HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Police Department has a new graduate, now that officer Nichole Dudley has completed her training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
Dudley, who has been with the HPD since May 21, 2018, was one of 63 police officers who graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro in May. The officers spent 18 weeks in study and training.
Dudley said the Academy was everything she expected it to be and more.
“It started off more with classroom work, so that we all had a good base of knowledge before going into some of the practical stuff,” she said. “In some aspects it was easier because I was less stressed than I thought I would be. But then there was a lot more PT (physical training) than I was ready for. It was very different than anything I have ever done before.”
The graduation speaker was Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck who told the new officers, “You’ve entered a noble and honorable profession to keep our communities safe. Maine law enforcement has many challenges, but you have received the best training to protect the public, and to protect yourselves.”
Among the many topics studied by the new officers were crime scene processing, emergency vehicle operation, first aid, traffic and criminal law, domestic violence and sexual assault.
For Dudley, a 2015 graduate of Easton High School and a 2018 graduate of Eastern Maine Community College with a degree in criminal justice, law enforcement is a family tradition. Her father, Alan, has been a game warden in Presque Isle for many years.
“Nichole brings a spirit of enthusiasm to the department,” Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca said. “Her personality and willingness to work as a team and for others is a great asset for HPD. Nichole brings a vision of a younger generation. We are looking forward to watching her advancement and growth in the department . We are proud of her and her progress and what she brings to HPD.”
