Community Resource

2008 Eliot Citizens Academy

Since becoming the Police Chief in July 2004, Chief Short continuously reviews the daily operations of the Eliot Police Department. With the aid of an audit conducted by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association in 2004, and speaking with officers and members of the community on a regular basis.

One area that needed to be addressed was how the officers interact with the community as a whole. It is the responsibility of every member of this department to present a professional and approachable image when dealing with the public. Daily interaction with Eliot citizens is at the core of our mission.

It is also essential that we have someone to promote the programs of this department and focus on overcoming any barriers that may exists between the community and the police department. In the past we have had a D.A.R.E. officer and our neighboring town South Berwick, Maine, whom we share a school district with currently hold the school resource officers position at our local high school.

These positions focus exclusively on dealing with the schools. I believe that we must present a holistic approach in dealing with the needs of our community and focus not only the schools but on our seniors, businesses, civic groups and visitors.

It is my belief that our Community Resource Officer is a great benefit to our department and our community. Officer Candice Noble acts as a liaison with our schools, businesses, citizens and our Community Service Department.

Current Community Resource Activities

Click here for Citizens Academy Application

Community Activities:

Child Safety Seat Technician via the State of Maine and the National Department of Highway Safety; awarded “Traffic Safety Champion” for 2009 for work with this program.  This department also serves as a Voucher Site for the Child Passenger Seat Distribution Program.  24 seats have been inspected and 6 voucher seats have been issued to families.

Eliot Citizen’s Police Academy - Coordinate and teach a 12 week program to residents of our community on topics ranging from the law enforcement profession, to criminal law to hands on practical exercises. Our program curriculum and format has been adopted nationwide since 2009. To date, 36 residents have graduated from this program. Click HERE for more information.

Safe Medicine Disposal for ME - Organized a partnership which provides free prescription mailing program for our residents.  Eliot Police Department participated in the early stages of the “Keep ME Safe” Mediation Disposal envelope program to remedy hazardous medications in our residents’ homes and in our environment. Due to combined success at this level the program is now statewide and currently funded.

Wellness Grant/Wellness Coordinator - Coordinate meetings, activities, monthly grant draw downs and requests.  Programs include but are not limited to: Personal Wellness Profiles for employees, Healthy lunch and learn sessions, healthy snack baskets in department break rooms, recipes challenges, etc  

Traffic Safety Enforcement Grants - coordinate speed/OUI/seatbelt grants for the department

Eliot Police Department Auxiliary Division - Began in December 2009 with three days of training.  In 2010 the volunteer division donated 594.5 hours to our community.  The Independent Sector’s Value of Volunteer Time as promoted by the Bureau of Justice and the International Association of Chiefs of Police is rated at $19.51 an hour; which means that our division has offered $11,598.70 to our community 2010. Click HERE for more information.

Current Auxiliary activities include:

      Daily calls to residents who sign up for our “Citizen Check Up Program”.  Five current residents utilize this program and our volunteers make the phone calls Monday-Friday.  If a citizen does not answer the phone, an officer is dispatched to check on them. Click HERE for more information.

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            Daily speed trailer deployment- Volunteers deploy the traffic trailer in problem areas throughout in attempt to promote police presence in the community.

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      Hand held radar details-we have an active member on the division who conducts hand held radar details and submits detail sheets after each detail.  Problem areas are identified and more efforts are deployed if needed.

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            Traffic Control-members of the division participate in traffic control assistance for parades, parking, festivals, road races and emergency traffic control.

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            Help with department activities- members participate in event set up and participation relating to National Night Out (set up/clean up, raffle tickets, parking, etc), Eliot Festival Days (traffic/parking control at fireworks, man an informational booth relating to community awareness, etc), Halloween (members help decoration, dress up and help hand out candy to children)

Eliot's National Night Out - Organization of an annual event to promote safety within the community.  Fosters community spirit and involves residents, employees, businesses and other communities. Emphasis is placed on safety awareness. 

Eliot Giving Tree - Coordinates the program, last year 13 families/29 children who reside in Eliot were assisted with gifts, food baskets for the holiday season.  The program is a success mostly in part by members of our community donating funds, food and toys.

Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Self Defense Instructor - Offers self-defense classes to women of our community

Safety presentations - Presentations as requested on safety and/or our current programs to (but not limited to): Zonta Group International, Sanford City Meeting, Eliot Baptist Church, Marshwood High School, Biddeford High School, Eliot Elementary School

Maine Special Olympics Activities - Organized the Eliot Police Department’s efforts with:

Law Enforcement Torch Run

Elder Activities: