ORONO, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- While he's still waiting to be officially confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Noel March has already set a few goals for when he likely will take over as Maine's next U.S. Marshal.
The University of Maine police chief, who received President Obama's nomination for the position on Christmas Eve, says he hopes to bring more federal resources to Maine to help support state law enforcement agencies. In an interview with NEWS CENTER, he expressed his desire to obtain grant money from the federal government to benefit agencies such as Maine's Computer Crimes Unit as well as the state's Drug Enforcement Agency.
If he officially gets the job, March's duties as the state's U.S. Marshal will be to protect federal judges, district courts and witnesses in Maine. He would also be given the task of investigating and apprehending federal fugitives.
March says in looking back on his 30 years in law enforcement, he has learned the value of both cooperation and team work. He hopes to coninue with that strategy if he gets the job.
"I certainly hope that I will have the opportunity still to meet with people and connect with people," he said, "community leaders, business leaders, members of the judiciary, our legal community and of course my fellow law enforcement officers in Maine to find strategies and find opportunities to work together."
University of Maine spokesperson Joe Carr says if March is confirmed as marshal, the school will appoint somebody from within the public safety department to manage it for the time being.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has not scheduled a confirmation hearing at this time.
NEWS CENTER