PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department continued its push toward community-focused policing Tuesday morning, hosting a “Coffee with a Cop” event at the Portland Public Library, where residents had the opportunity to engage directly with officers and department leadership.
The informal gathering, part of a broader outreach strategy, brought together community members, officers, and Chief Mark Dubois for open conversation about public safety, quality of life issues, and the department’s evolving role in the city.
Speaking with the Maine Wire, Dubois emphasized the importance of face-to-face interaction between law enforcement and the public.
“Community policing is critical,” Dubois said, noting that events like “Coffee with a Cop” allow officers to hear directly from residents while also building trust in a more relaxed setting. He described the initiative as productive for both citizens and the department, helping to foster relationships that can translate into better outcomes on the street.
Constable Program Expands Department’s Reach
The event also served as an opportunity to highlight one of the department’s newest initiatives: the Constable Program, launched in April 2026 as part of the department’s Community Policing Division.
https://www.portlandmaine.gov/1482/City-News?contentId=aa07db92-eaf5-4236-b7aa-f63d10c9ce2d
The program introduces a visible, uniformed, but non-sworn, presence in downtown areas and public parks. Officials say the goal is to improve safety and accessibility while allowing sworn officers to focus on higher-priority law enforcement responsibilities amid ongoing staffing challenges.
The program is led by Marty Ney, a retired Portland police officer with more than two decades of experience, who returned to help stand up the initiative.
Constables are tasked with enforcing city ordinances and park rules, assisting residents and visitors, and helping de-escalate situations before they escalate into criminal matters. However, they do not have arrest powers, cannot conduct investigations, and are not armed with firearms. They are equipped with radios and pepper spray and receive training in defensive tactics to ensure both their safety and the safety of the public.
Early feedback from local businesses and visitors has been positive, with many citing the added visibility and approachability of constables as a step toward improving the overall downtown environment.
A Broader Push for Community Engagement
The Constable Program is part of a wider community policing strategy that prioritizes collaboration between law enforcement, residents, and local organizations. The department continues to work with service providers and business owners to address persistent challenges, including crime, homelessness, and public drug use.
Parallel efforts are also underway outside the department. A separate downtown ambassador program, operated by the nonprofit Portland Downtown, has deployed trained personnel to assist with cleanliness, outreach, and public engagement in high-traffic areas. Those ambassadors focus on removing litter and graffiti while serving as a visible and welcoming presence for both residents and tourists.
Ongoing Challenges Remain
Despite these efforts, Portland continues to face well-documented issues, including open-air drug use, discarded needles, crime concerns, and ongoing challenges at bus stops and in areas with high concentrations of homelessness.
City leadership, including Mayor Mark Dion and the police department, have signaled a more proactive and visible approach in recent months, leaning into community-based strategies as a way to address both public safety and perception.
With the summer tourism season approaching, initiatives like “Coffee with a Cop” and the new Constable Program represent an effort to stabilize and improve the city’s downtown core.
Whether these programs will be enough to meet the scale of Portland’s challenges remains an open question, but for now, officials say they are a step in the right direction.
Who’s buyin’
Great. Non sworn police officers to increase the cities review. They havent even started and I dont like them.
Does anyone else worry for these constables’ safety?