Maine § 6025. - Marine patrol officers

§ 6025.. Marine patrol officers

1.  Appointment.  Applicants for the position of a marine patrol officer who qualify under the officer's code and pass the examination administered by the Bureau of Human Resources may be appointed by the commissioner to hold office under Title 5, chapters 51 to 67 and under the officer's code.

2.  Fees and other offices.  Except before the District Court, officers are allowed the same fees as sheriffs and their deputies for like service which must be paid to the commissioner for use of the State. Officers may not hold any other state, county or municipal office for which they receive compensation, except elected positions in municipal or county government.

3.  Powers and duties.  Officers shall enforce all marine resources' laws and may arrest and prosecute all violators. They may serve all process pertaining to marine resources' laws. They have jurisdiction and authority in all areas where the laws for which they have responsibility apply. In addition to their specified powers and duties, the marine patrol officers are vested with the authority to enforce all laws of the State and may arrest for violations of any criminal laws. Any officer may require suitable aid in the execution of the duties of office. Marine patrol officers may receive complete law enforcement training within one year from the date of employment and in-service training privileges at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

4.  Search powers.  Any marine patrol officer, in uniform, may search without a warrant and examine any watercraft, aircraft, conveyance, vehicle, box, bag, locker, trap, crate or other receptacle or container for any marine organism when the marine patrol officer has probable cause to believe that any marine organism taken, possessed or transported contrary to law is concealed thereon or therein.

5.  Sheriff and police powers as marine patrol officers.  A sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer, constable or inland fisheries and wildlife warden, within that person's respective jurisdiction, is vested with the powers of a marine patrol officer, except the powers provided in sections 6306 and 6434. When that person acts under this section, the same fees must be paid for services rendered by that person to the usual recipient of that person's fees.