The Bangor Police Department made an embarrassing blunder on Monday when former Public Information Officer Sgt. Jason McAmbley accidentally emailed a list of passwords to their media list while trying to send it to the new public information officer.
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Sgt. McAmbley emailed the department’s list of media contacts, including reporters from The Maine Wire, the Bangor Daily News, the Portland Press Herald, and Maine Public, with the strange message bearing the subject line “Passwords” on Monday afternoon.
Normally, the media list is used to share press releases on things like high-profile arrests. The email included a list of sign-in information the department’s Instagram and X accounts, along with something simply listed as “IPhone,” LexisNexis, which provides data analysis services, and off some concern, Tip411.
Tip411 allows the department to receive and respond to anonymous tips and send out emergency alerts to the community.
The email also came with a three-page document instructing the new information officer on how to use LexisNexis and on other aspects of the work, such as responses to Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) requests.
The PDF came with instructions on how to send emails to the media list.
McAmbley reportedly told the Bangor Daily News that he accidentally sent the email to the media list while he was trying to send it to the new public information officer because he will be returning to work as a patrol officer.
He confirmed that the passwords would be changed.
Shortly after his blunder, McAmbley sent out a follow-up email introducing his replacement, Sgt. Jeremy Brock.
“Beginning Wednesday, November 19th, Sgt. Jeremy Brock will be the person taking your phone calls and emails regarding all things Bangor PD. I’ve copied him on this message (just like I copied all of you when I was sending him a message) so you’ll have his information,” he said.
