It’s an ongoing struggle for Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett to attract and retain deputies. Brackett explained his hiring dilemma to county commissioners May 3 as one where he has had two to three vacancies for nearly three years. In an effort to fill his department duty roster, Brackett is proposing a hiring incentive plan. Bracket proposed paying up to $16,000 over a three-year period to attract qualified law enforcement officers. His proposal is similar to one used by the Maine State Police and a handful of municipal police departments around Maine. 

Under Brackett’s plan, only officers with 10 years’ experience would qualify for the $16,000. In the first year, a qualified officer would receive $6,000 up front, $5,000 on the first hiring anniversary date and another $5,000 on the second. For officers with less experience, the department would offer a $3,000 bonus. A new officer would receive $1,500 after successful completion of a background check and a second $1,500 after successful polygraph and psychology examinations. Brackett reported the cost for training a new officer based on the state required Basic Law Enforcement Training Program is $24,874.84. If Brackett’s plan works, the county would save money through reduced training and overtime costs.

Brackett wants the incentive program to attract more and better qualified deputies. “This will help us be more competitive in a competitive market,” Brackett said. Other municipal police departments have implemented a similar hiring plan. Brackett and Chief Deputy Rand Maker said Orono, Freeport, Presque Isle, Portland, Rumford, Farmington and Westbrook have incentive programs. “There are risks involved by doing this, but I also think there are risks if we don’t,” Brackett said.

County officials will further develop the proposal and submit it for the commissioners’ approval at a future meeting. 

In other action, Brackett updated commissioners about a recent COVID-19 outbreak at Two Bridges Regional Jail. On April 27, Maine’s Center for Disease Control confirmed 30 cases (27 inmates, two staff members and a contracted worker) tested positive. Brackett reported the jail wasn’t accepting any new inmates due to the outbreak. 

The sheriff’s department has reached an interim animal control officer agreement with Westport Island. The contract runs from May 1 to June 30. Brackett reported Westport Island residents would vote on a year-long contract during their  town meeting later this year. The sheriff’s department now has animal control officer agreements with 16 of 19 Lincoln County towns. Southport, South Bristol and Monhegan Island are the only towns without a county ACO contract. 

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 18 at the Lincoln County Regional Planning Office in Wiscasset.