Committee splits over proposal to place Capitol Police under Maine State Police supervision

LD 2165 would transfer supervisory authority for the Bureau of Capitol Police to the chief of the Maine State Police or allow the commissioner to designate a state police lieutenant in that role; the bill would also permit, through attrition, state police to replace Capitol Police positions under some drafts discussed in work session.

Commissioner Mike Saucet described operational advantages of consolidating command and systems — unified records management, access to investigative units and tactical resources, and standardized training — and said doing so would improve response to a rising number of threats against staff and the complex. "Plugging an agency of 16 into an agency of 352 gives access to resources that make this agency safer," the commissioner testified.

Labor and MSLEA representatives urged caution, noting three separate contracts, differing equipment and pay scales, and potential morale and personnel issues if positions were converted to state troopers. Sheriff and Capitol Police stakeholders also asked for detailed fiscal numbers and a longer study and language review to resolve implementation issues such as promotions, overtime and dispatch integration.

The committee debated whether to delay action until the next administration or to authorize the commissioner discretion to appoint a lieutenant now and to pursue attrition‑based transitions. After discussion and a language‑review period, the committee recorded an 'ought not to pass' motion in the work session, but an opposing report supporting 'ought to pass as amended' was prepared and members directed language review and reclassification analysis for consideration in final report drafting.