UMGC and Montgomery County Police Forge Strategic Partnership to Advance Workforce Development, Grant Credit for Academy Training

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UMGC Global Media Center UMGC and Montgomery County Police Forge Strategic Partnership

Partnership will Advance Workforce Development, Grant Credit for Academy Training

August 28, 2025

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From left: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy Director, Captain David Reed, MCPD Chief Marc Yamada, UMGC Acting Dean of the School of Integrative and Professional Studies Rand Hansen, and Montgomery County Councilmember Sidney Katz.

91ֱ�� of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) and the Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) today announced at a press conference at the county's Public Safety Training Academy a new educational partnership designed to expand career and accelerate degree completion for MCPD employees and their families. The initiative reflects UMGC’s mission to transform lives through accessible, skills-based, workforce-relevant education, coupled with Montgomery County’s commitment to investing in a well-prepared, community-focused police force.

�ճ��ǳܲ��this collaboration, eligible participants will receive discounted tuition, waived application fees, and college credit for police training and prior learning—including military service, field training, professional certifications, and vocational education. Officers who complete the MCPD Academy and certification as Maryland police officers will receive up to 60 college credits, with up to 30 additional credits available for relevant experience.

"This partnership is about recognizing and building on the real-world skills officers bring to the job,” said Rand Hansen, acting dean of UMGC’s School of Professional and Integrative Studies. “By awarding college credit for rigorous training and real-world experience, we’re helping MCPD employees move faster toward a degree—and toward new opportunities to lead and serve."

Along with the training academy's director, Captain David Reed, and county leaders, including MCPD Chief Marc Yamada, County Executive Marc Elrich, and Councilmember Sidney Katz, emphasized the program’s potential to improve recruitment, retention, and community impact. The partnership reflects Montgomery County’s commitment to supporting law enforcement and strengthening its workforce.

“A better educated, well-trained and well-supported workforce makes for better policing and enhanced relationships,” said Chief Yamada at the press conference. “All of this contributes to allowing us to make the best decisions possible and provide the best service to everyone in Montgomery County.”

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