Stakeholder Group members after presenting to the Criminal Justice & Public Safety legislative committee: l to r - Ret. AG Detective Mike Pulire, Sergeant Ryan Close-Franklin County SO, Dr. Jamie Wren-Margaret Chase Smith Center, Laura Feaga, NP - Healing Partners, Executive Director Kevin Andersan-MSLEA and MAP Executive Director, Paul Gaspar

On Monday morning, the Stakeholder Group to Examine and Improve the Recruitment, Retention, and Wellness of Law Enforcement Officers presented its full report to the Maine Legislature’s Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. 

This report is the culmination of over 8 months' effort by the stakeholder group. However, its success is in no small way possible because of the 736 Maine active, retired, cadets and criminal justice students who participated in the Group’s “State of the State” online survey. Your voice was clearly heard through the survey, and we have been told by our partner survey analysts from the Margaret Chase Smith Center, that it is an incredible response within a 30-day period by all standards.

Without that participation, this report would not exist.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Group, its work, and its findings are unprecedented and the first of its kind in Maine. There could not have been a more focused, dedicated and impassioned group of people from many disciplines that came together for a single purpose.

Although it was created by an act of legislation, the creation of committees or working groups has an often-maligned perception as a lot of wind, but no effect. In this case, however, the entire experience proved we very much had the right purpose, with the right people, at the right time.

It shows that the men and women of Maine Law Enforcement and their families have desperately wanted a safe, secure way to express the very concerns that have otherwise gone unasked or drowned out by rhetoric and politics. The Group is grateful for it.

As MAP’s executive director, I was fortunate to have been selected to be a representative to the Stakeholder Group. Additionally, I was extremely honored to have been elected as its Chair and represent the work that was undertaken. I absolutely count the experience, my fellow stakeholders and the effort to change the landscape of how our profession is valued as one of the greatest achievements of my time in and around law enforcement.

I cannot adequately express my grateful thanks to MAP’s board of directors, our members and the incredible people I was fortunate to work with on this groundbreaking project. I would also like to thank the esteemed members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee for their support of both the bill creating this project and unanimously recommending legislation supporting ALL 13 recommendations in the Stakeholder report. 

I encourage you to download and read a copy of the report, HERE. https://www.maineassociationofpolice.com/Full%20Report%20of%20the%20Stakeholder%20Group%20on%20Recruitment,%20Retention%20and%20Wellness.pdf

You’ll be doing it for our brother and sister officers, our retirees, our next generation of leaders, and those who wish to answer our calling in the future. 

Most importantly, you will be reading it for yourself and your families.

Stay safe, check in and watch out for each other. - PG

June 21st, 2024 - 8:30 PM

The Maine Association of Police (MAP) stands with its members from the Lewiston Police Patrol Union, our entire membership, and all of our brothers and sisters throughout the state in supporting their statement on the continued failure of our state’s criminal justice system. 

It is our hope that our fellow Maine citizens, hearing from the “Boots on the ground”; the dedicated men and women of Maine Law Enforcement and all first responders, are afforded a clearer picture of the very real and present system failures that result in your community’s first responders being the final line of defense in your safety and wellbeing.

In the wake of tragedies, fueled by a wanton press, political posturing and a voraciously uninformed social media landscape, there is an immediate and visceral reaction of “How could this have happened?”. The experiences reflected in our members of the Lewiston Police Patrol Union and other law enforcement associations is a fatal microcosm of what is being experienced throughout the State of Maine and indicative of the steady decline in the cautious and common-sense fielding of our criminal justice system within the bounds of our state law, United States, and State of Maine Constitutions. The same oath that is assumed by ALL representatives of our criminal justice system, swearing on oath and full-fledged allegiance to serve, protect and defend these resolute documents and the laws behind them meant to provide for the order and safety of our cities, towns and state.

It has become clear that in efforts to address social justice issues through political agendas and overzealous constituencies, we have over corrected, portraying Maine as equally awash in upheaval as Washington State, Missouri and Minnesota. The legislature, without seeking input from Maine’s first responders, forwarded a disproportionate, national narrative to pursue matters such as bail reform, decriminalization and a halt to prosecuting misdemeanor, or quality of life crimes that do not correlate to this state. 

Enabled by the efforts of small cabals of a partisan legislature, district attorneys and efforts by locally elected government officials, this chase of a national narrative has led us down a road by which we are sacrificing the tenets of our oath for some, at the very real expense of so many other Maine citizens. 

As a representative of just one cog in this system, first responders are exasperated, disillusioned, anxious and fearful of the tremendous weight that has been placed on their adherence to our oaths in serving their communitas, which makes them question how these influences have markedly and concernedly lessened the adherence to it by other representatives of our shared system and responsibilities.

Maine Law Enforcement, as well as our fellow first responders, are being forced to shore up a system that allows criminal cases to be “cherry-picked” by defense attorneys rather than ensuring that an individual has access to rights that are the basis for their accountability in the criminal justice process. The 6th amendment, as enshrined in the US Constitution, reads;

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."– From Congress.Gov, US Constitution

This represents a clear failure by our legislature in allowing this which is the genesis of an individual’s sixth amendment right to counsel; not by choice, but required to be guaranteed by

both our Constitutions as well as our lawmakers, judicial system representatives as well as the state executives that appoint them. 

Many Maine citizens may be under the impression, and expectedly so, that the term “You have a right to an attorney” is a mandate, and not the whim or choice of a court or it’s representatives, nor should it impede, the such as in the Auburn tragedy, impede an individual’s right to the other tenets of the sixth amendment which is exactly what was the very avoidable process that was not fielded in expediently addressing the incredibly apparent history and safety risk posed by Leein Hinkley after his staggeringly inexplicable third appearance before the court. 

This degeneration of access to the rights of the accused has a direct correlation to the health and safety of victims, our communities and first responders. No matter in what community you reside, we are certain and without doubt, that the outright stress, anxiety and a perceived lack of support has had a cumulative and insidious effect on your police, fire, EMS and dispatchers and their families. 

Our frustration and support of our fellow law enforcement brothers and sisters throughout the state is not a means to excoriate specific individuals or representatives of Maine’s criminal justice system. It stems from the Maine Association of Police’s long history in being a voice for Maine law enforcement. Since 1975, MAP has been one of the few state-rooted associations at the forefront of any legislative or partnership affecting all law enforcement throughout the state; as our founding members have engrained in us that, above all else, we stand and fall together, regardless of who we pay dues to and at the end of the day, loyalty and truth to each other is everything. 

In short, tragedy should not be the bar by which we come to the realization that immutable change must be a priority for all that lend themselves as officers of the court, servants of the criminal justice system and those like Maine’s First Responders, who are the ultimate bulwark to the successes and failures of this entire Maine criminal justice system. 

MAP has always strived to be accessible as a resource or participant in productive as well as committed partnerships as a nonpartisan independent organization. As an organization committed to doing what’s right for our members and fellow first responders, there is no place for political parties, only those who support or wish to have a meaningful understanding of what Maine’s finest face on behalf of all citizens and not constituencies.

To that end, we invite and challenge our fellow organizations, legislative leadership, Governor Mills, the Maine Bar, Prosecutors and the Maine Judicial Court System to collectively and without passion or prejudice, come together to effect immediate and meaningful change. A basic and crucial tenet in police leadership is that we can no longer practice a “Top Down” approach in which decisions are made in a vacuum without input from those who will be affected by them. It can only be in a bottom-up structure that is based on the experience and input from the Boots on the Ground that affects ANY kind of realistic and mechanically sound policy.

However well-intentioned, we can no longer allow our members to be affected at the side of the road at two in the morning or when the frantic 911 call comes by the Top-Down approach of lawmakers, to courts, to attorneys and then to the end users that are first responders. Until this changes in any earnest way, we can no longer claim Maine as the place where it is truly “The Way Life Should Be”.

Paul Gaspar

Executive Director

Maine Association of Police

Victory!

On behalf of MAP's board of directors, I am proud to announce that LD 2094 - "Resolve, to Require the Establishment of a Stakeholder Group to Examine and Improve the Recruitment, Retention and Wellness of Law Enforcement Officers" has been signed and put into effect by Governor Mills! This will mean that this important work will proceed with the formation of a stakeholder group and its subsequent study and report to the Maine Legislature in 2025. 

As MAP's executive director, I cannot express what this small victory represents, not only for MAP and its partner members in the Maine Law Enforcement Coalition, but the thousands of first responders and their families that will hopefully be impacted by the results of this important work. I can tell you that MAP, its partners, and supporters are eager to participate in this stakeholder group, and begin a path to a restoration of our ranks, but more importantly, a clear, consistent and immediately responsive process to helping first responders and their families experiencing crises in their professional and personal lives. We have fallen too far behind in this endeavor and are compelled by sheer need and determination to ensure the improvements to our profession and address the toll it takes on our brothers and sisters throughout Maine.

Please join the MAP Board of Directors and I in celebrating this important advancement and thanking the many people responsible for its conception and existence following this long and contentious legislative session! 

To see/download a copy of the final resolve, go to:

https://legislature.maine.gov/.../ser.../getDocument.aspx...

As always: Stay safe, check in and watch out for each other! - PG

MAP would like to thank the following on this momentous occasion;

The Bill Sponsors;

• President Troy D. Jackson, D - Aroostook

• Representative Janice S. Dodge, D - Belfast

• Senator Pinny Beebe-Center, D - Knox

• Senator Craig Hickman, D - Kennebec

• Senator Bradlee Thomas Farrin, R - Somerset

• Senator Matthew A. Harrington, R - York

• Senator Glenn Curry, D - Waldo

• Senator Margaret Rotundo, D - Androscoggin

The Supporting Members of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee - (with special thanks to Rep. Michael Lajoie and Sen. Matthew Harrington for their unwavering support);

Rep. Donald Ardell 

Sen. Anne Beebe-Center 

Sen. Matthew Harrington 

Sen. David LaFountain 

Rep. Michel Lajoie 

Rep. Daniel Newman 

Rep. Robert Nutting 

Rep. Chad Perkins 

Rep. Suzanne Salisbury

Our Consultants;

Walton External Affairs

Tim Walton/ Walton External Affairs

Jon Courteny

Peter Connell

Julie Smith

The Maine Law Enforcement Coalition Partners;

Maine State Law Enforcement Association

Maine State Troopers Association

Maine Lodge; Fraternal Order of Police

Please welcome our new Board of Directors Officers!

On behalf of the MAP Board of Directors, I would like to recognize and welcome several of our individual members who have been elected to the Board at our annual meeting which was held on March 20^th, 2024. I’d also like to thank the many member unit representatives who were able to join us as it’s member participation that drives our organization!

We especially appreciate and are grateful to the following members who will be on your board of directors, filling much needed roles.

MAP Vice President – Jacob Webster, Portland PD

MAP Vice President – Craig Johnson, Lewiston PD

MAP Secretary Treasurer – Ernie MacVane, Windham PD

Please join us in welcoming and supporting Jacob, Craig and Ernie for their service to MAP and for helping us keep what makes MAP great on track for all our members throughout Maine.

The Board would also like to extend its appreciation and gratitude to outgoing Vice President Chris Todd from South Portland PD. Chris has served on the board for over 12 years and not only distinguished himself during his long tenure, but has also played a significant role in directing and guiding our organization during our successes and challenges. Thank you, Chris, and please know that this comes with all the sentiments of our members as well.

Over the next several weeks, we will be getting the new board members settled in and will then be sending their contact information so that local units will know who their assigned Vice President is as well as being able to share the information so that their unit members can update their MAP street reference guides. Thank you for your patience during this process and if there is an immediate need, please contact me, President Kevin Riordan, or Vice President’s Jonathan Barnes or Shane Stephenson, who are currently in the street reference guide.

As always, thank you for your membership and support as it drives us to continue to offer the best representation and concern for you and your families. Our founding members knew in 1975, that a “By Cops, For Cops”, Maine only group, was what’s best for Maine’s LEO’s and Dispatchers.

Stay safe, check in and watch out for each other,

Paul Gaspar

MAP Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: May 1^st, 2023 CONTACT: Paul Gaspar (207) 767-2558; admin@maineassociationofpolice.com

New poll shows broad public support of local law enforcement in Maine.

The Fall 2022 Critical Insights survey finds that 84% of Mainers have a positive view of law enforcement.

Attached is the summary of findings of the Critical Insights survey.

MLEC Media Release

MLEC Poll Tables

MLEC Graphs

Augusta, MAINE – The Maine Law Enforcement Coalition (MLEC) is pleased to share the results of a new poll that finds a large majority of Mainers hold a positive view of law enforcement in the State of Maine.

The survey included 620 respondents from across the state over the phone and online. All survey respondents were registered voters who live in Maine. The results show that 84% of Mainers have an overall positive view of law enforcement.

Additionally, over three quarters (77%) of surveyed voters believe law enforcement contributes to the moderate to high levels of safety in Maine, and a total of ninety-two percent (92%) of voters in Maine believe the state’s shortage of law enforcement officers should be a priority for lawmakers.

This indicates overall broad public support of Maine’s law enforcement community and shows that Maine people know law enforcement is a major factor in keeping their communities safe.

“A supermajority of Mainers say they have full faith in their local law enforcement officers,” said Kevin Anderson of the Maine Law Enforcement Association (MSLEA), “This shows that we have earned the trust of the communities in which our members are active. Maine law enforcement professionals should be proud that the Maine people have their back.”

“When just under 100 percent of voters are saying the legislature should be focusing on the law enforcement shortage here in Maine and more than half are saying it should be a major priority, our elected officials should be listening, said Joel Wilkinson of the Maine Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). “Lawmakers ought to be proposing ways in which we can recruit and encourage Mainers to enter a law enforcement profession.”

“We are proud that the people of Maine are able to separate their opinions about the national conversations surrounding policing from their own experiences with local, Maine law enforcement,” added Paul Gaspar of the Maine Association of Police (MAP). “It shows that they truly represent MAINE’S experience with the high caliber of men and women serving their communities, and NOT the national or political party narratives or representations used to engender dangerous and unnecessary policy.”

“This poll is a true representation of how Maine citizens view our Law Enforcement Officers,” said Joe Bureau, President of the Maine State Troopers Association.  “Maine Troopers, alongside all Maine Law Enforcement Officers, rely on community support to be successful in our public safety mission.  We need the same from our lawmakers as we receive from our citizens to collectively meet the challenges we are faced with daily.  Staffing shortages and initiatives to address these needs have to continue to be a priority."

About the Maine Law Enforcement Coalition (MLEC): MLEC is made up of the four labor unions below representing a wide variety of Maine law enforcement professionals.

The Maine State Law Enforcement Association (MSLEA) acts as the bargaining agent for member agencies in the state of Maine Law Enforcement Bargaining Unit. MSLEA has a 16 member, all-volunteer, Board of Directors and Officers and approximately 400 officers from 12 state law enforcement groups including: Attorney General Detective; Adult Probation Officer; Capitol Police Officer; Department of Corrections Investigator; Game Warden; Fire Investigator; Forest Ranger; Juvenile Community Corrections Officer; Marine Patrol Officer; Motor Vehicle Detective; Military Security Police; and Judicial Marshals. The primary mission of MSLEA is to protect and preserve the collective bargaining rights, job related civil liberties and labor destiny of Association membership, to ensure fair and equitable treatment of the MSLEA membership in matters arising from administrative investigations and employment related disciplinary actions. Additional responsibilities are to draft and support legislation to benefit State law enforcement and member agencies, to anticipate trends and develop training opportunities to ensure that the State’s law enforcement agencies have the faith of the people they serve through ethical conduct commensurate with the Code of Ethics for modern law enforcement officers.

The Maine Association of Police (MAP) MAP was established in 1975 by a small group of local police associations. The mission of this group of individual associations was to self-govern and on the local and state level, advocate for the safety and working conditions of Maine full time municipal police officers and public safety dispatchers. MAP now represents 47 local associations in their respective municipalities spanning a membership of approximately 950 members in addition to a dedicated association of law enforcement retirees. MAP works cooperatively with our municipalities to represent our members in many facets of their profession, including collective bargaining, legal and legislative representation, and training in state, as well as federal labor law. It has, and will continue to be, our goal to work proactively and professionally in forwarding the cause of our members and the protection of the citizens and communities they serve.

The Maine State Troopers Association (MSTA) was established in 1971 and since then has been the sole registered bargaining agent for its members. Any sworn member of the Maine State Police below the rank of lieutenant can be a member. MSTA currently has 250 members comprised of Troopers, Corporals, Sergeants, Detectives, Polygraph Examiners, Pilots, and Specialists. The purpose for which this Association is formed is the following: 1) To represent and act as bargaining agent in matters of wages, hours and other working conditions and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection of and for the members of the Maine State Troopers Association; 2) To promote and develop a friendly and fraternal spirit among all of the members of the Bureau of State Police (hereinafter called the “State Police”); 3) To mitigate the hazards of our work; 4)To preserve and foster good will with the citizens of and all people in the State of Maine and to encourage cooperative understandings and agreements with all organizations, agencies and officers of the government concerned with the State Police in the State of Maine for the mutual benefit of its members and the improvement of the public service.

The Maine Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) proudly represents over 850 sworn municipal and county law enforcement officers from York County to Aroostook County. Our primary role is to provide professional labor services regarding negotiating collective bargaining agreements and providing legal support for its members. We are committed to improving the safety and working conditions of law enforcement officers and the profession through all legal and ethical means in an effort to further build upon the confidence of the public in the service dedicated to the protection of life and property. We are part of the National Fraternal Order of Police which represents more than 330,000 sworn law enforcement officers across the country in more than 2,200 lodges.

Awards Conferred at the 23rd Annual Maine Association of Police Awards Dinner

The Board of Directors of the Maine Association of Police is proud to announce the following individuals as those being conferred with awards at the 22nd Annual Maine Association of Police Awards Banquet on January 27th, 2024.

We would also like to extend our special thanks to the following for helping make the MAP Awards Banquet a success;

Chris Gower: Ben’s Uniforms

Annemarie Napolitano: Admiral Fire and Safety

Ron Doucette, Anchor Engraving
Maine Public Safety Pipes and Drums
Kim McDonough & Staff: The Portland Elks Club

Jim Fahey

Our Members and Retirees

 
Please join us in celebrating the incredible service of these officers, civilians, and businesses as well as all of Maine's First Responders. Congratulations and Incredible Service on Behalf of the Citizens and State of Maine!

Business Recognition Award:

Wellness Center of Maine

Healing Partners Psychiatric Services

James Durant Civilian Recognition Award:

Jodi McGary, LCSW

Laura Feaga, MSN, PMHNP-BC

Jason Miller, LCPC

Karen Smith, LCSW

David W. Pickering Chiefs Award:

Chief Sean Lally, Westbrook PD

President’s Recognition Award:

Sgt. Ryan Close, Franklin County SO

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Officer Douglas Maifeld, Rumford PD

Heroism Award:
 

Officer Spencer Simoneau, Lewiston PD

Sergeant Donald Miller, Rumford, PD

Corporal Robert Angelo, Ellsworth PD

Officer James Hassard, Ellsworth PD

Sergeant David Bruni, Gorham PD

Sergeant Michael Coffin, Gorham PD

Chief Kenneth Fickett, Gorham Fire Department

Officer of the Year Awards:

The Men and Women of the Lewiston Police Department

Communications Officer of the Year Award:

Dispatcher Aaron Stewart, Wells PD

Larry Gross Cop’s Cop Awards:

Detective Philip Robinson, Westbrook PD

Meritorious Service Awards:

Detective Jon Stearns

The Men and Women of the Lewiston Auburn 911 Center

Officer Taylor Stroup, Gorham PD

Lifesaving Awards:

Corporal Brian Beauparlant, Lewiston PD

Corporal Cody Hogan, Old Orchard Beach PD

Wayne “Pooch” Drown School Resource Officer Awards:

Officer Caleb Gray, South Portland PD

Special Recognition/Donation from MAP Charities:

The Maine Military Museum & Learning Center, South Portland; $500.00

Larry Gross Cops' Cop Award

2022 – Andrew Flynn, (Scarborough PD)

2021 – Les Smith (Portland PD)

2020 - Robert Susi (Falmouth PD, Ret.)

2017 - Jeff Hawkins (Portland PD)

2016 - John Desjardins (Westbrook PD)

2015 - Robert Morin (Lewiston PD)

2014 - Paul Fenton (Cape Elizabeth PD)

2013 - Steve Webster (South Portland PD)

2012 - Christopher St. Pierre (Old Orchard Beach PD)

2011 - Jeffrey Bearce (Waterville PD)

2010 - Richard Vogel (Portland PD)

2009 - Kevin Riordan (Old Orchard Beach PD)

2008 - Bangor Police Department

2007 - Larry Gross (Posthumously)

2006 - Sean Lally (Westbrook PD)

2005 - Dana Thompson (Gorham PD)

2004 - Kevin Haley (Portland PD)

2003 - Steve Lyons (Westbrook PD)

2002 - Jeff McCue/Jim Fahey (So. Portland PD)

2001 - Dan Young (Portland PD)

2000 - Don Goulet (Brunswick PD)

Officer of the Year Award

2022 – Les Smith (Portland PD)

2021 – Jim Fearon (Old Town PD, Ret.)

2020 - The Men and Women of the Farmington Police Department

2017 - Brad Gallant (Rumford PD)

2016 - William Bonney (Waterville Police Department)

2015 - Jason Joiner (Buxton Police Department)

2014 - Gino Bianchini (Freeport Police Department)

2013 - Tracey Higley (Rumford Police Department)

2012 - Jason Burke (Windham PD)

2011 - Ken Cronin (South Portland PD) 

2010 - Terry Goan (Brunswick PD)

2009 - Larry Morrill (Bangor PD)

2008 - Randall Parsons (Bangor PD, Posthumously)

2007 - Tom Donahue (Houlton PD)

2006 - Robert Libby (South Portland PD)

2005 - Paul Gaspar (Cape Elizabeth PD)

2004 - Amy Gagne (Sanford PD)

2003 - Kevin Riordan (OOB PD)

2002 - New York PD/Port Authority PD

2001 - Mark Day (Lewiston PD, Posthumously)

2000 - Jim Sweatt (Portland PD)

Lifetime Achievement

2022 – Janine Roberts

2020 - Robert Libby (South Portland PD, Ret.)

2017 - Brad Paul (Saco PD, Ret.)

2016 - Steven Webster (South Portland Police Department)

2015 - Ronald Shepard (Gorham PD, Ret.)

2014 Harold Trask (Saco PD, Ret.)

2013 - Jim Fahey (South Portland PD)

2012 - Kevin Schofield (Brunswick PD, Ret.)

2011 Wayne Coffin (Gorham PD)

2010 - Deputy Chief (Ret.) Gordon L. Littlefield (Sanford PD)

2009 - James Rioux (Lewiston PD, Posthumously)

2008 - Linda Barker (South Portland PD)

2007 - Michael Sanphy (Westbrook PD)

2006 - Donald Goulet (Brunswick PD, ret.)

2005 - Bill Troubh (Troubh/Heisler, PA)

2004 - Ron Damon (South Portland PD)

2003 - John Reed (Gorham PD, Posthumously)

2002 - Billy Hogan (Portland PD)

2001 - Mike Walsh (Cape Elizabeth PD)

2000 - Gerard "Butch" Guimond (South Portland PD)

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William B. Troubh Leadership

2022 – Daniel Tourtelotte (Maine State Law Enforcement Assoc.)

2021 – Travis and Kelsey Mills (Travis Mills Foundation)

All Maine Heroes Remembered