KNOX COUNTY — “It’s crazy to go from ‘how am I going to cover some shifts’ to ‘wow, we’re fully staffed,’” said Thomaston Police Chief Tim Hoppe.

Not long ago, law enforcement agencies in Knox County were struggling to fill patrol vacancies within their departments. Recently, a new – yet still small – nibble of interest is being seen along the baited lines cast in Knox County, but those lines slacken and tighten continuously along the way.

Rockland PD recently filled a position when they hired a person from Berlin, New Hampshire. Camden PD has three patrol slots vacant, but are in the process of hiring for two of them. Rockport is fully staffed, and the large, multifaceted Knox County Sheriff’s Office is currently orienting two new deputies.

Thomaston

The littlest, and arguably the hardest hit law enforcement department in Knox County, in terms of vacant positions, and having never before had coverage 24 hours per day, Thomaston PD has done a complete 180. The vacancies are filled. Instead of wondering if one Thomaston officer might respond when an emergency arises, the situation might now draw two or more to the scene since two officers are scheduled each day.

In September 2022, Hoppe and the Town of Thomaston proposed a novel approach not yet seen in Maine, promoting a 2-day-on, 5-day-off schedule. At the same time, TPD increased its pay scale beyond what other local agencies were offering.

The department received 19 applications.

“That’s more applications than I’ve ever seen in my entire career,” said Hoppe.

He filled three slots with three certified people in 31 days.

“We’re very fortunate to get some good people working,” he said.

Knox County Sheriff’s Office

Regarding the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, learning the total number of vacancies for the agency depends on the specific question posed, and how that question is framed.

Last year, the deputy division had six open positions. One was filled when Curt Andrick stepped into the Chief Deputy role. Around the same time, a Corrections administrator returned to his true passion of rural policing with the KCSO.

A deputy remains within the department, but has taken a more active role in investigation work. Another position is being held for a deputy who is deployed; however, Sheriff Patrick Polky has been considering temporarily filling that position.

Two new deputies are orienting to the KCSO. One moved here from Virginia to care for local family members. The other is from Belfast and wishes to begin his career in a familiar environment in which he feels comfortable.

Then there are the contract island towns. North Haven has been doing well in keeping a deputy on that island, however, the amount of calls per year is less than 100, and most of them are public relations and/or reports generated by the deputy. Vinalhaven is a different story.

“We found that mainland positions are much easier to fill, in comparison to our contract position, though we’re trying to figure out why,” said Polky. “Other than it’s just a remote location, we can’t really figure out why people wouldn’t want to come and take those positions.”

The KCSO has worked with Vinalhaven on incentive packages, such as housing and stipends, and has also considered adding a second position for when the primary deputy needs time off.

The KCSO also has units assigned to Knox Regional Airport, providing airport security and assistance to the TSA. A former Waldoboro officer nearing retirement after 20-plus years in a patrol cruiser recently filled one of those two slots, working four 10-hour days opposite a part-time unit working three 10-hour days.

So, in total, two open island positions exist, as well as one mainland position. Yet everything remains in constant flux.

Three applicants to the Corrections Department are in the hiring process for one of up to 10 vacancies within the 28-person unit.

The Department aims to prioritize filling the floor staff before filling support personnel and upper level retirements. It’s not a lack of applicants. Many from all over the state have applied. A few discontinued when they learned that the job wasn’t what they thought it was. Some quit after realizing that the career wasn’t for them. And several would have stayed, had they found housing or affordable housing.

“We’re still doing well to stay at the number we’re at, of six,” said Polky. “We’ve probably been through at least 12 individuals who gave it a shot and couldn’t make it work.”

Similar to the patrol side, those who stay have connections to the area and have a relatively doable commute.

The KCSO promotes their openings on Indeed, Facebook, Instagram, and through public relations, as well as through the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, Maine Municipal Association, and Maine County Commissioners Association.