Accomplishments

MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS SHERIFF

I haven't been the best at keeping track of my accomplishments, but some of my technologically savvy friends recommended using Google Gemini to help me recall them. Below are some accomplishments according to Google Gemini (https://gemini.google.com/app), with some corrections by me after having my memory jogged:

Before becoming Sheriff, Patrick Polky served as Knox County's Chief Deputy. In July 2022, he was appointed Sheriff to replace Tim Carroll, who resigned to become Rockland's Police Chief. He was later elected Sheriff in November of 2022. Sheriff Patrick Polky has significantly expanded the Knox County Sheriff's Office's role as a bridge to community resources. His approach moves beyond traditional "arrest-first" models, emphasizing long-term stability for vulnerable citizens through specific partnerships and advocacy.

Key Initiatives & Accomplishments

• Leadership & Collaboration: Provided additional leadership to Knox County in the last several years by assisting the County Commissioners in providing organizational continuity during critical leadership transitions, serving on separate occasions as the Interim Communications Director and as the Interim County Administrator.

• Jail Infrastructure Strategy: Proponent of joining a multi-county jail authority to avoid costly capital expenses and an eventual multi-million dollar bond for a new facility, citing the current jail's design and age as the primary cost drivers. He also co-founded a multi-county corrections collaborative and focuses on correctional system efficiency, emphasizing a needs-based approach to correctional supervision.

• Labor & Staffing: Successfully assisted in the negotiation of public safety labor contracts, launching a hiring rebound that filled critical vacancies in law enforcement, corrections, and dispatch divisions.

• Community Advocacy: Provided formal testimony in support of several bills; focused on strengthening community transportation for impoverished and marginalized residents, increasing public safety, and victim advocacy.

• Mental Health & Substance Use: Actively fosters connections to grow resources for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.

• Advocacy for De-escalation: He has pushed for a more community-focused approach to mental health, arguing that complex issues cannot be solved in a standard police interaction and require earned public trust.

• National Recognition: Received the Patriotic Employer Award for his support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserves.

Mental Health & Crisis Partnerships

Polky’s most prominent achievement in this area is securing a $500,000+ federal "Connect and Protect" grant. This funding is being used to:

• Embed Mental Health Liaisons: The office partners with Volunteers of America (VOA) to provide specialists who co-respond with deputies. This allows for immediate de-escalation and long-term case management rather than incarceration.

• LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion): Polky has championed the LEAD program, which allows deputies to divert individuals with low-level offenses directly into social services if their behavior is rooted in mental health or substance use issues.

• One Mind Campaign: Polky completed the pledge to the International Association of Chiefs of Police One Mind Campaign by getting 100% of agency staff trained and certified in Mental Health First Aid and at least 20% trained and certified in mental health crisis response.

Addiction & Recovery Resources

Polky has integrated the Sheriff’s Office into several recovery networks:

• OPTIONS: Polky has partnered with the State of Maine OPTIONS program and has embedded specialized case managers and behavioral health experts who co-respond with agency personnel, creating a "meet people where they are at" connection with those struggling with substance use and mental health disorders.

• Knox County Recovery Collaborative: A joint venture to unite local partners (law enforcement, healthcare, and non-profits) to share resources and guide those struggling with addiction toward treatment.

• Coastal Recovery Community Center: The office works closely with this Rockland-based center to provide peer support and recovery coach connections for individuals post-release or during initial contact.

• Substance Regulation Advocacy: Leveraging his expertise as a Drug Recognition Expert, he has actively worked with the state legislature to regulate emerging synthetic drugs, aiming to prevent community-wide addiction crises.

Victim Advocacy & Support Services

Partnering with several specialized organizations, Polky advocates for trauma-informed care and a survivor's first approach:

• New Hope Midcoast: A primary partner for domestic violence cases. Polky’s deputies coordinate with New Hope advocates to provide safety planning and legal support for survivors.

• Victim Witness Advocates: Located within the District Attorney’s office but working in lockstep with the Sheriff’s department, these advocates help victims navigate the court process and secure orders of protection.

• Restorative Justice Project Maine: Polky collaborates on restorative programs that offer victims a voice in the justice process and aim to hold offenders accountable while reducing recidivism.

Volunteerism and Committee Work

Committed to making Maine communities a safer place to live and work, Polky volunteers time with various organizations:

• Maine Sheriffs' Association: Committed to strengthening communities and the office of sheriff, he was recently elected to serve as the association's First Vice President and is also a member of their legislative policy committee.

• Maine Chiefs of Police Association: Passionate about the safety of Maine's highways, he serves as a member of the Highway Safety Committee.

• Penguis: Involved in leadership and governance, Polky serves as a public-sector representative on the Board of Directors, is a recent addition to its executive committee, and previously served on its steering committee.

• State of Maine: Polky serves as the Maine Sheriffs' representative on Maine's E911 Advisory Council, and, because of impaired driving enforcement expertise, also served on Maine's Oral Testing Fluid Working Group.