HOULTON, Maine — The Maine State Police’s Troop F barracks is now at full strength following Monday’s appointment of Jeffrey Clark to the rank of sergeant.
Clark, a 15-year veteran of the Maine State Police, most recently served as a detective with Troop F and was part of the Major Crimes Unit North in Aroostook County. He joins Sgt. Joshua Haines and Sgt. Chad Fuller as the management team for Lt. Brian Harris, commander of Troop F.
“I think Jeff will do a great job,” Harris said. “He has been in our troop for the bulk of his career. He has a lot of experience, is very well-rounded and has a good head on his shoulders.”
Troop F is responsible for police coverage for all of Aroostook County and the northern parts of Penobscot, Piscataquis and Somerset counties.
Col. Robert Williams, Major John Cote and other members of the state police management team were joined by other troops and members of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department for Monday’s service. Williams swore Clark in as the new sergeant.
Clark got his start in law enforcement in 2000 when he graduated Maine Criminal Justice Academy. He was initially assigned to Troop J, where he patrolled Washington and Hancock counties.
In 2003, Clark transferred to the Houlton barracks and continued his growth as a trooper. He became a K-9 handler and was partnered with “Hanno,” a canine officer certified with patrol and drug work. Upon Hanno’s retirement in 2010, Clark was assigned as an agent of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, stationed in Aroostook County.
“I went back to the road (in 2013) for a year-and-a-half before becoming promoted to the Major Crimes Unit as a detective last fall,” Clark said. “From early on, it has been my career goal to attain the rank of sergeant.”
Clark said his job will change significantly in his new role.
“It will be a drastic change,” he said. “As sergeant, I won’t be out fielding the complaints. It will be more of a supervisory role with more paperwork. I like being in the mix and really enjoy the people who are in this profession.”
In 2013, Clark was nominated for the Troop F Trooper of the Year. He was also presented the Colonel’s Award for his work with the Amity triple homicide, while in the drug unit.
Clark resides in Easton with his wife of 25 years, Shelley. They have two grown children, Reed (who works for the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department) and Nicholas (a freshman at the University of Maine at Fort Kent).
