Department of Public Safety
The Department of Public Safety oversees the State of Maine’s public safety bureaus to ensure efficient delivery of the services those agencies provide. These public safety bureaus include: Capitol Police, Consolidated Emergency Communications, Maine Criminal Justice Academy, Drug Enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Marshal's Office, Gambling Control, Highway Safety, and Maine State Police. The Department of Public Safety also consists of Management Office and Legal personnel. The advisory Maine Justice Assistance Council was established to provide comprehensive strategic planning and policy direction and to obtain regular guidance and advice from knowledgeable criminal justice practitioners, victim service providers, key stakeholders, and advocates to the Department. We welcome you to explore each of our Bureaus.
John E. Morris, Commissioner
45 Commerce Drive, Suite 1
104 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0104
Phone: (207) 626-3805
Fax: (207) 287-3042
TTY: (888) 524-7900
Mission Statement
To serve the people of Maine by providing, coordinating, and leading a responsive and comprehensive Public Safety System to protect their lives, rights, and properties
Directions to the Department Jump to Bureau DescriptionsFY 18 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Application
The public is invited to review and comment on the state’s application for FY18 funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The Maine Department of Public Safety (DPS) anticipates approximately $929,808 in funding. Once funds are awarded, the Maine Justice Assistance Council will make award decisions. The major focus of the state’s application will be to prevent and control drug crime and support local law enforcement needs. The application for funding will be submitted to the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U. S. Department of Justice. The grant application is available for review at Byrne Jag FY 18 Application. Comments and/or questions should be directed to: Tracy Poulin or Maine Department of Public Safety, 104 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0104, Phone: 207-624-7209, FAX: 207-287-3042.
Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Annual Report 2017
Bureau Descriptions
Capitol Police
The major objectives of the Bureau are ensuring the safety of members of the legislature, staff, employees and visitors; and the security of the State buildings and property for the complexes to which the Capitol Police provide police service.
Go back to the top of the page.Consolidated Emergency Communications
Provides a consolidated emergency communications to state, county and local public safety agencies. With three Regional Communications Centers (RCC), Consolidated Emergency Communications provides both enhanced 911 and emergency dispatch services for police, fire and emergency medical services. The RCCs provide dispatching services for State Police, Maine Warden Service, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, State Fire Marshal’ s Office, Maine Turnpike Authority, and the Departments of Marine Resources, Environmental Protection and Maine Forest Rangers. In addition, the Regional Communications Centers provide dispatch services for dozens of fire, rescue, police, and ambulance services across Maine.
Go back to the top of the page.Emergency Medical Services
Maine EMS is the agency within the Department of Public Safety that is responsible for establishing licensing, training requirements, and treatment protocols for emergency medical services.
Go back to the top of the page.Fire Marshal’s Office
The programs of the State Fire Marshal have primary goals of 1) investigation of the origin and cause of fires and explosions; 2) arson investigation, evidence gathering and case preparation for possible prosecution; 3) regulate, permit and inspect for the use of explosives, fireworks, and certain flammable liquids; 4) inspect approximately 25 different types of buildings and facilities with the primary focus to enforce life safety codes and standards; 5) review plans to issue permits for construction and alteration of public buildings, handicap accessibility, installation of fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems, installation of above ground fuel storage tanks, amusement rides, and new self-service gas stations; 6) conduct and offer specialized training for trade professionals, care givers, code enforcement officials, and fire and law enforcement professionals; 7) coordinate efforts of specialty subject areas such as the Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Task Force; 8) implement, manage, and report on Maine's Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarette law; 9) develop and deliver public education and awareness programs on fire prevention and safety to Maine's most vulnerable populations; and, 10) conduct research and analysis of the state fire burden for use in the development, implementation, and improvement of new and existing programs.
Go back to the top of the page.Gambling Control Unit
The Gambling Control Board is a 5-member board appointed by the Governor charged with the regulation of casino gaming as authorized by 8 MRSA, Chapter 31. The Gambling Control Unit is a bureau within the Department of Public Safety that reports to the Board and is responsible for the inspection, monitoring and investigation of the companies and individuals that are associated with gaming activities at licensed facilities in the State. The Gambling Control Unit regulates, supervises, and exercises general control over the operations of Casino Gaming, Beano and Bingo operations, Games of Chance and, Fantasy Sports. Further, the Gambling Control Unit oversees the collection and distribution of funds that are generated from those operations. The Gambling Control Unit also assists in the investigations of illegal gambling in Maine.
Go back to the top of the page.Highway Safety
The goal of the Highway Safety Office is to eliminate death, injury and economic losses resulting from traffic crashes on all of Maine’s roadways by developing and implementing data-driven highway safety programs designed to address driver behavior. Funding is provided at the state and local community level to address Maine’s highway safety needs.
Loss of life on Maine’s roads is completely preventable. That is why the Bureau of Highway Safety strives each day to cultivate new and existing partnerships to help eliminate traffic fatalities. Everyone has a role and our most important highway safety partners are Maine’s citizens. Each person, whether traveling by motor vehicle, bicycle or foot, can help by making a daily commitment to not drive distracted, impaired or aggressively and to buckle up every trip. Making this daily commitment and sharing the message of highway safety with family, friends and colleagues will go far in helping Maine achieve the goal of zero fatalities on all roadways.
In addition to administering federal grant funds, the MeBHS is also responsible for:
- Managing Maine’s Implied Consent Program under Title 29A, Chapter 23, Subchapter 4 § 2521- 2528. This is a statewide program that tests drivers suspected of being impaired by alcohol or other drugs. Maine’s Implied Consent and Operating under the Influence (OUI) laws mandate that all drivers arrested for suspected OUI must take a breath test. Refusal or failure to do so results in even longer mandatory license suspension periods.
- Developing and administering the Maine Driving Dynamics Driver Improvement Program under Title 23, Chapter 410, Subchapter 1 § 4208. This is a five-hour course that results in the reduction of points on a participant’s driving record. Approximately 5,000 people attend the course annually.
- Administration of the Federal Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) through a cooperative agreement with NHTSA. This system records Maine fatal crash data for input into a larger national record-keeping system. FARS data are analyzed by the MeBHS, the Maine State Police (MSP), and others to identify enforcement priorities and establish schedules.
Maine Criminal Justice Academy
The mission of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy is to provide the highest level of training, within given resources, to law enforcement and correctional officers in the State. By statute, the Academy is required to provide a basic training program for all full-time law enforcement officers, judicial marshals, capitol police officers, pre-service training for all part-time law enforcement officers and basic corrections training for all county and state correctional officers. The Academy also coordinates the 8 Regional Training Districts across the state, which provides in-service training to officers in remote areas.
Go back to the top of the page.Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA)
The mission of the MDEA is to disrupt the drug market, thereby undermining the ability of drug suppliers to meet, expand, and profit from drug demand while supporting prevention efforts and contributing to treatment efforts. Its goals are to: reduce the availability of drugs; protect the State's borders by stemming the flow of drugs into and through Maine; strengthen the State's drug law enforcement infrastructure; strengthen intelligence and information sharing; enhance collaboration and coordination with all law enforcement agencies; and establish effective partnerships with agencies focused on reducing drug abuse.
Go back to the top of the page.State Police
The primary purpose of the Maine State Police is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Maine and those who visit our state by enforcing motor vehicle and criminal statutes. These efforts are primarily focused on the rural areas of Maine without organized police departments, on the Maine Turnpike and the Interstate System. The Bureau investigates all homicides in Maine that occur outside of the state’s two largest cities – Portland and Bangor. The State Police provide a wide array of specialized response teams and support functions for Maine law enforcement agencies. The Bureau operates the Maine Information and Analysis Center (MIAC) – the State’s designated intelligence fusion center, as well as the State Bureau of Identification, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, and Maine’s digital forensic support unit for major investigations, the Computer Crimes Unit. The Bureau’s Executive Protection Unit provides personal protection for the Governor, the first family, and visiting dignitaries.
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