It’s shortly before 10 p.m. as Doug Cropper guides his unmarked police cruiser to the side of Interstate 295 in South Portland. The 12-year Maine State Police veteran turns off his headlights and dims the interior, coming to a rest in the breakdown lane.

“We’re completely dark now,” he whispers.

It’s not long before the high-pitched squeal of the radar gun indicates a sedan from Connecticut traveling at 75 mph, 20 mph faster than the posted limit of 55. Cropper drops the Interceptor into drive, turns on the blue lights, and takes off in pursuit.

It’s just another stop in what has already been a busy evening for Cropper on the 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. shift.

“There’s a lot to it,” said Cropper, whose main patrol area covers the southern part of the interstate. “It’s a whole different world. A lot of different stuff goes on that just doesn’t happen during the daytime.”

This particular night saw him stop numerous speeders, respond to a tipped-over trailer off Franklin Arterial, and put a trucker out of service because of an erroneous log book.

“Every day in this job, you try and learn something new, something about the law, something about yourself,” the New York native said. “It’s not normal for anyone to be working late night. Usually when it’s dark out you should be in bed, but we’re out here, patrolling the roads, making them safe for people who are trying to get home or trying to stay safe in their own beds.”