Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

LD 1671 requires Maine law enforcement agencies to disclose to prosecutors any "credibility information" about an officer who may testify in a criminal case, including sustained findings of misconduct (like evidence tampering), bias, or felony allegations. Agencies must simultaneously notify both the prosecutor and the involved officer of this disclosure. Prosecutors must then give the officer at least 5 days to respond or request a court review before sharing the information with the defendant. This establishes clear timelines and due process for officers while ensuring transparency in criminal proceedings.

LD 1784 requires all Maine police departments (including state police, sheriff's offices, and municipal forces) to publish their policies and procedures online by January 1, 2026, in clear language accessible without fees or passwords. The bill mandates posting summaries of key policies (like use-of-force and de-escalation), a full list of officer conduct rules, and contact information for public requests. It also requires departments to provide printed copies upon request within 7 business days and update policies online within 60 days of any revision. Additionally, the bill requires all officers to receive training on these published policies and annual certification of compliance from agency leaders to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.