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 (RTT). 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.
Field Troops
Maine State Police Troops
Northern Field Troop
Troops E & J
Central Field Troop
Troops C & D
Southern Field Troop
Troops A & B
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
In late 2022, the Maine State Police announced that it would be restructuring its field troops. Troops A and B combined to form the Southern Field Troop, Troops C and D formed the Central Field Troop, and Troops E and J formed the Northern Field Troop. Additionally, Troop I was established to patrol the Maine Interstate System from Augusta to the Aroostook County line.
Specialized units
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 (instrument flight rules) 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 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 200 acres (0.81km2) of available land for training, a canine agility/confidence course, a 1,300sqft (120m2) classroom / office building, and a 7,800sqft (720m2).training building. From this location we are able to provide support for our operational missions, both in terms of logistical support and equipment needs.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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.[3]
Dive 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 (i.e. pathology, trace, biology, prints, ballistics, anthropology, etc.) and act as consultants who train regularly with the team.
Executive Protection
The Executive Protection Unit is assigned to protect the Governor, the Governor's family, and anyone else as designated by the Governor or the Department. Members of the EPU are trained in personal protection, physical security, and threat assessment. The EPU works closely with other state, local, and federal agencies to provide protection for the Governor and other visiting dignitaries.
Criminal Investigations and Forensics
The Maine State Police maintains a full service nationally accredited crime laboratory. There are three divisions of criminal investigators, a polygraph unit, a computer crimes unit and intelligence unit. The Maine State Police also play a key role in the homeland security issues in Maine. The Maine State Police/State Bureau of Identification maintains all criminal records and statistics in the State as well as the Sex Offender Registry.
Motor vehicle inspection program
Maine requires all motor vehicles to undergo a safety inspection once a year. Vehicles registered in Cumberland County are also required to undergo an emissions test. Inspections are conducted at automobile dealerships, service stations and garages. To insure inspection mechanics are complying with the state's many safety provisions, motor vehicle inspectors conduct periodic reviews of their practices and facilities, and investigate complaints. In addition, state police personnel inspect Maine's school bus fleet at least once per year. This is in addition to the two regular annual inspections required of school buses. There are about 8,000 active licensed inspection mechanics and 2,700 inspection stations. One motor vehicle inspector, eight motor vehicle inspectors, and two clerks currently staff the program.[citation needed]
Motor Vehicle Crash Investigation Program
The State of Maine Crash Reconstruction Unit is composed of State Police, Municipal and County Law Enforcement personnel. Currently the unit includes 20 troopers, 15 county and 37 municipal officers. Unit members are located throughout the entire state and are chosen based on both geographic location and ability.
The objective of the Crash Reconstruction Unit is to conduct in-depth investigations and analyses of major traffic collisions throughout the state. Investigations include the reconstruction of a crash and a study of the factors that may have contributed to that crash. These factors include environmental, human and mechanical and are associated with the three phases of a collision, which are pre-crash, at-crash and post-crash. The ultimate objective of the program is the utilization of these identified causation factors to prevent collisions of a similar nature from recurring.
Unit members are trained in the physics of collision analysis and reconstruction, occupant kinematics (human factor analysis), vehicle dynamics (collision damage analysis), scene photography, the use of various measuring instruments and computer-aided design software.
Tactical Team
The Maine State Police Tactical Team was formed in 1982. The unit consisted of a handful of State Troopers armed with limited equipment and provided support to law enforcement agencies throughout the State of Maine.
Presently, the Tactical Team consists of 23 members, counting the Team Leaders. These Troopers, Detectives and Sergeants have primary responsibilities in a Troop or other unit within the Maine State Police agency. The Tactical Team is a secondary function, which defines the unit as a collateral duty Team. The current Team has 19 Tactical operators, two Tactical K9 units and two Tactical Medics. The members are geographically located throughout the state, providing assistance/support to requesting law enforcement agencies, including the State Police. Each member on the Team is cross-trained with all equipment.
The Tactical Team works in conjunction with the Maine State Police Crisis Negotiation Team to peacefully resolve critical incidents, which include barricaded subjects, wanted felons, high-risk K-9 tracks, hostage situations and high-risk warrant services. Over the past few years, the Tactical Team has responded to approximately 50 calls for service per year.
In addition, the Tactical Team instructs students at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, provides support to Federal agencies for Homeland Security issues and works in conjunction with other local, state and county law enforcement agencies.
Equipment
Vehicles
The Maine State police uses:
Ford Police Interceptor Sedan and in both marked and unmarked versions. The marked versions are a dark sky blue. Unmarked cars are a variety of colors.
Ford Police Interceptor Utility typically marked. Most sergeants have MSP blue cruisers with no decals. Some MSP Interceptor Utilities are unmarked and in various colors, some with civilian rims and license plates.
Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Suburban Usually marked in non-traditional colors (silver, dark gray or dark blue), but do come unmarked. Used for commercial vehicle enforcement and accident reconstruction.
From 2005 through 2015, all cars were slicktops with only interior-mounted emergency lighting. Following a motor vehicle accident in July 2015 involving a Maine State Police cruiser and a tractor trailer, the State Police shifted away from their slicktop-only fleet to using Whelen Legacy light bars. Also, new reflective fender/hood/trunk graphics with rear bumper chevrons and rear pillar reflective stripes were added to all new cars.
While most marked units have blue license plates, many detective and unmarked units have regular civilian license plates.
Following the end of Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor production, the MSP recently announced that it has "all but finally settled" on the new Ford Taurus-based Interceptor.[4] As production ends on the Taurus, the Police Interceptor Utility has become the main vehicle purchased.
The Massachusetts State Police (MSP) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, responsible for law enforcement and vehicle regulation across the state. As of 2022, it has 2,067 sworn troopers and 611 civilian support staff for a total of 2,678 personnel, making it the largest law enforcement agency in New England. The MSP is headed by Interim Colonel Jack Mawn.
The Connecticut State Police (CSP) is the state police and highway patrol of the U.S. state of Connecticut, responsible for statewide traffic regulation and law enforcement, especially in areas not served by municipal police. It is a division of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The CSP currently has 940 troopers as of October 8, 2020 and is headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut. The Connecticut State Police is also responsible for protecting the Governor of Connecticut, Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, and their families.
The West Virginia State Police (WVSP) is a state law enforcement agency in the United States that provides police services to the residents of West Virginia. It is the fourth-oldest state police agency in the US. The WVSP was disbanded due to their involvement in quelling of the uprisings on behalf of the coal and mine companies which were surrounding the concept of organized labor in the coal and mine industries. The WVSP was then reorganized as the Department of Public Safety in the second extraordinary session of the West Virginia Legislature on June 19, 1919, as a result of their involvement.
The Vermont State Police (VSP) is the state police agency for the U.S. state of Vermont. The force has jurisdiction throughout the entire state. The Vermont Public Safety Commission directs policy and selects the commander. The commander is Colonel Matthew Birmingham. The Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Safety is Michael Schirling. There are 332 sworn state troopers.
The Michigan State Police (MSP) is the state police agency for the U.S. state of Michigan. The MSP is a full-service law enforcement agency, with its sworn members having full police powers statewide.
The Delaware State Police (DSP) is a division of the Delaware Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security and is responsible for traffic regulation and law enforcement across the US State of Delaware, especially in areas underserved by local police departments. The DSP is headquartered in the capital Dover, Delaware.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is the state patrol agency for the U.S. state of Washington. Organized as the Washington State Highway Patrol in 1921, it was renamed and reconstituted in 1933. The agency is charged with the protection of the Governor of Washington and the grounds of the Washington State Capitol; security aboard the vessels and terminals of the Washington State Ferries; law enforcement on interstate and state highways in Washington; and providing specialized support to local law enforcement including laboratory forensic services, mobile field forces during periods of civil unrest or disaster, and tactical teams. The State Fire Marshal's Office, responsible for operation of the Washington State Fire Training Academy and for certain aspects of civil defense mobilization, is a component office of the Washington State Patrol, and the State Patrol is the managing agency of the Washington Fusion Center, which coordinates anti-terrorist and anti-organized crime activities within Washington.
The Wisconsin State Patrol is the state patrol for the state of Wisconsin and is a division of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The Wisconsin State Patrol enforces traffic and criminal laws, oversees the motor carrier safety and weight facilities (SWEFs), inspects and regulates motor carriers, school buses and ambulances, and assists local law enforcement agencies with traffic safety, civil disturbances and disasters.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is a division of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. It is Florida's highway patrol and is the primary law enforcement agency charged with investigating traffic crashes and criminal laws on the state's highways.
The Maryland State Police (MSP), officially the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP), is the official state police force of the U.S. state of Maryland. The Maryland State Police is headquartered at 1201 Reisterstown Road in the Pikesville CDP in unincorporated Baltimore County.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) is the highway patrol agency for South Carolina, which has jurisdiction anywhere in the state except for federal or military installations. The Highway Patrol was created in 1930 and is an organization with a rank structure similar to the armed forces. The mission of the South Carolina Highway Patrol includes enforcing the rules and regulations in order to ensure road way safety and reducing crime as outlined by South Carolina law. The Highway Patrol is the largest division of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and its headquarters is located in Blythewood. This department also includes the South Carolina State Transport Police Division, and the South Carolina Bureau of Protective Services.
The Louisiana State Police is the state police agency of Louisiana, which has jurisdiction anywhere in the state, headquartered in Baton Rouge. It falls under the authority of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections. It is officially known in that organization as the Office of State Police.
The Virginia State Police, officially the Virginia Department of State Police, conceived in 1919 and established in 1932, is the state police force for the U.S. state of Virginia. The agency originated out of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles as an inspector and enforcer of highway laws. It is currently one of fourteen agencies within the Cabinet Secretariat of Public Safety, under the leadership of Secretary Brian Moran until his resignation in January 2022. On January 18, 2018, Gary T. Settle was sworn in as Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. Colonel Settle replaced retiring Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, who had served since 2003.
The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is a department of the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, and the official State Police force of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, responsible for statewide law enforcement. The department was founded in 1948 and replaced the Kentucky Highway Patrol. The department's sworn personnel hold the title State Trooper, and its nickname is The Thin Gray Line.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) is a major state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. A division of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the OHP has traffic enforcement jurisdiction throughout the state. OHP was legislatively created on July 1, 1937, due to the growing problem of motor vehicle collisions, the expansion of highway systems, and the increase in criminal activities.
The Texas Highway Patrol is a division of the Texas Department of Public Safety and is the largest state-level law enforcement agency in the U.S. state of Texas. The patrol's primary duties are enforcement of state traffic laws and commercial vehicle regulation, but it is a fully empowered police agency with authority to enforce criminal law anywhere in the state. Highway patrol troopers are also responsible for patrolling the state Capitol Complex in Austin and providing security to the governor. The current Chief is Lieutenant Colonel Dwight Mathis.
The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) was established in March 1937 in the U.S. state of Georgia and is a division of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. It is the primary state patrol agency for the U.S. state of Georgia. Although focused primarily on the enforcement of traffic laws and investigation of traffic crashes, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) supports the efforts of all public safety agencies to reduce criminal activity, apprehend those involved, and respond to natural and manmade disasters.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is the highway patrol and acting state police agency for the U.S. state of Mississippi, and has law enforcement jurisdiction over the majority of the state.
In the United States, the state police is a police body unique to each U.S. state, having statewide authority to conduct law enforcement activities and criminal investigations. In general, state police officers or highway patrol officers, known as state troopers, perform functions that do not fall within the jurisdiction of a county’s sheriff, such as enforcing traffic laws on state highways and interstates, overseeing security of state capitol complexes, protecting governors, training new officers for local police forces too small to operate an academy and providing technological and scientific services. They also support local police and help to coordinate multi-jurisdictional task force activity in serious or complicated cases in states that grant full police powers statewide.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
