Nason named to new post at HPD

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Effective Tuesday, Houlton Police Officer Stephen Nason has officially become the department’s first Community Resource Officer (CRO).
    Officer Nason has been with the department for six years and has been the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer for the past four years.
    “I am quite excited about Officer Nason filling this role for the police department,” Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin said. “Officer Nason has done such an excellent job as the DARE officer this seemed a natural fit. For the past three years Officer Nason has been a mentor and positive role model for students in the Southside School.”
Stephen Nason
    Asselin said the creation of a CRO position was made possible by the town’s acceptance of grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice in 2010 to fund another police officer position for three years. That position was filled by Gary McGuire in April of this year. Officer McGuire graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Program on Dec.16, 2011.
    “Having Officer Nason becoming the CRO provides the police department with another opportunity to be progressive in the community,” Asselin said.
    Some of the types of duties the CRO will be responsible for include:
    • Revitalizing, attending meetings and coordinating TRIAD (seniors, law enforcement and service providers) meetings.
    • Revitalizing, attending meetings and coordinating the Neighborhood Watch Program
    • Coordinating and teaching the DARE Program.
    • Coordinating the Citizen’s Police Academy (with Sgt. Fred Parker and Sgt. Eric Crouse’s assistance)
    • Attending community meetings regarding alcohol and drug abuse.
    • Attend and represent the department at Link for Hope meetings.
    • Teaching law enforcement related topics, being a liaison and problem solver at the schools.
    • Provide topic specific training and lectures to community groups and other organizations.
    • Coordinating bike rodeos.
    • Working with businesses to deter shoplifting.
    • Serve as the main point of contact for community groups and organizations.
    Officer Nason will work a flex schedule Monday through Friday days, the chief said. He will also perform his new responsibilities in uniform.
    “If for any reason our ranks get depleted, the CRO would move back into the regular schedule again to save on overtime costs,” he added.
    Meetings will be scheduled between SAD 29 Superintendent Mike Hammer, the school principals and Chief Asselin to work out any details needed to have Officer Nason spend more time in the Houlton schools.
    “The Community Resource Officer is a key component to the department’s overall community policing plans and crime prevention efforts,” Asselin said. “The CRO Program focuses on reducing crime in our community and equally as important, fostering positive relationships.”