The Sheriff’s Office provides for court security
services to the District Courts in Bangor,
Lincoln, Millinocket, and Newport and to the
Superior Court located in Bangor.
These services are provided through a
contract with the Judicial Branch and are in
place to ensure security in the courtrooms for
the Judges and public alike.
There are two full-time officers in the Bangor
District Court and one full-time supervisor at
the Superior Court. These
full-time positions are supported with about a
dozen part-time court officers, who work when
court is in session or when juries convene.
A typical part-time court officer is a
retired career law enforcement officer.
The District Courts carry high numbers of
individuals scheduled for arraignments of civil
violations or misdemeanor crimes. These often
are the courts that handle domestic, divorce,
and protection order violations.
Therefore, there is a greater potential
for issues developing in the court, and the
court officers remain vigilant utilizing their
experience, training, and intuition.
Cases in Superior Court are often in
front of juries and are often a felony crime in
nature. Due to the potential
for a lengthy jail sentence if the defendant is
convicted, the court officers must be alert at
all times in the courtroom. Random screening
through the use of metal detection and x-ray are
methods used to keep weapons out of the court
room. It is illegal to carry
any weapon into the courtroom.
All court officers are required to attend the
yearly two-week training school conducted by the
Judicial Department. They
each have arrest powers and qualify yearly with
a firearm. CPR, first aid,
arrest procedures. and blood-borne pathogens are
just a few of the required training topics.
Often the court officers are deputies
that have had tremendous experience as a retired
law enforcement officer.
Supervisor: Sgt. Allen Jamison
Penobscot County Sheriff's Office