Lateral Officers
Law Enforcement Employment Opportunities for Fully Certified Police Officers
We accept lateral applications on a rolling basis. Maine Blue Pins and out of state candidates are encouraged to apply. The written test is waived for current full-time law enforcement officers.
Salary is commensurate with years of full-time police service starting from the date of your graduation date from the police academy. Our hiring process will be expeditious and accommodating. Lateral officers qualify for the $10,000 sign on bonus.
Contact us with any questions: 207-874-8588
take the first step
TO START THE PROCESS:
Submit a resume and cover letter to Kate Morin, Principal Administrative Officer
- Email- kathrynp@portlandmaine.gov
- Phone- 207-874-8588
You must be a certified, full-time law enforcement officer. You must be eligible for a waiver by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. To receive this waiver, candidates will need to successfully complete a written exam given by the MCJA and receive the approval of the MCJA Board of Trustees.
Officer Interview
What department did you transfer from?
- El Paso Police Department in Texas
How long were you at your past agency?
- I worked there for 22 years. I worked in patrol for four years and then spent 18 with the K9 Unit. I retired from the EPPD as a sergeant in the K9 Unit and one of the Department's K9 Unit trainers.
Are there any particular skills or specialized training you brought with you to PPD?
- With the time I spent working patrol K9's and the time that I spent training K9 teams for the Department, I brought that skill set and certifications from the US Border Patrol in training detection and patrol dogs. I was also a State certified instructor and a firearms instructor for the EPPD.
What interested you about Portland PD and why did you apply?
- When I looked at places to relocate and retire, I knew that I wanted to move to Maine. I was drawn to Portland because of the diversity in the community.
How long have you been working in Portland?
- I have been here since December 2019
What do you like most about working for the city?
- While being "retired" I wanted to go to a Department where I could still work and try to make a difference. So working here has given me the opportunity to work in the bayside which gives me the chance to try and have a positive impact on the community.
Officer Bio
Officer Aaron Curlee came to the Portland Police Department after working 22 years for the El Paso Police Department. Officer Curlee worked as a patrol officer for 4 years and worked the remaining 18 years in the K9 Unit. He retired as a Sergeant in the K9 unit and was drawn to Portland because of the diversity in the community.
Officer Curlee told us that while “retired” wanted to go to a department where I could still work and try to make a difference and working in Portland has given him the opportunity to work in Bayside which continually gives the chance to try and have a positive impact on the community.
Officer Interview
What department did you transfer from?
- Bangor Police Department
How long were you at your past agency?
- I worked for the Bangor Police Department from 2010-2012.
Are there any particular skills or specialized training you brought with you to PPD?
- With only being in Bangor for just over two years, I still had a lot to learn, but was able to bring experience with me gained working in a city with similar issues Portland had/has. While working in Bangor I was assigned to the SET Team which was a smaller version of our CRU Team. It was the Special Enforcement Team and we worked alongside MDEA drafting and executing warrants, arrests and surveillance. We would also serve the community with specific tasks or complaints citizens brought to the chief whether it was speed enforcement or increased patrol in specific areas. Other than that I brought lateral experience where I could work on my own much faster than someone coming out of the MCJA.
What interested you about Portland PD and why did you apply?
- I always wanted to work in Portland. I attended USM and enjoyed living in the area during those years. I also wanted to work for the largest city in Maine as I grew up in a large city before moving here. I also wanted to work for Portland because of their traditions they had/have.
How long have you been working in Portland?
- I have been here since 2012.
What do you like most about working for the city?
- What I like most about working in Portland is the people. I've met so many great people and have forged many friendships over the past 8 years. Coming to work and working with friends really does make all the difference and makes work enjoyable.
Officer Bio
Sergeant Kevin Murphy Came to us from the Bangor Police Department in 2012 after working there for 2 years. While in Bangor, Sgt Murphy worked on the Special Enforcement Team which assisted MDEA at times, as well as working on specific tasks or complaints that citizens brought to the Bangor Chief of Police. Sgt Murphy lived in the Portland area while attending USM and always wanted to work for Portland. Sgt Murphy said what he likes most about working in Portland is the people.
“I've met so many great people and have forged many friendships over the past 8 years. Coming to work and working with friends really does make all the difference and makes work enjoyable.”
Officer Interview
What department did you transfer from?
- Kane County Sheriff's Department
How long were you at your past agency?
- I worked for the Metropolitan Police Department for 5 years before transferring to Portland PD.
Are there any particular skills or specialized training you brought with you to PPD?
- While at MPD I helped create a Special Missions Unit that focused primarily on narcotics investigations and getting felons in possession of firearms off the streets.
What interested you about Portland PD and why did you apply?
- I always wanted to work in Portland. I attended USM and enjoyed living in the area during those years. I also wanted to work for the largest city in Maine as I grew up in a large city before moving here. I also wanted to work for Portland because of their traditions they had/have.
How long have you been working in Portland?
- I have been here since 2018.
What do you like most about working for the city?
- When I decided to come back to my home state of Maine, Portland was an easy choice. With PPD’s positive reputation and being the largest city in Maine, this city is still one of the safest places in the country — something that I attribute to our stellar police department’s commitment to its community.
Officer Bio
Officer John Nelson started his law enforcement career with the Metropolitan Police Department, where he served the citizens and visitors of our nation’s capital in Washington, DC for five years.
Officer Interview
What department did you transfer from?
- Abington Police Department in Massachusetts
How long were you at your past agency?
- I worked for the Abington Police Department for 2.5 years.
Are there any particular skills or specialized training you brought with you to PPD?
- I’ve been through two EMT courses and served in the Army as a medic. I am ARIDE certified as well.
What interested you about Portland PD and why did you apply?
- My wife and I were looking to move to southern maine and it happened that Portland was hiring when we found the home that we wanted. We were very lucky that everything worked out and I was hired.
How long have you been working in Portland?
- I have been here since 2019.
What do you like most about working for the city?
- What I like best is the pace of the work and the ability to expand what I can do in policing and the opportunities this department offers.
Officer Bio
Officer Justin Macaluso came to Portland PD 2 years ago after working for the Abington, MA Police Department for 2.5 years. Officer Macaluso applied to Portland when he and his family decided they wanted to move to Southern Maine.
He said what he likes best about Portland is the ability to expand what he can do in policing and the opportunities the department offers.
Officer Interview
What department did you transfer from?
- Kane County Sheriff's Office , Illinois
How long were you at your past agency?
- I worked for the Kane County Sheriff's Office for 5 years. I worked in both the Probation Department and as a patrol deputy.
Are there any particular skills or specialized training you brought with you to PPD?
- My experience as a probation officer and patrol deputy gave me insight into innerworkings of the criminal justice system and that translated well into my role here at PPD.
What interested you about Portland PD and why did you apply?
- Working for a larger and much more populous jurisdiction I picked Portland since it was the largest department in the area and seemed more in line with what I was used to, as opposed to seeking out a smaller or more rural police department.
How long have you been working in Portland?
- I have been with Portland PD for 11 years.
What do you like most about working for the city?
- I enjoy working for the largest city in the state of Maine and all of the opportunities that come along with that.
Officer Bio
Dave has worked various assignments within the police department, including serving as one of our summer foot patrol units. Dave is a member of the Dive Team and serves as a Field Training Officer.
Officer Interview
What department did you transfer from?
- Metropolitan Police Department, D.C.
How long were you at your past agency?
- I worked for Metro PD for 6 years.
Are there any particular skills or specialized training you brought with you to PPD?
- My time at Metro PD exposed me to civil disturbance and first amendment rights.
What interested you about Portland PD and why did you apply?
- What drew me most to Portland was the easy and smooth application process as a lateral, as well as the ability for me to still work in a city department, but on a much smaller scale than D.C.
How long have you been working in Portland?
- I have been a member of the department for a little over five months.
What do you like most about working for the city?
- I am enjoying the smaller department feel of knowing your coworkers and building a team dynamic with the shift you work. It is also nice to work in a city which to me has a small-town feel.
Officer Bio
After five years in patrol, Rich was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2018 and finished out his time in the second district until he made the lateral move to Portland. While there he got extensive training in civil disturbance and first amendment assemblies and bring a great knowledge of those events to Portland.
Rich grew up in Massachusetts and spent a lot of time in Maine during the winter and summer months which ultimately made Maine feel like the best choice.