Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett has formally recognized a group of Lincoln County citizens as the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to the Lincoln County Sheriff. The CAC’s purpose is to foster communication, transparency, and to strengthen community trust, legitimacy and accountability in the Office of the Sheriff and its operations. The CAC is an independent, diverse group of citizens that will communicate with the public, review agency policy and make recommendations to the Sheriff.

Members of the CAC are committed to engaging in open dialogue, discussion and debate regarding public safety and social justice in Lincoln County. According to Sheriff Brackett, the Committee's feedback to the Sheriff on Sheriff's Office policies will play an important role as the office reviews its policies as part of the Sheriff's Office application for accreditation by the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MLEAP). The MLEAP program is a voluntary process run by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association where law enforcement agencies demonstrate their compliance with Maine Law Enforcement best practices.

The Advisory Committee consists of 13 members drawn from throughout Lincoln County and representing a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. At its organizational meeting on November 10, 2022, the committee elected Rebecca Emmons of Newcastle as Chair. In addition, Stacey Simpson of Damariscotta was elected Vice-Chair, and Isobel Petersen of Nobleboro was elected Secretary, with Larry Bennigson of Jefferson serving as a Member At-Large officer. The other members of the advisory committee are: Christopher Armstead of Edgecomb, Char Corbett of Bremen, Wayne Farrin of Jefferson, Matthew Hanly of Bremen, Ralph Jacobs of Westport Island, Eve Jamieson of Boothbay, Lucian Laurie, Jr. of Boothbay, Marie Lindsey of Jefferson, and Dr. Pia Marancik of Jefferson.

The Committee will hold a public forum on March 1 at the Second Congregational Church located at 51 Main St., Newcastle from 5:30 to 7 p.m. During this community event, members of the CAC will give a brief overview of this new group and its intentions. During the event, CAC members would like to spend the majority of the meeting hearing from Lincoln County citizens about public safety and social justice issues that are of interest and concern to the community.

For questions about the event contact tbrackett@lincolnso.me or call the Sheriff’s Office at 882-6576.