senior lead program
Lt. Janine Roberts is a 25-year veteran of the Portland Police Department with 9 years experience as a lieutenant, graduating from the F.B.I. National Academy in March 2010. Janine is born and raised in Portland and has seen a lot of changes in the city throughout the years. As a Portland Police Officer, Janine has served her community in several roles throughout her career which gives her a leg up on stepping into her new role as the Community Services Division’s Commander.
In addition to her daily duties, Lt. Roberts is currently the Commander of the Department’s Crisis Negotiators Team and the Coordinator for the Police Color Guard. In the past, she has represented the Department in many endeavors including the City’s Employee of the Month Committee, the Use of Force Committee, the Maine Motor Officers’ Association, and Recruitment Team Leader.
Over the course of her career, Lt. Roberts has attended over 2000 hours of training. Some most recent sessions include Emergency Preparedness, 7 Habits of Effective Leadership for Law Enforcement, National Center for Women & Policing, Public Information Officer, FBI Command Leadership, Stress Management, Qualities of a Leader, and Tactical Supervision of Critical Incidents.
Lt. Roberts’ outgoing personality and interest in people, makes her a natural fit for the Community Services Division. She is often quoted to say, “I don’t know everyone…yet. But I’m working on it.” As you get to know her, you’ll find that she is realistic, straight forward, has a sense of humor, and makes a habit of following through with commitments.
In her off-duty time, Janine stays active in the community by volunteering for charities and other worthy causes, many of which she is still active with. Some of these include volunteering for veterans groups, leading the Department’s Color Guard in the City’s parades each year, the Maine Police Emerald Society, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House, Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D., Wreaths Across America, the Police Unity Tour, and a member of the Advisory Board for Central Maine Community College’s Law Enforcement program.
Throughout her career, Lt. Roberts has received recognition for her professionalism, dedication, and commitment to the community, including over 100 letters of commendation submitted by citizens, several unit citations related to successful investigations and a public service award from Portland’s Downtown District for her “superb leadership and hard work”. She was also selected as the American Legions of Maine’s Officer of the year in 2009.
