Erica Pelletier, Chief Deputy!
Erica Pelletier’s childhood dream of becoming a police officer has become a reality. She now serves as the second in command at the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, setting an inspiring example for women in county law enforcement.
In her 17th year in law enforcement, Erica Pelletier’s appointment as chief deputy feels like a dream come true. Her hard work and dedication have paid off as she takes on this significant role.
Aroostook County Sheriff Peter Johnson recently appointed Erica Pelletier as chief deputy, making her the first woman to hold this position in the history of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office and, as far as records show, the first female chief deputy in the state of Maine. Her oath of office ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday.
Erica Pelletier’s new role includes overseeing the Aroostook County Jail, currently housing 117 inmates, as well as supervising deputy patrol activities and managing grants for the sheriff’s office.
At 37 years old, Erica Pelletier joins the ranks of the less than 3 percent of female law enforcement officers in leadership roles across the nation.
This summer, several Maine police departments pledged to increase the number of female police officers as part of the national 30×30 Initiative, aiming to raise women’s representation in law enforcement to 30 percent within six years. Nationally, only 12 percent of sworn police officers are women.
Erica Pelletier’s journey began in 2014 when she joined the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy. Over time, she advanced to the rank of sergeant and currently serves as patrol commander.
Her passion for law enforcement became evident during her time as a criminal justice student at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, where she excelled and received the university’s Criminal Justice Award for her outstanding performance.
After graduation, Erica Pelletier worked as a summer reserve officer for the Town of Kennebunkport and later as a patrol officer for the Houlton Police Department.
During her tenure with the Maine Drug Enforcement Task Force, she had the opportunity to work alongside Aroostook County Sheriff Johnson and former Aroostook County Sheriff Shawn Gillen.
Gillen, who has worked closely with Pelletier for many years, commends her decision-making abilities as a sergeant and trusts her judgment in the field.
As Chief Deputy, Erica Pelletier is committed to mentoring her subordinates and continuously improving through training and seeking input from others.
One of her greatest joys is making a positive impact on people’s lives, especially in domestic violence cases, which she is passionately dedicated to addressing.
Despite the challenges faced as a woman in law enforcement, both in public interactions and within the workplace, Erica Pelletier’s determination has led her to overcome obstacles to reach her current position.
Looking ahead, she aspires to see the county move closer to a new, more modern jail facility before her retirement, providing better resources for inmates.
Erica Pelletier, originally from Madawaska and now residing in Fort Fairfield, is married to Fort Fairfield Police Chief Matthew Cummings. Together, they have four children—three girls and a boy aged 3 to 12. Their family also includes an 11-year-old yellow lab named Cooper and a black cat named Mr. Binx.
Erica Pelletier expresses her gratitude for the community’s support over the years and thanks Sheriff Johnson. She will take her oath of office at the Sheriff’s Office in Houlton on Wednesday.
This article was reimagined from: She is the Aroostook sheriff’s 1st female chief deputy (bangordailynews.com)
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