Member Spotlight: Police Chief Mike Field
What’s it like to be a member of Fight Crime? Meet one dedicated member in Maine
Fight Crime: Invest In Kids members are quick to step up when called upon to support early education and care programs. One example of this is Bath Chief of Police Michael Field.
During the 10 years Chief Field has been a member of Fight Crime: Invest In Kids, he has signed letters to federal and state policymakers, and is a frequent editorial contributor to statewide and regional newspapers speaking out for children. 2016 was no exception.
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Police Chief Mike Field affirming his stance on the importance of investing in early childhood education.
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Chief Mike Field, Executive Director of Maine Children’s Alliance Claire Berkowitz, and Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry meeting with legislators at the 2016 Maine Children’s Growth Council annual event.
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Chief Mike Field speaking to Senator Angus King on the need for kids to be ‘citizen ready’, saying “I lose half of my police force recruits to the physical ability test alone.”
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Chief Field with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Maine Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors.
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Chief Mike Field with Maine Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors and Senator Angus King after a meeting in Washington, D.C.
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Chief Mike Field accepting Fight Crime: Invest in Kids’ 2016 Champion of Maine’s Children Award, presented by Maine State Director Kim Gore.
In February, Chief Field was a guest speaker at the Maine Children’s Growth Council’s annual lunch with legislators at the State Capitol, where he explained why Maine law enforcement supports early learning and how it helps reduce later crime in our communities. He was joined by fellow Fight Crime members Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry, Sheriff Kevin Joyce, and Chiefs Doug Bracy, Sean Geagan, Richard Lahaye, and Jack Peck.
In March, Chief Field testified before the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary in favor of a legislative proposal to require all child care providers to be fingerprinted. He argued, “When we think about the very citizens we are working to protect – babies and young children – the bar on safety can never be too high.”
In September, Chief Field traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin to talk about federal policies that promote increased investments in early education and care programs. “We can save lives, hardship, and money by investing in programs that can keep children from growing up to become involved in crime in the first place,” Chief Field said.
In December, Chief Field was presented with Fight Crime: Invest In Kids 2016 Champion for Maine’s Children award in recognition for his contributions, all while serving as President of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association. “Chief Field understands that if we help kids get a safe and healthy start in life with a foundation for success in school, we’re making an excellent down-payment on improving public safety and preventing crime,” says Maine State Director Kim Gore.
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