Maine State Police
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The Maine State Police is the state police agency for Maine, which has jurisdiction across the state. It was created in 1921 to protect the lives, property, and constitutional rights of the citizens of the State of Maine.
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[edit] Training and Qualification Programs
Maine State Troopers go through an intense and rigorous 18-week training period at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro, Maine. The entrace 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 job they are preparing for. After graduation from the MCJA the troopers receive a further 8 weeks of training in State police policies and procedures.
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.
[edit] Specialized Units
The State Police have many specialized units. These include the Highway Patrol, Air Wing, Bomb Squad, K9 Unit, Crisis Negotiations Unit, Underwater Recovery Unit, Criminal Investigations Unit, Motor Vehicle Inspection Program, Motor Vehicle Crash Investigation Program, and Tactical Team.
[edit] Field Troops and Highway Patrol
Maine's State Police Officers (more commonly referred to as "State Troopers" by the locals) patrol from eight different barracks located in seven different areas across the state. Dubbed "Troops," these barracks are:
Troop A - Alfred & Gray - Southern Maine
Troop B - South Portland - Maine Turnpike Patrol
Troop C - Skowhegan - Western Maine
Troop D - Thomaston - Midcoast Maine
Troop E - Orono - Central Maine
Troop F - Houlton - Northern Maine
Troop J - Ellsworth - Downeast Maine
Alternatively, a Troop K operates within the state as well. Troop K is composed of sworn Troopers that enforce the motor vehicle guideline laws set forth by the State of Maine. These Troopers are members of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement unit, and are based out of the state's capital city, Augusta.
[edit] Maine's Chief of State Police
In 2004, Governor John Baldacci named Colonel Craig A. Poulin of China, Maine, the 16th Chief of the State Police. Colonel Poulin is the current Chief of State Police.
[edit] Additional information
Analysis suggests that the high level of risk, stress, and odd hours contribute to strains in marriage. Many Troopers, however, have found effective methods of balancing their home life with their work life, and are very good at separating the two from each other entirely.
[edit] See also
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| States | Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming |
| Federal District | District of Columbia |
| Insular areas | American Samoa • Guam • Northern Mariana Islands • Puerto Rico • U.S. Virgin Islands |
