Golden secures $963,000 for law enforcement technology modernization across the state
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced today $963,000 in funding to provide police departments throughout Maine with much-needed equipment upgrades.
The funding for the Northern Maine Law Enforcement Equipment Modernization Project is part of the partial 2024 government funding package signed into law on Saturday.
“The better a police officer is equipped in the line of duty, the more effective they’ll be when a dangerous situation arises,” said Congressman Golden. “These modernizations will help ensure our police officers stay safe and that the Mainers they’re serving can be better protected.”
Funding from the project will support equipment modernization at the Maine State Police; the Androscoggin, Aroostook, and Oxford county sheriff’s offices; and the police departments in Auburn, Brewer, East Millinocket, Holden, Lewiston, Lisbon, and Presque Isle.
The funding was requested to cover costs associated with various technological upgrades for law enforcement, including body, cruiser and surveillance cameras, interoperable communications technologies, modernized criminal record technology, forensic technology, and technology training. All the investments are aimed at preventing and reducing crime, improving the effectiveness of law enforcement, increasing officer safety, curbing the opioid crisis, and other strategic priorities.
Leaders in Maine’s law enforcement community released the following statements:
William Ross, chief of the Maine State Police: “The Maine State Police are grateful to be receiving law enforcement equipment modernization funding. Working with our other state, county, and municipal law enforcement partners, we can utilize this funding to purchase the necessary equipment and technology to enhance the greater public safety platform in Maine. We especially would like to recognize Congressman Golden for all his help in making these funds available and keeping the citizens of Maine safe.”
Aroostook County Sheriff Peter Johnson : “At the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, the funds would be used for the purchase of sixteen AXON Fleet in-car video camera systems, which are vital because they improve conviction rates, reduce police liability, aide in police transparency, and can be a useful training tool for officers. Having the ability to outfit each cruiser with a car video camera would be a benefit to deputies and to the citizens they serve.”
Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson: “The funds provided not only save money for local taxpayers, but also allow us to address other capital needs with available funding for the agency. The funding provided for the laptops will provide the deputies in the field access to necessary tools, records, and the ability to write reports in the field in such a large patrol area. We are also replacing our records management system, and having updated hardware to match with the latest software/technology will be beneficial and provide a seamless transition with all the updates.”
The request on behalf of the Maine State Police was one of 15 awards from Golden’s Community Project Funding (CPF) requests approved as part of the appropriations package. His $26 million in successful CPF requests was the most of any Democrat in Congress.
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