CMCC to open new building for training in law enforcement fields

4,500-square-foot Public Service Simulation Center, which will open this fall, is intended for real-world training in a “human-first approach” to law enforcement

COURTESY / CMCC Central Maine Community College's new 4,500-square-foot Public Service Simulation Center, which will open this fall, is intended for real-world training in a “human-first approach” to law enforcement and related fields.

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By Peter Van Allen

Central Maine Community College in Auburn said this week it will offer law enforcement programs in a new building when the campus reopens in the fall.

Students will be offered areas of concentration in conservation law enforcement and social sciences.

The programs will be housed in a new 4,500-square-foot Public Service Simulation Center, which is intended for real-world training in a “human-first approach” to law enforcement and other fields.

"Our focus is on communication and de-escalation, safe restraint methods and crisis intervention training as our students will work with vulnerable populations, including the mentally ill. When students graduate, they will have many higher-level skills, including the ability to identify indicators of aggression and to employ methods designed to achieve a peaceful resolution,” Matt Tifft, chair of the Public Service and Social Science department, said in a news release.

The center will be used for the study of conservation law enforcement, forensic science, justice studies, criminal justice, police operations and social sciences.

The simulation center will have a dual-bay garage, briefing room, simulation room, scenario prep room, classroom, control room and changing/restroom area. In addition to student training, the space will be available to train personnel from local public service agencies.

The new simulation center was paid for in part with a grant from the Yarmouth-based Davis Family Foundation.

CMCC’s interim president, Betsy Libby, said public service and social science programs are key areas for workforce development, focusing on placement. "They are well connected to their professional colleagues across the state and continue to create opportunities to meet Maine's workforce needs."

Faculty in the programs have experience in the Maine State Police major crimes unit, as a death investigator with the Maine Medical Examiner's office, as a former district attorney, a lieutenant with the Auburn Police Department, game warden with the Maine Warden Service, state and local law enforcement and as clinical counselors.

CMCC also said it will offer a new conservation law enforcement program, in partnership with Washington County Community College. It will be available as a two-year degree or one-year certificate program.