December 1, 2016 - Randy Gagne, Chief of Police

West Bay Rotary

December 1, 2016

 

Randy Gagne

Police Chief Camden / Interim Rockport Police Chief

 

Local – born at Camden Hospital. This area is very special to him.

 

Wife said – As soon as you start treating people like people you will go much further in your career.

 

Joint agreement with Rockport is a pretty recent introduction.

In order for this to be successful, it had to be a team effort.

His supervisory staff in Camden really stepped up

 

People have responded very well to this partnership.

They have created some mutual aid programs – officers from both communities can respond across town lines.

 

Randy has worked 28 years in the same job and still really enjoys it.

 

We do have a serious opiate problem in this community – we don’t have any place to put these folks.  Not just heroin, prescription pain meds.  We need to address this.  We need the help of the community.  Drug abuse is the root cause of property loss. 

 

So many scams out there these days – no one is giving away free money.

 

How do you train for difficult police situations?

He believes in equipping officers with the most modern technology and train them for situations that we hope never happen.  All of the departments train together so response can be seamless.  No matter how much training, things can go bad.

 

Why do people want to be officers?

Every police department in the State of Maine has openings and no one wants to do the job anymore.  It’s a dangerous job.  Used to get 50-60 applicants for a job, now we get 2 or 3.  We see negative police publicity – there are some that shouldn’t be in the profession.

 

Does the elderly program still exist?

Yes – we call on 6 elderly in the morning between 8 – 10a.  If we can’t get in touch, they dispatch.  Sand for seniors – if you can’t get out we drop off buckets of sand.

 

High school police – there have been issues there, but it has gotten better due to leadership.

Marijuana ordinance – thinks that this law is going to give us some challenges.  It is a cash business – so they’re going to be sitting on so much cash. 

 

Why staffing level changes:  Community expectations have increased.

 

Peace Walk – 300 people planned a peaceful protest.  It was exactly what they told him it would be – peaceful.  We weren’t sure if there would be counter protests.  It was a great event & he thanked them after it was over. 

 

Do you have any youth education programs?

There has been a societal change in the attitude toward police in the school.  That said, they make regular stops at the schools.

 

Buckets on the table – gift card for the homeless shelter.  Would like to see each member give $20.

 

Christmas Trees – only 18 folks haven’t signed up.  We’re off to a great start on tree sales $3,600 in sales.  Couple things need to happen – make sure that the door is locked at the end of the day.  Please leave $50 in $5’s and $1’s.

 

Habitat for Humanity – New build for Habitat in Camden.  The mother that is receiving the home worked with them all day.  Another project coming up in January. 

 

Frozen 5K – If you can spare a couple of hours – 8am at Point lookout registration area.

Hospitality House – this weekend and next weekend sell Christmas decoration sales. 

 

Holiday event – December 14 – sign up going around. 

 

Next Week – John T. Kelly – transportation issues at Acadia.