Levesque newest member
of Presque Isle Police Department
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — Danielle Levesque, the newest member of the Presque Isle Police Department, is nearing completion of 18 weeks of classes at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.
For Levesque, a desire to do something more with her life led her to law enforcement.
“I was hired May 24 and started the same day,” said Levesque, noting she’s always had an interest in law enforcement.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
DANIELLE LEVESQUE is the newest member of the Presque Isle Police Department. She is currently attending the Police Academy in Vassalboro.
A 1997 high school graduate, she attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle, studying athletic training, before moving west to be closer to family.
“I attended UMPI for two years and left school to move out west to San Diego. I had three brothers out there and wanted to be closer to them. I moved back to Maine from California in 2001 and started working at the paper mill in Madawaska,” said Levesque.
She said although she was glad to have a job, working at the mill wasn’t fulfilling.
“I decided that working at the paper mill is not what I wanted to do much longer, given the circumstances of the economy. All the mills were closing and Fraser was filing for bankruptcy. I knew that I was still young enough for a career change so I took the 100-hour course at UMFK and got hired by the Madawaska Police Department,” said Levesque.
That’s when she realized she “really enjoyed working with the public and helping people.”
Born and raised in The Valley, she’s lived most her life in Madawaska. Working in Presque Isle allows her to be able to visit her hometown from time to time.
Having attended UMPI, Levesque said she was familiar with Presque Isle and, when the position opened at the police department, she took the chance and applied, noting she liked the idea of working for a larger department.
“I used to live here when I went to college and I enjoyed the city then. I enjoyed working in Madawaska as a reserve office but I always thought about working for a bigger town or city. Presque Isle is a great place,” she said.
Levesque said working for and giving back to the community is something she feels good doing.
“Like I said earlier, I enjoy working with the public and helping people in any way that I can. I’m not sure yet what field I want to pursue in police work but as time goes on and the more I interact with the public, I’m sure it will hit me then what I want to focus on,” Levesque said.
Levesque joins others in her family who’ve pursued work in law enforcement.
“I have a brother who is a Border Patrol agent stationed in Van Buren. I also have a cousin who is a police officer in Rhode Island,” said Levesque.
Her family’s response to her career choice has been positive.
“They’re proud, I guess. I worked at the paper mill in Madawaska with my father and he was glad to see me get out of that place,” said Levesque.
Chief Naldo Gagnon said Levesque is a “good fit” for the department.
“She’s the third female officer we have on staff. It makes for a good mix,” said Gagnon, noting having both male and female officers offers a better opportunity for the department to work with the public. “People react differently to male and female officers. Sometimes they’re more receptive to one than the other. Having both gives the department an advantage.”
Levesque encourages others to follow their dreams.
“If you find something you’re interested in, give it a try. If it’s what you want to do, just do it. If you enjoy working with the public, then law enforcement is a great career to get into,” said Levesque.
Levesque and fellow PIPD Officer Cole Chandler are among those attending the current class in Vassalboro. They are expected to graduate later this year.
