Harris promoted to MSP sergeant
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Maine State Police officials gathered at the Troop F barracks in Houlton Monday to promote trooper Brian Harris to the rank of sergeant.
Normally, promotion ceremonies are held in Augusta, but according to Col. Patrick Fleming of the Maine State Police, the decision was made to hold the ceremony at the Houlton barracks so that more of Harris’ family could attend the event.
“We also thought this would be a good opportunity for the command staff to come up to the County,” said Col. Patrick Fleming.
Harris was required to take a sergeant’s exam and have a personal interview conducted by Col. Fleming. That interview took place last week in the County. Harris was one of six candidates for the position. Several members of Harris’ family were on-hand for the ceremony, including his wife Sandy and twin children Caitlyn and Caleb.
“It’s kind of overwhelming,” Harris said. “I’ve been in the state police for 16 years, all of them here at Troop F in Houlton. A few year’s ago, I saw myself getting involved in a more leadership position and started working towards that goal. This is a natural progression for me and I have finally achieved that goal.”
Harris added he was pleasantly surprised when he learned of the promotion and even more honored by the fact that the ceremony would take place in Houlton.
“For them to come up here, so that all of my family and co-workers could take part was very nice,” he said.
Going from a trooper to sergeant, Harris will now have a section of six troopers whom he will work closely with in a supervisory role.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
