AUGUSTA (AP) – A lawyer who wrote a precedent-setting law that allows pets to be included in domestic protective orders was nominated Wednesday to become commissioner of Maine’s Public Safety Department, which oversees the state police and fire investigations.

If confirmed by the Senate, Anne H. Jordan would become the first woman to head the department in its three-decade history, an achievement she played down after Gov. John Baldacci announced her nomination.

Jordan, 47, of South Portland, has a long record of service to state boards and agencies. As chair of the Working Group on Animal Welfare, she drafted Maine’s first-in-the-nation legislation to permit pets to be included in protection from abuse orders.

Since Maine enacted the law, Vermont has followed suit and Jordan said she has been contacted by several states – including California, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Rhode Island’s Legislature is also considering a law like Maine’s.

“Those are the (states) who’ve contacted me and said can you tell how did you did it?” Jordan said. “Each state’s approaching it a little differently.”

In addition, the American University Washington College of Law has inquired to see if such a proposal can be written into federal legislation, said Jordan. Inquiries have also come from Canada and Japan, she said.

National studies have shown a connection between domestic abuse and animal cruelty. Jordan cited one study in which nearly three quarters of women in abusive relationships who were surveyed said their abusers threatened or harmed their pets. Such threats are seen as a way to exert control over victims.

Jordan said the idea of including pets in protection orders came to her from a judge in eastern Maine who handled such cases. Jordan’s draft was included in the Baldacci administration’s legislative package and enacted last year.

In addition to service on the animal welfare board, Jordan has served on the Advisory Board on Executive Clemency since 1991 and as its chair since 2000.

As an attorney, she specializes in trial law in the areas of domestic relations, mediation, insurance fraud and animal welfare.

Jordan is also a member of the Maine Harness Racing Commission and the Animal Welfare Advisory Council. Baldacci said Jordan’s legal experience includes six years as a prosecutor with the York County district attorney’s office.

“Anne’s strong legal background and accomplishments make her an outstanding candidate for this important position,” Baldacci said.

Jordan played down her possible role as Maine’s first female public safety commissioner, saying, “It doesn’t matter what your gender is. It’s your willingness to work as a team.”

“Hopefully, someday it’ll be such an old question nobody will ask it.”

Jordan, a Republican, also made little of the fact that she’s from a different party than the Democratic governor. The Legislature has a Democratic majority.

“My job will be to ensure the safety of the people of the state of Maine. I don’t think that’s a Republican or a Democratic issue,” she said.

Besides state troopers and fire investigators, the department oversees Capitol Security, the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as the bureaus of Highway Safety, Emergency Medical Services and Liquor Enforcement.

Jordan faces review by the Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and a confirmation vote by the Senate. She would succeed Michael Cantara, who left the commissioner’s post after he was appointed judge in the state District Court.

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