AUGUSTA, Maine — Sgt. Scott Ireland, daily supervisor of the Maine State Police Executive Protection Unit, which is charged with protecting the governor and the first family, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Ireland will be leaving his current position to oversee the Maine State Police Gaming and Weapon and Liquor Licensing Divisions.
Although Ireland will not be directly involved in the day-to-day activities of the EPU, he will still oversee the unit’s administrative responsibilities.
“Like all the officers in the EPU, Lt. Ireland is both a great protector and friend. He will be sorely missed by all of us,” Gov. Paul LePage said.
Ireland has been with the Maine State Police for 18 years. He began his career with Field Troop C, headquartered in Skowhegan. After working out of the Skowhegan barracks for seven years, he was promoted to detective and assigned to the EPU during the King Administration.
During his 11 years with the EPU, Ireland has attained the rank of sergeant and was promoted to the unit’s supervisor post.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as a member of the Executive Protection Unit for Governor LePage and the first family,” Ireland said. “I am excited about my new assignment but will certainly miss my friends that I have made here. My sincerest thanks goes out to the entire LePage administration.”
The Maine State Police expects to fill Ireland’s former position within a month. Until that time, Detective Angela Kooistra will be fulfilling Ireland’s duties as Acting Daily Supervisor.
For more information on the Maine State Police, visit: www.maine.gov/dps/msp/index.shtml.
Short of stuffing a sock in the governor’s mouth, how would one protect him from himself?
If Le Page has an EPU, why can’t we have a PPU. So far, Linus Le Page has doubled his protective blanket from public retaliation.
Instead of armed state police, we have relied on Adrienne Bennett to cushion, or soften, even water down his fiery, uncontrolled outbursts of rage, as he sits in a chair overshadowed by an armed guard.
PPU ( Peoples Protective Unit) Bennett is resilient. After each steamy rocket misfire, she calmly assures each and everyone of us, about what she thought Paul was thinking, when he thought he said something, that he thought was misquoted.
Congratulations to the new lieutenant. The Legislature should consider honoring you with medal for duty above and beyond that required of a state trooper. Patrolling the highways was a cinch compared to two years behind the boss’s chair.