Police Department Information and Hiring Process


About the Town of Falmouth - Community
Falmouth is a growing community with a population of approximately 12,000 residents and 33 square miles located on the southern Maine coast in the Portland metropolitan area. The community has one of the highest per capita incomes in the State. While it has served primarily as a residential suburb for the city, in recent years the Town has seen a rapid expansion of its commercial base.

About Falmouth Police Department
The Department currently consists of 20 full-time sworn officers, 8 full-time communications personnel, an administrative assistant and 7 part-time personnel. 

With its location on the southern Maine coast, the Department has a marine unit that consists of one full-time sworn officer, a part-time assistant and 2 summer park rangers. The unit operates out of the Town Landing facility with a 27' "First Responder" Safe Boat Defender.  While the Department is small, it offers many opportunities for specialty training and positions, such as; detectives, evidence technicians, bike patrol, PTO’s, 2 School Resource Officers, drug recognition expert, accident reconstructionist, K-9 Officer, Motorcycle Unit and Harbor Patrol to name a few.

An application for employment may be found at this link http://www.falmouthme.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif11826/f/uploads/application_for_employment.pdf

Salary and Benefits
The patrol officers and dispatchers of the Department are represented by Maine Association of Police and work under a collective bargaining agreement.

Effective 7/1/23 – the starting patrol pay will be $30.35/hour, with multiple year pay steps up to a 21 year step of $36.34/hour. The Department offers a lateral entry up to the twelve year step of  $34.51/hour, DOQ.

Effective 7/1/23 – the starting dispatch pay will be $24.29/hour with multiple year pay steps up to a 21 year step of $30.40/hour. The Department offers a lateral entry up to the twelve year step of $29.02/hour DOQ.

Holidays - 13 paid per year - Officers working Thanksgiving and Christmas receive two times the hourly rate of pay. Other holidays are compensated at time and one half rate of pay.

Vacation
Starting  – 1.54 hours per week
After 1 year – 1.85 hours per week
After 6 years – 2.31 hours per week
After 10 years – 2.77 hours per week
After 15 years – 3.23 hours per week
After 20 years - 3.85 hours per week

Health Insurance - A “Point of Service 200 Plan” is offered, where the Town pays 85% of the cost for the employee and their family.

Retirement
The Town offers Maine PERS Special Retirement Plan 3C (25 year / no age requirement at 2/3 pay) for sworn personnel and Maine PERS Retirement Plan AC (25 years / age 60) for non-sworn personnel.  Employee contribution is 5% while the Town contribution is 8%.

Sworn officers who have retired and are receiving benefits from Maine PERS are eligible for the Town's ICMA 401A plan. Current contributions are 5% employee earnings and 8% from the Town.

Incentives

  • Education Stipends for Masters ($1.25 per hour), Bachelors ($1.00 per hour) or Associates Degrees ($.50 per hour/$.75 if in law enforcement) added to the hourly employees rate.
  • Military Stipend - with a minimum of two years of active duty ($.50 per hour - $.75 per hour if a law enforcement related MOS).
  • EMT Incentive  - Town pays all costs of training; $200 bonus upon completion, $.40 per hour for sworn officer and $.20 per hour for non sworn personnel, added to their hourly rate.
  • Physical Fitness Incentive - Up to $.38 per hour for successful completion of the Department’s Fitness Test for sworn personnel and up to $.10 for successful completion by communications personnel, added to their hourly rate.
  • Stipends for officers filling the following positions - SRO, Patrol and Dispatch Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, M.A.R.C. Instructor, Accident Reconstructionist, DRE, Evidence Technician, K-9 Officer ($.60 per hour), Senior Officer in-charge of a shift ($.75 per hour).  When working the third shift, dispatchers will earn an additional $.55 per hour.
  • Uniform Cleaning Allowance - $20 per month for cleaning of uniforms, paid in December for sworn personnel.
  • Sick Leave – 1.5 hours per each full week of service to a maximum of 960 hours.
  • Retiree Health Savings Plan available to all employees.
  • Court Time - 3 hour minimum.
  • Call In - 4 hour minimum.
  • Compensatory Time - Employee can continuously bank up to 24 hours, and use it at the Chief’s discretion.
  • Residence Clause - Employee shall live within a reasonable commuting distance.
  • Probationary Period - One year from completion of MCJA or date of hire, if already certified by the Academy for sworn/communications personnel.

Schedule
The patrol division of the Department works a four day work week (10 hour shifts) with three days off. Shift coverage is a minimum of two officers on all shifts, but on most day and evening shifts, three to four officers.

Equipment
The Department provides all equipment, to include but not limited to; all uniforms, protective vest, weapon, etc.

Police Officer Candidates
Falmouth, Maine Police Department
The Falmouth Police Department is a highly professional, progressive agency that embodies the philosophy of community policing while serving a community of approximately 12,000 people. Falmouth is a rapidly growing community located in the Portland metropolitan area on the southern Maine coast. Officers patrol an assigned area for the purpose of crime prevention/law enforcement. Duties include, but are not limited to; investigation of crimes, apprehension of offenders, traffic enforcement, and providing emergency services. Candidates must have the ability to exercise good common sense and discretion, and be able to analyze situations quickly and objectively. Applicants must be able to make decisions under pressure.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum of 21 years of age
  • United States citizen
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • College and/or military experience desirable

Applicants who meet the basic qualifications are selected on a competitive basis. The selection process includes the following:

  • Maine Criminal Justice Academy ALERT Test
  • MCJA Physical Fitness Entrance Exam
  • Interview Board Examinations
  • Medical Examinations
  • Polygraph/Psychological Exam
  • Background Investigation

______________________________________________
The Falmouth Police Department actively encourages all interested persons to apply for this career-oriented department. Recruitment is an ongoing process and applications received will be kept on file for a period of one year. Applicants will be notified in the event an opening occurs.


THE TOWN OF FALMOUTH IS AN
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER


Communications Officers Candidates Falmouth Police Department

Schedule - The Communications Division works a four day on, three day off schedule.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum of 21 years of age
  • United States citizen
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • College and/or military experience desirable

Applicants who meet the basic qualifications are selected on a competitive basis. The selection process includes the following:

  • Interview Board Examinations
  • Medical Examinations
  • Polygraph
  • Background Investigation

________________________________________________
The Falmouth Police Department actively encourages all interested persons to apply for this career-oriented department. Recruitment is an ongoing process and applications received will be kept on file for a period of one year. Applicants will be notified in the event an opening occurs.


THE TOWN OF FALMOUTH IS AN
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Police Officer Applicants

Filing of Applications and Resumes: Completed application, resume and cover letter are to be filed with the Chief of Police, Falmouth Police Department, 2 Marshall Drive, Falmouth, Maine 04105. Telephone (207) 781-2300.

Motor Vehicle Driver's License: Each applicant must possess a valid and current motor vehicle driver's license.

The following forms must be attached to your application

  1. A copy of the High School Diploma, equivalency certificate, and any advanced degrees.
  2. A copy of a Driver's License.
  3. A copy of any Maine Criminal Justice Academy certificates for either the Pre-Service Class or the Basic Police Academy.
  4. A copy of the ALERT Test score, (if previously taken). If you require the ALERT test, one will be given at the date, time and location indicated on the MCJA website. 
  5. A copy of the DD214, if prior military service.

Maine Criminal Justice Academy Physical Fitness Exam
The Falmouth Police Department utilizes the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s Entrance Requirement 40th Percentile Physical Fitness Standards to determine a candidate’s fitness during the initial stages of the employment process. These three (3) areas of measurement will provide the Department with an excellent indicator of the applicant’s physical work performance along with body strength and overall fitness. It will also provide the applicant with a true indicator of their physical condition.

It is very important that you read through this entire packet of material prior to your physical fitness testing date. Furthermore, the applicant must have a doctor review the elements of the test so that he/she may determine that the applicant is able to safely participate in the fitness test. If the enclosed Medical Clearance form is not signed by a doctor and brought with you on the day of the test, the applicant will not be allowed to participate in the fitness test and will be excluded from further consideration for the position for which they have applied.

Should you wish to receive further information on the physical fitness test, it may be obtained at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy website  select "forms" then select "Fitness Application".

Maine Criminal Justice Academy
15 Oak Grove Road
Vassalboro, Maine 04989