEAP). Their team consists of active and retired officers, attorneys, and subject matter experts who provide both online and in-person training for law enforcement agencies across New England.
About the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MLEAP):
The Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MLEAP) is a voluntary process where police agencies in Maine prove their compliance with Maine Law Enforcement’s current Best Practices or Standards. These standards were carefully developed by Maine Law Enforcement professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service and the protection of individual’s rights. The Maine Chiefs of Police Association (MCOPA) developed the Accreditation Program to assist Maine agencies in meeting their professional obligations to the citizens of Maine. An appointed Committee of CLEOs or other executive-level sworn members who hold Active Membership in the MCOPA as well as other critical partners identified by the MCOPA Board of Directors from across the state developed the Accreditation Program and identified the Standards for Maine Law Enforcement. This committee now conducts reviews of an agency’s efforts and awards “Accredited” status. The Maine Chiefs of Police Association has partnered with Dirigo Safety, LLC to manage the MLEAP Program
In the News:
Maine Wire article