Frequently Asked Questions

• Starting pay: $32.35 per hour
• 12-hour Panama Schedule for patrol officers
• Overnight shift differential pay available
• Two weeks paid vacation to start
• 12 paid holidays per year

Officers receive comprehensive benefits including:

• MEPERS 3C Retirement Plan:
  • 25 Years of Service required
  • No Age Requirement
  • 2/3's Average Final Compensation
  • Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
• MMEHT PPO-1500 Health Plan
• Wellness Programs:
  • Paid On-Duty Exercise Time
  • $6,000 Annual Wellness Incentive
• Up to 960 Hours Paid Sick Time
• Uniforms and Duty Gear Provided
• Overtime & Compensatory Time Available

Basic Requirements:

• Must be 21 years old (or 20 with 60 college credit hours)
• Pass Maine Criminal Justice Academy Alert and Physical Fitness Test
• Complete 18-week MCJA Basic Law Enforcement Training Program

Hiring Process (3-4 months):

• Application with resume and cover letter
• Written Test
• Physical Fitness Test
• Oral Interview
• Background Investigation
• Conditional Job Offer
• Polygraph Examination
• Job Suitability Assessment
• Medical Examination

Yes, we accept lateral transfers:

• Open to Maine Blue Pins and out-of-state officers
• Salary commensurate with years of service
• Full credit for post-academy law enforcement experience
• No written entrance exam required for lateral officers

The MCJA Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP) includes:

• 18-week residential program
• Monday-Friday residence at the academy
• Weekend returns home permitted
• Two classes per year (August and January)
• Required for all Maine police officers

The Good Morning Program is a free service for elderly or disabled residents living alone. Participants:

• Call the department each morning to check in
• Receive wellness checks if they don't call
• Get connected with emergency services if needed

To enroll, contact our Community Services Division at (207) 288-3391.

We offer several community engagement programs:

• Community education workshops
• School resource officer programs
• Neighborhood watch coordination
• Business security assessments
• Public safety presentations

Contact our Community Outreach Division to schedule or participate.

Our Mental Health Unit offers:

• Crisis intervention and response
• Connection to mental health resources
• Follow-up support for individuals and families
• Training for officers in mental health response

For mental health emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency assistance, contact our Mental Health Unit at (207) 288-3391.

To report a lost or found pet:

• During business hours: Contact Animal Control at (207) 288-3391
• After hours: Call our dispatch center
• Check our Facebook page for recent found pet posts
• File a lost pet report with local animal shelters

All dogs over 6 months must be licensed annually. Requirements include:

• Current rabies vaccination
• License renewal by December 31st each year
• Proof of spay/neuter for reduced fee
• Licenses available at Town Hall or online

Pay Structure:

• $28.17/hour during 4 weeks academic training
• $29.81/hour plus minimum $2/hour shift differential after probation

Requirements:

• Strong listening and memory skills
• Excellent multitasking abilities
• Accurate typing skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team environment

To request a police report:

• Complete a Records Request Form
• Provide valid ID
• Include incident date and report number if known
• Pay any applicable fees

Processing time is typically 5-7 business days.

Summer Season (May 15 - October 30):

• Premium Zones: $4.00/hour
• Standard Zones: $2.00/hour
• Hours: Mon-Sat 8AM-9PM, Sun 12PM-9PM

Winter Season (November 15 - April 15):

• Free parking available in most areas
• Special restrictions during snow events

• Residential Permits
• Student Permits
• Contractor Permits
• Commercial Fishing Permits
• Special Event Permits

Contractor & Special Event Daily Rates:

• Non-Premium Areas: $24.00/day
• Premium Areas: $54.00/day

• ParkMobile App
• Credit/Debit Cards
• Parking Tokens
• Apple Pay

Vehicles displaying valid handicap placards or plates:

• May park free in all paid and permit areas
• Must follow posted time limits and other restrictions
• Cannot park in areas marked "No Parking" or "Tow Away Zone"

To Pay Citation:

• Visit: barharbor.citationportal.com
• Enter citation number and license plate

To Contest Citation:

• Visit the same portal
• Select "Contest Citation"
• Complete the contest form

For questions about citations, contact Parking Enforcement at (207) 288-1777

Overnight Parking:

• Parking is free from 9:00 PM until 8:00 AM the next morning
• No enforcement of meters or kiosks during these hours
• Regular parking restrictions still apply (handicap spaces, no parking zones, etc.)

Extended Parking Limits:

• No vehicle may be parked on a public street or in a public parking lot for more than 72 consecutive hours
• Vehicles exceeding this limit may be ticketed or towed at owner's expense
• This applies year-round, including during free parking seasons

During winter months (November 15 - April 15):

• Overnight parking is allowed on the streets with a winter permit
• If notification has been sent out by email that you need to move, then vehicles can be towed at the owner's expense
• Snow emergency notifications are posted on the town website and social media
• Municipal lots may have special winter regulations posted

For winter parking questions, contact the Parking Division at (207) 288-1777.

To retrieve property from our department:

• Call ahead to (207) 288-3391 to confirm your property is available
• Bring valid government-issued photo identification
• Property can be retrieved during business hours (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday)
• Proof of ownership may be required for certain items
• Sign required release forms upon retrieval

Note: Some items may require additional documentation or court orders for release.

Our property retention policies are as follows:

• Found property is held for 30 days from the date it was turned in
• Evidence is held until the case is closed and all appeals are exhausted
• Unclaimed items may be disposed of according to state law
• Valuable items may be auctioned after the retention period

Contact our Property Division if you have specific questions about an item.

To report a streetlight outage in Bar Harbor, contact:

• Christopher Johansen
• Assistant Harbormaster
• Contact options:
  • Primary Phone: (207) 288-5571
  • Alternative Phone: (207) 288-3391
  • Email: cjohansen@barharbormail.org

When reporting an outage, please try to provide:

• Pole Number - Look for the yellow tag on the pole with the identification number
• Exact location of the streetlight
• Nearest street address or intersection
• How long the light has been out (if known)
• Any visible damage to the pole or fixture

For non-emergency incidents:

• Call our non-emergency line: (207) 288-3391
• Visit the police department in person at 37 Firefly Lane
• Use our online reporting system for minor incidents (available on our website)
• Email: police@barharbormaine.gov (not for time-sensitive matters)

Examples of non-emergency incidents:

• Minor theft or vandalism (not in progress)
• Noise complaints
• Suspicious activity (not immediate danger)
• Lost property
• Vehicle complaints

Always call 911 for emergencies requiring immediate police, fire, or medical response.

Bar Harbor residents can request a vacation house check while away:

• Complete the Vacation House Check form (available at the police station or online)
• Submit at least 48 hours before departure
• Provide emergency contact information
• List any vehicles, lights, or persons authorized to be on the property
• Officers will periodically check your property during your absence

This free service is available to all Bar Harbor residents. Contact our Community Services Division at (207) 288-3391 for more information.

If you receive a suspected scam call or email:

• Do not provide personal information or financial details
• Do not click on suspicious links or open attachments
• Hang up on suspicious callers, especially those creating urgency or fear
• Report the scam to the Bar Harbor Police Department at (207) 288-3391
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity

Common scams in our area include IRS impersonation, utility company threats, grandparent scams, and lottery/sweepstakes notifications. When in doubt, call our department to verify before taking action.

You can access Maine's Shellfish Closures & Monitoring information through:

• Visit the Maine DMR Interactive Map
• The map shows:
  • Current shellfish growing areas
  • Active closure areas
  • Water quality classifications
  • Aquaculture lease information
• Click on map areas to access detailed information and closure notices
• Updated regularly with current conditions

Note: Always check current closure status before harvesting as conditions can change rapidly.

The Maine DMR uses several classifications for shellfish areas:

• Approved: Open for harvesting under normal conditions
• Conditionally Approved: Open for harvesting except during specified conditions
• Restricted: Harvesting allowed only with special permit
• Prohibited: No harvesting allowed

These classifications are based on water quality data and potential pollution sources.

There are several ways to stay informed:

• Check the DMR Interactive Map regularly
• Contact the Harbor Master's office at 207-288-5571
• Sign up for DMR shellfish closure notifications
• Follow local shellfish warden announcements

For emergency closures or questions, contact the local shellfish warden or Harbor Master's office.

To obtain a mooring permit:

• Complete mooring permit application
• Provide proof of boat registration/documentation
• Pay applicable fees
• Submit to Harbor Master's office for approval

Contact the Harbor Master at (207) 288-5571 for current availability and wait list information.

Recreational fishing in Bar Harbor waters requires:

• A valid Maine recreational saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 years or older
• Adherence to size and bag limits for various species
• Awareness of seasonal restrictions and protected areas
• Proper disposal of fishing line and other waste

Licenses can be purchased online through the Maine Department of Marine Resources website or at local tackle shops. For specific regulations on species, visit Maine DMR Recreational Fishing.

To report marine violations or incidents in Bar Harbor waters:

• Contact the Harbor Master directly at (207) 288-5571
• For after-hours emergencies, call the police department at (207) 288-3391
• For environmental violations, contact the Maine DEP at 1-800-452-1942
• To report oil/fuel spills, call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802

When reporting, please note the location, time, vessel information (if applicable), and nature of the violation or incident. Photos are helpful when available but only if safe to obtain.

The Bar Harbor Police Department offers several services for seasonal residents:

• Seasonal property checks for unoccupied homes
• Security assessments for seasonal properties
• Registration of emergency contact information
• Alarm response coordination
• Assistance with local regulations and ordinances

To register your seasonal property, visit the police department or call (207) 288-3391 to request the Seasonal Property Registration form.

Important local ordinances for visitors to Bar Harbor:

• Noise Ordinance: Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM
• Beach Regulations: No alcohol, fires, or camping on public beaches
• Pet Ordinances: Dogs must be leashed in public areas and waste must be picked up
• Parking: Pay attention to seasonal parking regulations and time limits
• Short-term Rentals: Only stay in legally registered rental properties
• Public Consumption: No open containers of alcohol in public spaces

For more information on local ordinances, visit the Town of Bar Harbor website or contact the police department.

Visitors can stay informed about emergencies in Bar Harbor through:

• Social Media: Follow the Bar Harbor Police Department on Facebook for updates
• Weather Alerts: Download the NOAA Weather app for severe weather warnings
• Local Radio: Tune to WDEA 1370 AM or WERU 89.9 FM for emergency broadcasts

For visitors staying in hotels or rental properties, ask your host about their emergency notification procedures.