Police Officer Qualifications

Applicants considered for full time employment as a police officer should meet or exceed the following minimum qualifications:

  • At least 21 years of age
  • Hold a valid Maine driver's license
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Shall not have convictions for any Class A, B, C, or D crime
  • Should complete the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) Alert test and PAT
  • Should complete the MCJA pre-service academy
  • Must pass an extensive background investigation which will include a polygraph and psychological exam.

Probationary Period

Police recruits maintain a probationary status for 12 months following the completion of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP). Recruits must also successfully complete the Wells Police Field Training (FTO) Program.

Reserve Officer
In order to qualify to be a reserve police officer, you must be at least 20 years old with 60 college credits and adhere to the previously mentioned requirements. Candidates for reserve officer must pass the ALERT test, an academy physical agility test (PAT) before being accepted into Phase I (the online 40 hour law classes). Our agency will then send you to Phase II (80 hour classroom instruction) that typically occur in the spring. After successful completion, recruits then enter Phase III (80 hours FTO). Many of our reserve officers go on to gain full time employment with us.