In marking the kickoff of this endeavor, Lieutenant Governor Townsend and Colonel Mitchell presented the first graduation certificates to the police officers who were trained in August to be the trainers for the new academy. Another class of trainers is expected to graduate during the spring of next year. Community policing is about partnerships and problem solving. I have long believed that the police cannot do the job alone and we should not ask them to. Community policing is about building partnerships between citizens and police.
Today marks an essential step to reduce time and fear.
I was reminded so vividly during the past month that Marylanders do care and do support those in uniform and want to make a difference. As we in the Maryland State Police grieved the loss of two fallen heroes, the people of Maryland stepped forward, lined the roadways and silently told us that they stand with us, support us and are ready to take on the challenges of our future together. Currently in Maryland, more than 70 police departments receive federal funding to perform community policing activities. Until now, there was no one resource to assist those departments in continuing education, resource development or community involvement. The Maryland Community Policing Academy will give those departments and other agencies within the state a coordinated training and resource base to assist in the growth of community policing statewide.