WORKING TO KEEP HIS COUNTY, THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE

The Hustler Files with Lisa Reilly

Upon driving into the State of Maine there is a sign that reads, ‘WELCOME TO MAINE, THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE’. For thirty-eight years, Kevin Joyce, the current Sheriff of Cumberland County, Maine, has made it his mission to ensure that his county, which includes the city of Portland, Maine, lives up to its state motto. While the State of Maine, in general, is considered rural, Cumberland County is a blend of cities, towns, and the second-largest and deepest lake in the state. This combination offers its own unique challenges and responsibilities for Sheriff Joyce and his law enforcement team. From the intricacies of managing a large jail population, to the impact of mental health and substance use on the Maine justice system, and the importance of community engagement, Sheriff Joyce is still as passionate about his mission and the people under his watch, both outside and behind the wall, as he was thirty-eight years ago.