How to become a police officer in Maine
In Maine, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) Board of Trustees, Maine Department of Public Safety sets the statewide standards; the credential is Full-time Law Enforcement Officer certification (Certificate of Eligibility). At the Portland Police Department, new hires start at $69,160 a year, rising to $88,858 after about 18 years. You must be at least 21.
Pay at the Portland Police Department
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Portland Police Department, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $69,160 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $88,858 |
| Years to top | 18 |
| Scale effective | 2026-07-05 |
Portland police contract pay plan (column effective July 5, 2026), hourly × 2080.
Source:[content.civicplus.com]
Pay for this work across Maine
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Maine, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 2,120 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $55,930 |
| Median pay | $67,050 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $91,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 21
- Education: High school graduate, or GED with no part below 35 and an average of at least 45 across all 5 parts
- Age 20 is allowed with an associate's degree or 60 credit hours of post-secondary education
- No convictions for Murder or Class A, B, C or D crimes, or for violations of Maine Criminal Code chapters 15, 19, 25 or 45 (agency may request a Board waiver after a written conditional job offer)
- State and federal criminal records check by fingerprint (SBI and FBI)
- Valid driver's license; a Maine license within the time limits of Maine law
- Medical certificate signed by a licensed physician; must meet Board physical fitness standards
- Reading and writing test; background investigation (good moral character); polygraph; psychological evaluation by a licensed psychologist; oral interview
- Full-time officers must complete the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program within 12 months of appointment (Ch. 5 rule)
Source:[www11.maine.gov]
Hiring process
- Application to a hiring agency (or MCJA tuition-student application)
- Reading and writing test (Alert Test)
- Background investigation and fingerprint records check
- Polygraph examination
- Psychological evaluation
- Oral interview
- Medical certificate
- Physical fitness test at 40th percentile before academy entry
- 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (720 hours)
- Agency submits Notice of Employment and firearms qualification for certification
Source:[www11.maine.gov]
Entrance exam
Alert Test (MCJA entrance reading and writing test). MCJA FAQ: applicants must take and pass the Alert Test. During BLETP each student must pass all weekly and major academic exams with at least 75% and keep a 75% cumulative average (Ch. 5 Specification S-1). Out-of-state waiver candidates must pass a Certification Exam.[www11.maine.gov]
Required training
720 hours minimum, 18 weeks. MCJA FAQ: 'an intensive 18 week, 720 hour residential program' (Monday-Friday, home on weekends). Ch. 5 rule: the BLETP curriculum approved by the Board is 720 hours and may be delivered in 18 to 20 weeks. Physical fitness exit standard at the 50th percentile. Tuition students pay their own costs.[maine.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) - PLD Consolidated Plan, Special Plan 3C
- Benefit formula: 2/3 (66.67%) of average final compensation (average of three highest years) after 25 years of service, plus 2.0% of AFC for each year of service beyond 25 (PLD Special Plan 3C)
- When you can retire: 25 years of creditable service regardless of age (Special Plan 3C)
Source:[content.civicplus.com]