The Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s draft rules would allow it to discipline officers for unprofessional behavior, but the unions say the changes are too broad and could be harmful to future recruiting.
Morgan Womack
Staff Writer
Morgan covers crime and public safety for the Portland Press Herald. She moved to Maine from the sandy shores of West Michigan in 2024. She discovered her passion for breaking news while working for Michigan State University's student-run newspaper, and in her internships at the Indianapolis Star and NPR member station Michigan Public. Outside of the newsroom, she enjoys cooking, crafting and reading, and is always on the hunt for the perfect chai latte.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Southern Maine police are testing new AI software to write their police reports
Both the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and Portland Police Department have tried out the tech, which is raising questions about whether it’s cutting-edge or cutting corners.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, Schools and Education
Sixth grader arrested after Gray-New Gloucester school bus evacuated
Police searched the 11-year-old suspect’s home and found the ‘suspicious device,’ which was determined not to be an explosive. The boy was released to his parents while the district attorney considers whether to file charges.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Missing phone logs, conflicting accounts hinder investigation into death of month-old in Milo
Maine’s watchdog agency finds that the state made thorough efforts, but it couldn’t determine how or whether Child Protective Services could have prevented Sylus Melvin’s killing in 2021.
Posted inLocal & State
Piscataqua River Bridge reopens after police shooting on I-95
The bridge was shut down Thursday morning after police shot and killed a man on I-95, later finding an 8-year-old child dead inside the man’s car.
Posted inLocal & State
Police say man pointed gun at troopers before he was shot and fell from Piscataqua River Bridge
The man, who has not been identified, is accused of killing a woman in Troy, New Hampshire. An 8-year-old boy was found dead in his car. Police said the boy was not shot by officers.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine CDC says not to eat fish from 4 freshwater bodies in Brunswick
The agency says the advisory is based on PFAS testing the Navy did around its former base in October 2023, before the spill this week of 1,450 gallons of firefighting foam containing the toxic chemical.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Belfast groups challenging UMaine System’s sale of Hutchinson Center to church
Two other bidders have appealed the decision, arguing that their offers were higher than one submitted by the Calvary Chapel of Belfast.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Maine police academy looks to expand disciplinary rules for officer misconduct
The proposed rules would allow officers to be disciplined for behavior that is considered unprofessional but not criminal.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
‘I’m not a murderer’: Farmingdale man says he’s innocent in death of Waldoboro man
Jason Hewett said in an interview from Two Bridges Regional Jail that he didn’t kill Kyle MacDougall last month. He shared sealed court documents and claimed police led a sloppy investigation that landed him in jail.