Former Maine police officer accused of selling drugs from cruiser, sometimes while on duty

CALAIS, Maine — A former police officer in Calais, Maine, is facing multiple charges after a investigators alleged he often sold drugs from his cruiser, sometimes while still on duty.

According to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, 53-year-old Jeffrey Bishop, 53, of Cherryfield has been charged with four counts of aggravated furnishing of hydrocodone and fentanyl and one count of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs.

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The charges were elevated to aggravated because Bishop allegedly gave drugs to a minor and did so within 1,000 feet of a school, the Bangor Daily News reported.

According to the newspaper, Bishop was arrested at about 4:15 p.m. Friday in the parking lot of Narraguagus High School in Harrington, six days after resigning and serving out a two-weeks’ notice. He had joined the Calais Police Department in May 2019.

“We are very surprised and concerned about the allegations against Mr. Bishop, as we are well aware that if they are proven, this is not just a black eye to our department, but to all of law enforcement,” Calais Police Chief David Randall told the newspaper. “We believe that all law enforcement officers must be held to a higher standard to keep our justice system above reproach.”

Drug agents said they found 110 matching hydrocodone pills from Bishop’s “police duty” bag in his home, and prosecutors allege he was trading drugs for things besides cash, WGME reported.

“This investigation revealed that he had been exchanging hydrocodone pills with the state’s witness for sexual favor,” State Assistant Attorney General John Risler told the TV station.

Cox Media Group