IN APRIL OF 2023, THE ROCKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH THE FOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITHIN KNOX COUNTY CAME TOGETHER TO FUND A PLAN TO DEVELOP DE-ESCALATION TRAINING FOR THE FIVE AGENCIES IN THE MID-COAST AREA OF MAINE. THE GROUP AGREED TO PARTNER WITH DIRIGO SAFETY LLC TO ADDRESS THIS LACK OF TRAINING IN THE AREA AND THE STATE OF MAINE. DIRIGO SAFETY, LLC IS A MAINE BASED COMPANY THAT PROVIDES TRAINING AND CONSULTING ON LEGAL, LAW ENFORCEMENT RELATED, AND WORKPLACE SAFETY TOPICS. THEY PERFORM A WIDE VARIETY OF HIGHLY SPECIALIZED SERVICES INCLUDING LEGAL AND TECHNICAL CONSULTING FOR LESSON PLAN WRITING, ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE MAINE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCREDITATION PROGRAM ON BEHALF OF THE MAINE CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION (MCOPA). DIRIGO SAFETY WORKS WITH OVER 110 (OF THE APPROXIMATELY 120) MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN MAINE AS CUSTOMERS FOR IN-SERVICE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING (BOTH ON-LINE AND IN-PERSON), OPERATING POLICY DEVELOPMENT, AND STATE ACCREDITATION SERVICES. OUR GOALS DOVETAIL TO THE GOALS OF THIS FUNDING PROGRAM TO PROMOTE QUALITY TRAINING WITH OUR PARTNER, DIRIGO SAFETY LLC. THE CLEOS OF THE FIVE KNOX COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CONCLUDED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF DE-ESCALATION TRAINING INTO AN AGENCY CAN PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, AGENCY PERSONNEL, AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP.