Maine Revised Statutes Title 30-A. Municipalities and Counties § 382. Special deputies; duties

1. Appointment. Sheriffs may at any time appoint and train as special deputies citizens more than 18 years of age. The appointment must be in writing, signed by the sheriff, and include the residence and post office address of each special deputy. The appointment must be recorded in the office of the county commissioners in the county and is not valid until recorded.

2. Active duty. The sheriff or the sheriffs' chief deputy may order special deputies to active duty only when:

3. Powers; liability. Special deputies shall exercise all the powers of deputy sheriffs appointed under the general law, except the service of civil process, only for the duration of the emergency that exists or which has been proclaimed or during the time for which they have been ordered to active duty. Special deputies are personally responsible for any unreasonable, improper or illegal acts committed by them in the performance of their duties, but the sheriffs are not liable upon their bonds or otherwise for any neglect or misdoings of these deputies.