LEWISTON, Maine - Police officers in Maine's second largest city are working under a new drug-testing policy instituted after the overdose of an officer. The death of officer Nicholas Meserve in February 2019 called attention to the lack of universal drug-testing policies for law enforcement. Merserve died of an accidental opioid overdose.
The policy requires drug-testing for new applicants, as well as "employees that are under reasonable suspicion.'' The police department is using the policy while awaiting formal approval from the Maine Department of Labor.
The city and union signed off the policy agreement March 3.