ROCKLAND, Maine — The Rockland Police Department has an excellent reputation in the community and seems to be responsive to its needs, according to an evaluation of the department by an outside association.
The Maine Chiefs of Police Association conducted its evaluation earlier this year at the request of the city. The report was released earlier this month. Among its recommendations were that the department install cameras in cruisers and create a school resource officer’s position.
The chiefs visited Rockland in June and interviewed members of the department, school officials, other local police departments, the district attorney’s office, city officials and community leaders, according to the report.
“On the whole, the Rockland Police Department enjoys a very good reputation within the community. The positive feelings toward the agency are not limited to the residents receiving police services, but also the professionals that interact with the police department,” the report states.
The chiefs pointed out that the low turnover in the department as well as interviews with officers show that the department members have pride in their department and their community.
Even without an official school resource officer, Rockland officers regularly visit the schools and have a good relationship with students and staff, according to the report. Rockland officers established a scholarship fund for high school students using their own money.
“This is a very positive action which illustrates their commitment to the youth of their community,” the report states.
Rockland officers are called upon quite often to assist other agencies with crime-related issues, showing the high regard that other departments have for Rockland.
The report issues a list of recommendations, which it points out are routine in their evaluations, such as conducting a survey of the public about the department. Some other recommendations were specific to Rockland.
The chiefs recommended that the city create a school resource officer who would be assigned to the schools. Rockland has Oceanside High School as well as Rockland District Middle School, South School, McLain School and the regional Midcoast School of Technology.
The chiefs also called for Rockland to install in-car cameras as soon as possible.
“Capturing police officer and citizen interactions is vitally important,” the report stated, adding that there should be consideration of cameras on the officers as well.
The city also should have its harbormaster become a certified part-time police officer, the chiefs stated. The city has a vibrant waterfront and there are calls there that sometimes require police interaction, they noted.
Chief Bruce Boucher pointed out that he has proposed adding a school resource officer on three occasions, including once when the department had received a grant, but the City Council had said no. The last rejection came in 2009.
The chief also said that the department had cameras in cruisers years ago but they broke. He said he plans on installing new ones as the department gets new cruisers.
“Overall, I was happy with it,” Boucher said of the report.
Members of the review committee for the chiefs association were Hampden Police Chief Joseph Rogers, Brewer Police Chief Perry Antone Sr., Hampden Police Sgt. Christian Bailey, and retired chief Donald O’Halloran of Old Town.