Maine, like many states, requires that a person have an official police position prior to attending a police academy. Therefore, step 1 to becoming a Maine police officer is finding an open position and applying. After applying the police department may schedule a written exam and oral interview. This is to weed down the possible candidates. The test is rather basic, and the oral interview is to get a feel for what type of person a candidate is. They are looking for individuals who uphold the law, are honest, full of integrity, and are solid citizens.
After these steps, a person seeking to become a police officer in Maine will go through a series of other screenings, tests and interviews prior to being selected. Once selected, they will go to a police academy for 18 weeks of training. There is one final test during the academy time that Maine candidates must pass: the ALERT test. The ALERT test is looking again for basic reading, writing and comprehensive skills. If a person graduates the academy and passes all tests and their time in field training is successful they will become a police officer in the state of Maine.
Minimum Requirements for Maine Law Enforcement Jobs
The following lists Maine’s requirements according to Law Enforcement Edu.net:
- You must be a legal U.S. citizen
- You must have a high school diploma or a GED
- Have one or a combination of the following requirements:
- Two years of employment post high school
- Three years of education post high school
- Any combination of the above employment and education after high school that totals three years
- You must have a valid Maine driver’s license
If you possess these requirements you will be permitted to submit an application but it does not ensure that you will be permitted to attempt the steps in order to become an officer in Maine. These are simply the starting point of requirements.
Salaries for Maine Law Enforcement Jobs
The average police officer salary in Maine is about 41,610 a year. This could be more or less depending on the location of the department for which you will work, it also could depend on how much education a candidate or incoming officer has. Detectives and criminal investigators in Maine could make as much as 83,000 a year, but the average is closer to 55,540.
Police Officer Schooling Programs in Maine
Since Maine requires some post high school education or military service from applicants we have included a list of colleges which offer programs in similar fields to law enforcement. This can equip you, possibly give you a leg on the competition as well as help your starting pay.
- Husson University
1 College Circle, Bangor, ME 04401
207-941-7000
- Kaplan University
265 Western Avenue, S Portland, ME 04106
207-774-6126
- Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
278 Whites Bridge Road, Standish, ME 04084
207-892-6766
- Southern Maine Community College
2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106
207-741-5500
- Thomas College
180 W River Road, Waterville, ME 04901
207-859-1111
- University of Maine at Augusta
46 University Drive, Augusta, ME 04330
207-621-3000
- University of Maine at Presque Isle
181 Main Street, Presque Isle, ME 04769
207-768-9400