HOULTON, Maine — The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton is losing its top officer following the promotion of John Cote.
A 26-year veteran of the force, Cote was recently promoted to the rank of Major of Operations Division and has relocated to the Augusta branch of the Maine State Police. A Houlton native and current resident of Mars Hill, Cote was previously served as lieutenant at Troop F, the highest rank one can achieve at a regional branch, since July 23, 2013.
“My duties expand dramatically from overseeing the operations of a local Troop (F), to overseeing all of the units,” Cote said. “This position is part of the top four Command Staff members of the MSP to include; Colonel, Lt. Colonel, and the two majors.”
Graduating from the Criminal Justice Academy, Cote was assigned to Troop F in 1989 and spent the majority of his career in the criminal division, investigating homicides and suspicious deaths in northern Maine. The criminal division is now called the Major Crimes Unit. In 1995, he was promoted to the rank of detective. In 2000, he was promoted to sergeant, a role he filled until July 2012 when he stepped in for Lt. Mark Brooks as the acting lieutenant for Troop F.
Prior to joining the state police, Cote served with the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department and the Millinocket Police Department for about four years combined.
In his new position, Cote is responsible for all of the uniform troops of the Maine State Police, as well as the statewide Major Crimes Units (both north and south).
“I have a wide range of duties related to the administration of our agency,” he explained. “They include planning organizational goals, projects, objectives; representing our agency testifying at legislative committee sessions/hearings; working on the budget for the operations division; ensuring the officers in the field have the resources they need to get the mission accomplished; and working with other command staff members to select members for promotion.”
The promotion requires moving from the comforts of Aroostook County, a place where he was born and raised, to Augusta.
“Although this assignment sees me traveling throughout the state, our headquarters is located in Augusta,” he explained. “After working and living in Aroostook County almost all my whole life, moving to the Augusta area for this position certainly takes me out of my comfort zone. I know Aroostook County style work ethic and common sense will serve me well in Augusta. I feel truly blessed to have been raised in The County and it will always be a big part of who I am.”
Currently Cote is wearing two hats, and still has a more direct oversight of Troop F.
“My position there has been posted and the three Troop F sergeants, Brian Harris, Chadwick Fuller and Joshua Haines will be competing soon to fill that Troop Commander’s position,” Cote said. “Troop F is very fortunate to have such a strong and talented group of leaders in the ‘on deck’ circle and I am certain whoever is selected will keep the Troop moving forward in the right direction. I truly believe Troop F’s best days are ahead.”
