Training the trainers

(Students practice various control techniques)

Eleven become certified MARCs instructors at MCJA


By Katy England
edge staff writer
kengland@themaineedge.com

VASSALBORO – Eleven law enforcement officers from around Maine became certified instructors in the mechanics of arrest control and restraint (MARC) at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA). The people taking the course were from various agencies, including municipal police departments, the Maine State Police, The Maine Warden Service and State Judicial Martial Service. For an in-depth look at the MCJA's MARC course read Hands-on Learning.
In order to become certified as instructors, the students not only have to be proficient with the techniques and able to execute them well, they also need to be able to articulate how certain maneuvers are made and be able to explain it in various ways.

(Blocks for knife attacks)

“We go over the whole curriculum,” said Dep. Arthur Smith, co-lead instructor for the course. “We instruct it to them and have them instruct it to us to make sure they understand it and understand the concepts behind it.”
The class is four days, eight hours per day. Once they have completed the course, they are certified to instruct other people in MARC. Officers can take it back to their department to instruct other officers and hold refresher courses. But they can also assist in the instruction for the MARC course at the MCJA for new cadets going through the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP).
“It’s crucial to have the most properly-trained instructors throughout the state to ensure proper training for new and senior officers,” said Smith.
The instructors are encouraged to return to the academy to assist with training the cadets during the BLETPs.
Andrew Weatherbee of Ellsworth Police Department and Eben Richardson, deputy marshal with the judicial branch, both have plans to assist with instruction at the academy in the future.
“This was my favorite part of the BLETP,” said Weatherbee. “I wanted to give back to the cadets.”

(The participants go over baton strikes)

Richardson studied at Tracy’s Karate with Sgt. Scott Hamilton, co-lead instructor for the course, back in 1998. When Hamilton began instructing at the academy, Richardson asked if he could help, but learned he needed to be law enforcement certified to do so. After taking the 100 hour law enforcement pre-service course and getting hired as deputy marshal, he was able to take the course. Richardson self-sponsored himself to take the course.

“I was able to fulfill a dream,” he said. “I was very fortunate to be accepted into such a program as a self sponsor. It was a dream that started 12 to 13 years ago.”

Law enforcement officers who completed the program are as follows:

Chad Allen, Sanford Police Department;
Justin Dolci, Brunswick Police Department;
Haley Fleming, Winslow Police Department;
Justin Fowlie, Maine Warden Service;
Donald Laflin, Scarborough Police Department and Cadre at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy;
Jededia Malcore, Maine State Police;
Eben Richardson, State Judicial Marshal Service;
Jason Scott, Maine Warden Service;
Steven Stubbs, Windham Police Department;
Andrew Weatherbee, Ellsworth Police Department; and
Timothy Williams, Skowhegan Police Department.