Sheriff

Patrick William Polky was appointed as the Sheriff of Knox County on July 28, 2022 by Governor Janet Mills, filling the remainder of the former Sheriff's term, and ran for the office during that same year; he was elected in November of 2022 and took office as the elected Sheriff on January 1, 2023.

Patrick was born in Rockport and grow up in Saint George. He graduated from George Valley High School in 1995. After graduation, he enlisted for active service in the United States Army and served as a Cannon Crew Member until 1998. He returned to Maine in pursuit of a career in fire fighting and emergency medical services by first attending Southern Maine Technical College (SMTC), studying Fire Science Technologies. While attending SMTC, his career goals shifted toward criminal justice.

Patrick started his criminal justice career in 1999 with the Town of Camden. His first assignment was at a Parking Enforcement Officer and part-time Police Dispatcher. In 2000, he was offered a position as a full-time Patrol Officer. In 2011, he was promoted to Patrol Sergeant. In 2013, an opportunity to pursue collegiate studies presented itself, so he left full-time employment with the Town of Camden.

In 2014, Patrick returned to law enforcement with the Knox County Sheriff's Office as a Contract Patrol Deputy for the island of  North Haven. In 2015, he moved into a Patrol Deputy position, on the mainland, and, that winter, was promoted to Patrol Supervisor. In 2017, he was promoted to Patrol Administrator. In 2019, he was appointed to the Chief Deputy position by Sheriff Timothy Carroll.

Patrick has been recognized several times throughout his law enforcement career for exemplary service and performance, most notably for life saving measures that he performed during an incident in 2016.

Patrick is a graduate of the 96th Municipal County Basic Police School, that was held in 2001 at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, he was recognized as the most professional student of that class.

Patrick has attended several supervisory, command, and executive leadership classes, of note are the FBI - Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, and the National Incident Management System.

Other than leadership, Patrick's focus and specialty within law enforcement was impaired driving enforcement. He was a certified by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) from 2005 to 2018. He was an instructor for the State of Maine DRE program and a lead instructor/assistant coordinator for the Maine Criminal Justice Academy's Impaired Driving Enforcement Program. He is currently certified as an instructor for law enforcement and corrections and specializes in impaired driving enforcement and leadership development.

Patrick is retired from the military, with over 21 years of combined service. After his discharge from active service in 1998, he re-entered military service in 1999 with the Maine Army National Guard as a Technical Engineer. During his service, he was promoted or assigned to several positions; such as Squad Leader, Detachment Non-commissioned Officer, Platoon Sergeant, Support Operations Non-commissioned Officer, and First Sergeant. He served in two combat deployments, both in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the first in 2006 and second in 2010. He was recognized for exemplary several times throughout his military career; receiving several awards including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Services Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin.

Currently, Patrick is continuing his educational pursuits, working part-time toward a graduate degree. He also remains committed to providing the communities of Knox County the best service possible and is in hopes of re-election in November of 2026.

SELECTION& TENURE - The Constitution of the State of Maine states, "...sheriffs shall be elected by the people of their respective counties, by a plurality of the votes given in on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November, and shall hold their offices for 4 years from the first day of January next after their election, unless sooner removed...".

QUALIFICATIONS - Maine Revised Statute Title 30-A states, "...a person may not be appointed to the office of sheriff, be a candidate for election to the office of sheriff or serve as sheriff of any county in the State unless the candidate meets the following qualifications:  A. The candidate swears to or affirms the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics; B. The candidate has never been convicted of a Class C or higher crime; C. The candidate applies to the Secretary of State for a criminal background investigation; D. The candidate submits written certification from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy that the candidate:  (1) Is currently certified as a law enforcement officer and has met the basic law enforcement training standards under Title 25, section 2804‑C; or (3) Was previously certified as a law enforcement officer and agrees to meet the basic law enforcement training standards under Title 25, section 2804‑C within one year of taking office; and E. The candidate swears to or affirms that the candidate has at least 2 years of supervisory employment experience in law enforcement or corrections or a combination of both and submits the name, address and telephone number for the relevant employer or employers...".

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES - Maine Revised Statute Title 30-A states, "...the office of county sheriff is a full-time office in each county. The duties of the county sheriff include law enforcement, jail administration and court services, with irregular hours, requiring a nonstandard work schedule..." and "... shall act as the chief county law enforcement officer and is responsible for administering and directing the sheriff's department as authorized by the county budget. The sheriff shall inform the county commissioners of sheriff's department activities on a regular basis...". 

The Sheriff can perform: Civil Process; Patrol; Communications centers; Detention (Jail(s)); Investigations, intelligence or laboratory services; Rescue services; Ambulance services; Juvenile services, Temporary holding capacity; Administrative services, Victim and witness support; Aid to other law enforcement agencies; and Parking enforcement specialists.