The Maine Association of Police (MAP) stands with our members in the Portland Police Benevolent Association (PPBA) who recently issued a statement of concern for the safety of Portland’s citizens and visitors, given the failure of the criminal justice system to control violent and repeat offenders.
This failure also serves to add a palpable and constant hypervigilance, not only for Maine Law Enforcement Officers, but also the families and loved ones they leave when they start their shifts. This is a detrimental and unsustainable trajectory that endangers our communities, its citizens and those first responders entrusted to protect them.
The comments that follow are MAP’s alone however, serve to underscore the global view of these local concerns within our state, our communities and the expectations of reasonable people in the protection of life and property.
These are trying and turbulent times in which there can be no equivocation about the safety and security of our communities and our first responders, who voluntarily place themselves in harm’s way in good faith and credit to their oath.
I can safely say that the concerns expressed by the men and women of the PPBA are echoed and mirrored by our membership across the State of Maine along with their families as well.
It is very easy to forget that first responders are only one part of a greater system of legislative, organizational and those entrusted with the accountability of people who choose to commit crimes and offenses against our fellow citizens. One cannot exist with the efforts of the others; one lag or moment of undue influence on one over the other brings a failing that becomes a debate on who did not hold up their individual oath or responsibility to that system. These are muddied further by the willingness of those individual partners to work in the vacuum of constituencies, political gain and self-preservation or interest.
The Police cannot do the job themselves, nor should they be expected to do so in a functional and communicative system. One cannot exist without the efforts of the other parts, but when failure occurs it is the Police who are looked to first, regardless of fault. All the parts need to be coordinated, and for quite some time now, they are not.
How does this effect law enforcement? The laws that are caused to be made by the political arm of this partnership, often without inviting input or advice from their other claimed partners, such as in law enforcement, breed a potential catastrophe resulting in what we have described above. The laws that are made in the absence of partnership led to a very real and detrimental situation for an individual officer on the side of the road at 2 AM, vs. the sterile and very political environment that is Washington and Augusta. There is no exaggeration in the old adage that every citizen should follow the work of their elected officials to see “how the sausage is made”.
Equally as detrimental are the failure and political reticence of the prosecutorial partner in the criminal justice system to hold individuals accountable after they have been contained by the difficult and dangerous work of police, whether by investigation, summons or arrest.
One thing all the partners have in common, however, is we all share in a failure and lack of resources needed to accomplish the mission of keeping our streets safe.
Organizational and political interests within the arms of the system subject the street level officer to continuous danger fueled by multiple contacts with repeat offenders released under misguided practices that fail law-abiding citizens they are responsible for.
These interests represent a lack of political will in a system in which ALL parts of the system have a duty and expectation of trust with victims and those impacted by the crimes committed against them.
Citizens rightly expect a clear, consistent, and responsive approach to all victims of crime. The Police alone cannot bear the burden of public, legislative, and prosecutorial responsibilities when they are only a part of the system, albeit the part that is placed in danger on every shift.
MAP will not apologize for bringing the perspectives and very real concerns of its members and all our fellow law enforcement officers and their families.
We are quickly coming up to a critical election in both our state and nation. There is no better time for all citizens to use their votes to express their concerns about safety and crime. Yes, it requires work to make educated choices, but it is worth it. One needs to find candidates who will value and act on safety concerns rather than a politically motivated agenda. Demand accountability. Law enforcement officers are subject to extensive and exacting regulations to remain certified. Why would you as a voter not expect the same from all the other partners in the criminal justice system?
In short, you can be a part of your community’s safety and security by being an informed partner, asking questions, and having a votâe as to “how the sausage is made.”
Regardless of the challenges thatâ face us in Maine law enforcement, we will continue to be on the front line for the safety of you, your families, and your communities.
Stay safe, check in and watch out for each other.
Paul Gaspar
Executive Director
Maine Association of Police
