The Maine State Police is always on the lookout for qualified people interested in joining the brave group of men and women who have dedicated their careers to serving the public. If you think you have what it takes to fight crime in the state, you might want to continue reading the following document on how to become a police officer in Maine.
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Crime Situation in Maine
In 2017, the Maine State Police reported one violent crime every 5.5 hours, with a rape crime being committed every 19 hours and 33 minutes. Property crimes happened every 26 minutes with motor vehicle theft taking place every 11 hours and four minutes. Violent crime decreased by 4.7% from 2016 to 2017 and property crime rate decreased by 8.5% in the same year in Maine. This improving crime situation can be attributed to the hard work of the Maine police officers. Join them in this cause and contribute towards making your state an even safer place to live.
Requirements to Become a Police Officer in Maine
The Maine State Police lists down the following requirements to join the department:
- Candidate must be at least 21 years of age before entering the Basic Law Enforcement Training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy
- Candidate must have a high school diploma or a GED Certificate issued by the State Department of Education
- Candidate must have no criminal record or extensive motor vehicle records
- Candidate must be in a good physical condition to perform the duties of a police officer – this includes meeting the minimum standards set by the department on three counts – 1.5 Mile Run, 1 Min. Sit Ups and 1 Min. Push-Ups.
- Candidate must have a valid driver’s license upon employment
Steps to Become a Police Officer in Maine
Once you have fulfilled the above criteria, you can begin the actual hiring process for becoming a police officer in Maine.
- Clear the ALERT Exam
This exam takes place at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro, Maine, twice every month
- Clear the Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
This is a Pass/Fail test that consists of three exercises, listed in the requirements above
- Have Your Application Reviewed
This is to ensure that all of the minimum requirements are met
- Clear the Oral Board Exam
These take place monthly and evaluate a candidate’s skills in judgment, logic, decision making, tact and diplomacy and communication.
After these steps are cleared, candidates must clear a thorough background investigation, a polygraph exam, a screening committee review, a colonel’s review, a medical evaluation and a psychological exam.
How Much Do Police Officers Make in Maine?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers in Maine made an annual mean income of $49,840 in May 2018.
Career Growth for Police Officers in Maine
According to O*Net Online, Police and Patrol Officers in Maine are expected to experience a growth of 3% between 2016 and 2026, with an annual 140 job openings.
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