Brook Hartshorn is a patrol officer with the Camden Police Department. She is the only female police officer with the department and one of the few in Knox County. Hartshorn has served with the department for 13 years as a full-time officer and two years in a part-time capacity.

Hartshorn is a native of Ohio. Her father served in the Navy as his career so she moved several times before relocating to the Midcoast. 

Why did you want to become a first responder?

I wanted to be directly involved in our justice system and help people who cannot help themselves.

What was one of your most notable calls? 

I have been on more than 7,000 calls during my career so far and there are many that stand out in different ways. Police officers wear many hats in the course of their career. You can be a mediator, counselor, parent, protector and also assist with legal and health related issues and much more, all on a regular basis. I feel law enforcement is one of the most complex careers. 

What are the current challenges facing new police officers entering the field?  

I suspect it is different throughout the country; but, if every police officer adhered to the same set of law enforcement core values there would not be any challenges. Those core values are fairness, truthfulness, professionalism, perseverance, treating all with dignity and respect, service before self, and integrity. I learned these values during my training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. 

How has law enforcement changed since you entered the field? 

I entered law enforcement in the later part of 1999. Law enforcement changes as society’s issues change. Police officers conduct themselves and the work they do using policies and procedures, which are basically the rules of how we are to handle each situation. For example, how we handle a domestic violence call has changed. Many years ago, someone who hit their spouse was not always arrested. In turn, the offender was causing severe bodily injury or even death. Police officers now have a mandatory obligation to arrest any and all physical assaults or threats of assault. The bottom line is that as society evolves so do the written polices we follow. 

What is your advice on how a person can stay out of trouble with the law? 

This should be a “no brainer” but is still a difficult one to adhere to. Here we are living in a free country with a million and one fabulous things to do for free and people still complain about being bored and that there is nothing for their kids to do. That is why they take drugs, steal, pillage, and so on. Laws are based mostly on common sense and developed to protect you. There is so much joy, fun, interesting, and cool stuff to do so why would you want to burden yourself with trouble? Nevertheless, we are all humans and everyone makes mistakes and if you do there are always consequences. 

Are there any challenges with being a female police officer? 

The only challenge I have is my size restriction! Thankfully, cruiser car seats are now electric and adjust to my 5’2” frame. You can see by my duty belt I have the equipment that is needed to take care of just about any situation which is an extra 30 pounds I carry with my uniform. But, on a serious note, what was most challenging for me was being a single parent.  

Any closing thoughts?  

Police officers not only sacrifice themselves for others, but for their families, as well. This means dealing with shift work, working holidays, missing special events in your children’s lives and just the fear that something may happen to you while you are doing your job. 

Sarah Shepherd can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com