Maine State Police
The Maine State Police is the state police agency for Maine, which has jurisdiction across the state and was created in 1921.
Training programs
Maine State Troopers go through an 18-week Basic Law Enforcement training period at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro. The entrance standards to the Academy are some of the toughest in the United States. Training includes many hours of learning in courses such as firearms, Constitutional law, patrol procedures, criminal behavior, high-speed pursuit and various other criminal justice and social science courses. The training program at the MCJA is nearly as rigorous as the actual job itself, giving new recruits a good idea of the intensity of the demanding profession for which they are preparing. After graduation from the MCJA, Trooper recruits are required to attend another 10 weeks of training in the Recruit Training Troop. The RTT is even more rigorous than the 18-week Basic Law Enforcement academy.As Troopers progress in their careers, they are able to join other specialized units, such as the Tactical Team or K9 Unit. These added units require many extra hours of training. Many State Troopers are involved in two to three extra units, depending upon where they are located.
Organization
Chief of State Police
On Monday April 11, 2011, Governor Paul LePage nominated Lieutenant Colonel Robert Williams to be the new police chief.In May 2011, Robert Williams was named Colonel of the Maine State Police.
In March 2018, Colonel Robert Williams announced his retirement from the Maine State Police, stating that he had accepted a position with Colby College as their Director of Security. Governor LePage nominated Lieutenant Colonel John Cote to be the next State Police Chief.
In December 2022, Governor Janet Mills nominated Major William Ross to be the next Chief of the Maine State Police.
Top salaries
In 2023, two Maine State Police Officers were listed on Maine’s top salary list. Sergeant Jonathan Leach earned $212,685.22 and Sergeant Kristopher Kennedy earned $201,119.60.Field Troops
Maine State Troopers patrol from ten barracks located across the state. These barracks are:- Troop A - Alfred - York County
- Troop B - Gray - Southern Maine
- Troop C - Skowhegan - Western Maine
- Troop D - Augusta - Midcoast Maine
- Troop E - Bangor - Central Maine
- Troop F - Houlton - Northern Maine
- Troop G - Portland - Maine Turnpike
- Troop I - Maine Interstate System
- Troop J - Ellsworth - Downeast Maine
- Troop K - Augusta - Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit
Specialized units
Specialty Units fall under the Special Services Division, these units are composed of specially selected and trained members of the Maine State Police. Deployments occur statewide and may be requested at anytime by a law enforcement agency.Air Wing
The Maine State Police Air Wing was established in the 1970s. Today, the air wing consists of two Cessna 182 fixed wing aircraft. The aircraft are strategically stationed for regional response to mission requests. Both aircraft and pilots are certified for IFR flight.The State Police Air Wing is often utilized for traffic enforcement along the interstate from Kittery to Houlton, and aerial photos of traffic crash and crime scenes. The aircraft are used to conduct searches for lost or wanted persons. They also serve as an aerial platform to support the Maine State Police Tactical and Canine Teams, and conduct administrative transports throughout New England.
The Maine State Police are responsible for air search and rescue efforts. In this role, air wing personnel assist incident commanders in coordinating search efforts for lost or overdue aircraft reported within the state.
Bombs/Explosives Unit
The bomb team has been active since 1994 and is made up of five bomb technicians who have been specially trained. The team is responsible for investigating actual or suspected explosive devices. Utilizing federal funding, the team obtained a containment trailer for explosives and a remote control robot, which is used to examine suspicious packages.K9 Unit
The Maine State Police Canine Unit is composed of twenty certified teams. The unit is split into two separate but interrelated functions: operational and training. A sergeant and one full-time trooper staff the unit. The K-9 Training Center is located adjacent to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, in Vassalboro, Maine. At this location we are able to provide over of available land for training, a canine agility/confidence course, a classroom / office building, and a.training building. From this location we are able to provide support for our operational missions, both in terms of logistical support and equipment needs.Calls for service include tracking lost persons or persons suspected of committing a crime. Searching for discarded evidence, both known and unknown. Searching for suspects concealed in buildings. Locating prohibited narcotics hidden in vehicles, structures and on persons. Searching for explosives. Explosive searches are split between actual calls for suspected devices and precautionary searches for dignitaries and VIP's. Patrol dogs also provide protection for their handlers and deterring ongoing criminal behavior.
Crisis Negotiations Unit
This specially trained group of thirteen negotiators responds to life-threatening incidents such as suicidal threats, barricaded persons and hostage takers. Their goal is to open a line of communication aimed at resolving the situation in a nonviolent manner. The team works in conjunction with the tactical team and responds to most of their calls.Underwater Recovery Team
The dive team consists of ten members, eight from State Police and two divers from the Maine Marine Patrol. The team conducts searches for evidence in criminal investigations. They also conduct underwater crime scene documentation and investigation. The team also conducts search and recovery operations for victims of motor vehicle crashes, homicide, and other water related deaths. The team is often called upon to search vessels and harbors in Maine as part of Homeland Security.Evidence Response Team
The Evidence Response Team examines major scenes to identify and establish the interrelationships of physical evidence involved in the scene. This process involves developing, identifying, documenting, collecting, and preserving evidence for purposes of identifying suspects and establishing sequence of events possibilities.The ERT is composed of 29 sworn members who are all IAI certified Scene Technicians and Analysts. These members may have individual forensic specialties but are all generalists that maintain a good working knowledge of the various disciplines of forensic science.
There are 20 additional ERT Associate Members that represent an expertise in a broad spectrum of forensic disciplines and act as consultants who train regularly with the team.