Maine Deadly Force Review Panel

Summary

The Maine Deadly Force Review Panel (5 MRS §200-K) independently reviews officer-involved deadly force incidents after the AG's criminal investigation concludes. Its 15 members include 4 ex officio officials (Commissioner of Public Safety, AG director of investigations, MCJA director, Chief Medical Examiner) and 11 appointees named by the AG, including 3 citizen non-sworn members, a civil rights attorney, a defense attorney, a mental health professional, a civil rights organization representative, a police chief, a sheriff, a labor representative, and a prosecutor. The panel may request records but has no subpoena power; the AG controls what confidential information is disclosed in panel reports. Conclusions are reported to the Legislature's judiciary committee within 30 days of each incident review. The panel makes recommendations but cannot discipline officers.