Marine Patrol Officer

.

A bureau of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, the Maine Marine Patrol provides law enforcement, search and rescue, maritime security, and public safety services on Maine's coastal tidal waters.

Today's Patrol Officer is instilled with the same philosophy that guided "Wardens" 100 years ago, which is to be impartial, and to work in close cooperation with fishermen, businesses, and residents of Maine's coastal communities.

This is investigative and protective services work involving the enforcement of marine resource conservation law, rules, regulations, and other laws within the jurisdiction of the Maine Marine Patrol. Responsibilities include patrolling an assigned coastal area by land, aboard patrol vessels, and aircraft, protecting marine resources, coastal property, and the public; enforcing applicable laws; and investigating complaints and incidents.

In order to qualify, you must:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• be at least 21 years old by the time of appointment to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy -OR- can be only 20 years old and have completed an associate’s degree or 60 credit hours of post-secondary education.
• have successfully passed the Maine Criminal Justice Academy's Physical Fitness Test (PFT) within the past year; (see below for scheduling)
• Candidates must have no criminal or extensive motor vehicle record. Proof of age (e.g. legible copy of birth certificate or driver's license) and a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent MUST accompany your application.
• have or be able to obtain a valid Maine Class C motor vehicle operator's license;
• MPOs are responsible for identifying buoy colors in order to work cases and testify in court proceedings.

Maine Marine Patrol Officers are required to attend the MCJA Basic Law Enforcement Officer Training Program; an 18-week training session required of all full-time certified law enforcement officers in Maine. The current BLETP entrance requirement, as well as additional information on the curriculum, can be found on the Maine Department of Public Safety's MCJA website HERE.

1. Murder;

2. Any Class A, Class B, or Class C crime or attempted crime, or conviction;

3. Any Class D crime or attempted crime, or conviction (including OUI);

4. Any Class E crime or attempted crime, or conviction for which the crime is contained in Chapter 15 (Theft), Chapter 19 (Falsification in Official Matters), Chapter 25 (Bribery and Corrupt Practices), Chapter 29 (Forgery and Related Offenses), Chapter 31 (Offenses Against Public Administration), Chapter 35 (Prostitution and Public Indecency), Chapter 41 (Criminal Use of Explosives and Related Crimes), or Chapter 45 (Drugs) of the Maine Criminal Code, Title 17-A, Maine Revised Statutes;

5. Conduct specified in 1, 2, 3, or 4 above in another state or other jurisdiction, unless the conduct is not classified as a crime in that state or jurisdiction;

6. Guilty plea pursuant to a deferred disposition of Murder, or any crime classified in state law as a Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D crime or violation of any provision of Title 17-A, Chapter 15, 19, 25, 29, 31, 35, 41, or 45;

7. Have been found guilty of any crime that is a violation of the domestic abuse provisions of any state or federal statutes;

8. Juvenile adjudication of murder or any crime or attempted crime classified in state law as a Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D crime;

9. Conviction of or adjudication as a juvenile of a crime specified in paragraph 8 in another state or other jurisdiction, unless that crime is not punishable as a crime under the laws of that state or other jurisdiction in which it occurred;

10. Any other conviction of a crime or attempted crime in another state or other jurisdiction that prohibits the same unlawful conduct described above;

11. Engaged in illegal drug use beyond what is considered as experimental;

12. Are currently abusing drugs or alcohol; or

13. Falsify or misrepresent a material fact when interviewed during the Background Investigation, or the Polygraph Examination, or on the Pre-polygraph questionnaire.

Because of the responsibilities and authority of a Marine Patrol Officer, the examination and selection process is extensive and thorough. The complete testing process consists of multiple evaluation phases.

Typical duties include, but are not limited to:

• →Observes and checks activities, licenses, permits and catches of commercial fishermen, processors, and wholesale and retail seafood dealers including stopping trucks and vehicles engaged in interstate and intrastate commerce in order to enforce the law.
• →Operates a patrol boat along the coast, investigates boating accidents, and conducts search and rescue operations for drowning victims, missing persons, and lost boats in order to perform patrol duties and protect people and property.
• →Inspects both commercial fishing and recreational boats for proper safety equipment, compliance with boating regulations and licenses.
• →Works commercial activity at wharves and boat landings where this activity is prevalent.
• →Issues warnings, makes arrest, gathers evidence, and testifies in court in order to enforce laws, rules, and regulations, as well as assist in the prosecution of offenders.
• →Confers with the federal, state, county, local enforcement, and conservation agencies in order to coordinate activities and provide assistance.
• →Investigates complaints, observes incidents of law violation, and other problems in order to further marine resource conservation, protect property, and foster good public relations.
• →Patrols and visits clam flats, brooks, streams, and salmon rivers in order to check for illegal fishing, harvest, and catches, or unlicensed operations.
• →Administers assistance and first aid when necessary to accident victims.
• →Completes and submits required reports and paperwork.
• →Remains updated on current training techniques and opportunities.

Requirements to successfully perform the work are:

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to and enforced by the Department
• Knowledge of the departmental policies and standard operating procedures
• Knowledge of search and rescue methods and techniques
• Knowledge of the equipment and gear used in coastal fishing and recreational boating
• Knowledge of fish and marine life and their environment and habits in Maine coastal waters
• Ability to qualify with and maintain firearms
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to use and maintain patrol equipment
• Ability to work without immediate supervision
• Ability to endure strenuous physical activity often over difficult terrain or in adverse weather
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the fishing community
• Ability to quickly assess available facts and make sound decisions