Cape Elizabeth Police Department

06/22/2026

For the fifth consecutive year, School Resource Officer David Galvan joined youth from across the state at Camp Postcard! This incredible program brings law enforcement and students together for a week of community building, outdoor fun, and leadership development.

This year, three fantastic students from Cape Elizabeth had the opportunity to attend. Campers are selected through a thoughtful nomination process by their SROs, school counselors, and staff members, recognizing students who demonstrate great potential and character.

We extend our sincere appreciation to SRO Galvan for your continued dedication to guiding and mentoring our youth, and we congratulate our outstanding Cape students for representing our community with excellence, character, and pride

06/14/2026

06/09/2026

**FAMILY FUN DAY 2026**

Family Fun Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 13th from 10:00am until dark. Fireworks have been scheduled this year and will begin at dusk.

Shore Road from Cottage Farms Road to the Old Main Gate at Fort Williams Park will be closed from approximately 10:00am to 10:45am due to the parade.

Rain date is June 14, 2025.

06/05/2026

CLO Estes and SRO Galvan joined forces with South Portland PD yesterday to complete a leg of the Torch Run. Strong work!

05/29/2026

***SENIOR TRANSITION PROJECT 2026***

The Senior Transition Project (STP) began on Monday, May 18th and continued through today. The STP is a longstanding tradition at Cape Elizabeth High School where graduating seniors choose a two week internship in a career field they have interest in.

This year, we hosted six Cape Elizabeth High School Seniors for their Senior Transition Project. Please welcome Luke, Jonathan, Addy, Chloe, Camryn, and Lily!

Day 1 began bright and early with the students completing the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s physical fitness test. This test is given to all Maine law enforcement officers before beginning the academy and consists of timed pushups, sit-ups, and a mile and a half run.

The seniors then learned defensive tactics from Chief Fenton. Although this lesson just skimmed the surface of this important topic, the students learned about striking, kicks, and officer positioning. The Seniors were instructed about Maine’s use of force statute for both deadly and non deadly force and when using force is appropriate.

On Tuesday, we continued the use of force topic with a discussion around non-deadly force vs deadly force in Maine law as well as the Graham V. Connor case. The students also learned about crime scenes and how they are investigated by law enforcement. The students were introduced to the different types of evidence and how that evidence may be important in a criminal case. We then went over several case studies and spoke about the evidence that was present in those cases.

The students visited the United States Coast Guard Station in South Portland and were lucky enough to get to go out in several of their vessels. We patrolled the harbor and went out to Portland Headlight. During the trip, the kids learned about the various responsibilities and tasks the U.S. Coast Guard undertakes on a daily basis.

The students had an opportunity to test their driving skills through the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course. This course is similar to one completed by cadets at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. After completing three separate cone courses, we are proud to announce that Luke was awarded “Best Driver!”

This Tuesday, the group learned about high risk traffic stops before completing multiple scenarios of their own. High risk traffic stops are law enforcement procedures used when officers believe a vehicle’s occupants pose a serious threat. These stops prioritize both officer safety and public safety.

On Wednesday, the group participated in training with the Southern Maine Regional SWAT Team in South Portland. The seniors transitioned into acting roles to help make the training more valuable and realistic.

The seniors also learned more about use of force and some of the less lethal/non-lethal options CEPD has such as Pepperball and OC Spray. The seniors then learned about patrol tactics from our very own, Sgt. Eric Vanasse. These tactics are used mainly in close quarters and are intended to keep law enforcement as safe as possible.

Today, the seniors wrapped up the program by participating in a series of fast-paced, realistic scenarios that challenged them to make quick use-of-force decisions similar to those faced by law enforcement officers in the field. Whenever force was used, students were required to justify their actions by explaining what they did, why they chose that response, and how their decisions complied with Maine’s laws governing the use of physical force by law enforcement.

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage, selflessness, and dedication secured the freedoms we cherish every day. Today, we remember their legacy with gratitude and respect.

05/22/2026

***MAINE E-BIKE LAWS***

With spring officially here, the familiar sights of bicycles are returning to the streets of Cape Elizabeth. But this year, you may notice something new: the increasing number of electric
bicycles, or e-bikes.

E-bikes are a wonderful development, offering residents of all ages a fun and efficient way to explore our beautiful town and commute with ease. However, they are not standard bicycles. They have motors, and that means they come with specific regulations to ensure the safety of the rider and the public.

To ensure everyone starts the season right, the Cape Elizabeth Police Department is happy to introduce “A Guide to Maine E-Bike Laws (Title 29-A)” specifically designed for kids and parents.

This new guide is more than just rules; it is an essential safety blueprint to keep Cape Elizabeth’s families out of harm’s way and legal on the road.

Maine’s e-bike laws divide e-bikes into three specific classes, and it is vital for parents to understand these distinctions before purchasing a bike or allowing their child to ride:

Class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assist only, meaning the motor only activates when you pedal, and the assist cuts off at 20 mph. These are allowed on most multi-use paths and trails, though you must always check local signage before you ride.

Class 2 e-bikes have a throttle-assist, meaning the motor can propel the bike without pedaling, up to 20 mph. These bikes have much more limited path access.

Class 3 e-bikes are faster, pedal-assist up to 28 mph, and include a speedometer. These are strictly for road use and are not allowed on paths unless explicitly authorized.

Maine law prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from operating Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes.

Young riders may only operate Class 1 e-bikes. As a parent, you are legally responsible for your child’s compliance with these rules.

Furthermore, we cannot emphasize the importance of helmets enough. Maine law mandates that all e-bike operators and passengers under 16 must wear a securely fastened helmet.

E-bikes are fantastic vehicles, but they are still vehicles. Riders must obey all traffic signals, ride with traffic, and yield to pedestrians. Your speed on shared-use paths should always be managed responsibly.

We invite all Cape Elizabeth residents to review the full safety guide. It is available on the Cape Elizabeth Police Department website at capeelizabeth.gov, or you can pick up a physical copy at
our station.

If you have any questions, please reach out. Our department is here to support you at 207-767-3323. We wish you a safe and enjoyable riding season in Cape Elizabeth.

05/18/2026

Memorial Day in Cape Elizabeth will be observed with a parade at 9 AM on Monday, May 25th, followed by a ceremony at the Village Green, and an Open House at the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department.

This is an opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance of those who have died serving our nation. The 2026 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal is Robert G. Orff, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

Veterans and active-duty personnel are invited to march. We encourage anyone who has a family member on active duty or in the Reserves/National Guard to notify Jim Huebener prior to the parade at [email protected] so they can be recognized. Groups interested in marching should also contact Jim Huebener.

The event will be canceled only in the event of heavy rain. The cancellation will be announced on the Cape Elizabeth town website by 7:00 AM on the day of the parade. No alternate location has been set.

For information on the parade route, please visit the Town of Cape Elizabeth website: www.capeelizabeth.gov

05/12/2026

The members of the Cape Elizabeth Police Department extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and fellow game wardens mourning the tragic loss of Game Warden Pilot Joshua Tibbetts today. We stand beside our brothers and sisters in law enforcement during this difficult time and honor the dedication and sacrifice made in service to protecting others.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is heartbroken to share that Game Warden Pilot Joshua Tibbetts died this morning in a plane crash in Avon, ME.

Game Warden Pilot Tibbetts served the people of Maine as a Maine Game Warden for 18 years, including the last three years as a pilot for Maine Warden Service. In that role, his specialized aviation work supported search and rescue, law enforcement, fisheries and wildlife conservation, and public safety across the state.

This is an incredibly difficult loss for his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Maine Warden Service. We ask the public to keep his loved ones, his fellow Game Wardens, and all those affected by this tragedy in their thoughts in the days ahead.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. The Department will cooperate fully with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

We are grateful for the emergency personnel who responded to the scene and for the support already being shown to the Maine Warden Service family.