INDIAN ISLAND, Maine — Officials with the Penobscot Nation Police Department say their agency has been experiencing staffing shortages for close to five years.
"It started to really take an effect on officer wellness," Penobscot Nation Police Chief Robert Bryant said of the prolonged impact on officers struggling to meet community needs.
According to Bryant, the department is down to just three officers.
"At one point, officers including myself were working 75 to 80 hours a week, and we knew we couldn't sustain that," Bryant said.
Thanks to a new agreement between the Penobscot Nation's department and the Old Town Police Department, Bryant said he will now have time to focus on filling three to four officer positions the department needs and address other issues the nation is facing.
"This is an opportunity for me and the remaining officers to do more engagement with other tribal departments on related issues," he said.
According to Old Town police Chief David White, the agreement will allow current officers from the city to respond to emergency calls as well as take shifts to patrol Indian Island.
"It's a challenge that we're willing to take on," White said. "Officers are well aware of what's going on, and they're dedicated and equipped to handle anything."
White said Old Town is looking to fill two to three positions to address the additional services they'll be providing, but he said the proximity of the reservation and small emergency call volume from Indian Island will make helping the Penobscot Nation manageable.
"They came to us asking for help, and we have no problem helping a neighbor. We'll do whatever we can to provide the same care over there as we do here," White said.
That's something Tribal Ambassador Maulin Byrant said not only makes herself feel a little safer but the nation as a whole.
"If the community has an emergency in the middle of the night, we don't have to worry about who's on call or who's covering or who's worked crazy long shifts. We'll have answers to those problems," Bryant said.
The Penobscot Nation and Old Town Police Department said the agreement will remain in place until the staffing shortages are addressed.
If you're interested in applying for a position with either department you can apply online at Penobscot Nation's website or Old Town's website.