Chief’s Welcome
On behalf of our team at UMPD, welcome to the University of Maine! I want to take a moment to introduce myself and reassure students, parents, faculty, and staff that we are here for you.
We are often asked, “Is our campus safe?” The answer is yes! Our department is made up of certified police officers with years — and in many cases, decades — of law enforcement experience in the greater Orono–Bangor area. Many of us are also parents, with children currently in college or recent graduates. We understand the challenges and stressors that come with higher education, whether you’re a student or the parent of one.
While UMaine is one of the safest campuses in the country, we also recognize that no community is without risk. That is why we take our responsibilities so seriously. My mission is “to serve the UMaine community with pride, professionalism, integrity, fairness, and respect,” and I expect every member of my team to uphold these values.
UMPD is an MLEAP-accredited police department with strong partnerships across neighboring public safety agencies. We also hold the Trilogy Award from the FBI–LEEDA Executive Leadership program. Our commitment is unwavering: to maintain a safe, supportive campus where students can thrive. We are here for you, 24/7. Please don’t hesitate to contact us whenever you need assistance.
~William J. Flagg, Chief of Police
January 22, 2026
Information related to potential non-university enforcement activity
Dear University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias community,
As a public university, we are committed to following all applicable laws and regulations.
In response to active federal immigration enforcement action in Maine, I am writing to share relevant information and resources. We are sharing this guidance proactively to address your questions and to provide reassurance and clarity.
Campus Access: Our campuses and off-campus offices, sites, and centers are generally open to the public. However, certain restricted-access spaces, such as residence halls and research labs, are designated only for authorized students, employees, and visitors to protect the safety and integrity of people, programs, and operations. Non-university law enforcement officials generally are not allowed to access restricted spaces without a warrant or being accompanied by the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) or other authorized university personnel.
If a non-university law enforcement official approaches you at a university location or while you are performing university duties in the community, please remain calm and ask them to wait while you contact UMPD at 207-581-4040 or through the Black Bear Safe campus safety app. If you see someone else being approached, please refrain from interfering and also immediately contact UMPD for guidance.
As the university’s designated point of initial contact, UMPD is well-versed in the institution’s obligations to outside law enforcement and protocols for protecting the legal rights of students and employees and will appropriately advise you.
Student Records and Rights: The federal Family Rights and Protection Act (FERPA) protects the privacy rights of our students. Under FERPA, the only information about a student that the university can release without the student’s express permission is the student’s directory information, with very limited exceptions, including:
- Students may opt out of having some or all of their directory information released. Those considering this are urged to carefully review this information and only choose options that will not affect their ability to receive timely information about courses, deadlines, etc. in the future.
- The university is legally obligated to turn over directory information if it is subpoenaed for a law enforcement purpose.
Additional Resources: The following resources may also be helpful to you:
- The UMS Employee Assistance Program is a 24/7 resource for employees who would benefit from confidential support.
- Undergraduate students are encouraged to use the services of our Student Life offices: 207-581-1406 or um.studentlife@maine.edu for UMaine students and 207-255-1320 or ummstudentlife@maine.edu for UMaine Machias students. Graduate students are encouraged to contact the Student Success and Retention offices at 207-581-1623 or aylah.ireland@maine.edu.
- The University of Maine System’s Board Policy on Free Speech, Academic Freedom, and Civility can be found here.
Thank you for your continued care for one another.
Sincerely,
~William J. Flagg, Chief of Police
