Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
PHOTO: Retired Westbrook Police Chief Janine Roberts has a dance at a Wreaths Across American event. (Submitted photo)
COLUMBIA FALLS — Wreaths Across America has announced the hiring of law enforcement trailblazer retired Westbrook Police Chief Janine Roberts as its new law enforcement liaison.
Roberts will work with federal, state and local law enforcement representatives to support WAA’s mission to “Remember, Honor and Teach” on a local level, connecting officers with some of the more than 2,500 participating locations across the country.
Roberts will also continue to lead and mentor the Law Enforcement Planning Team that coordinates and plans the week-long WAA convoy from Harrington to Arlington, Va. The convoy typically consists of 15 WAA wrapped Chevrolet SUVs, three 15-passenger vans, five motorcycles, a bus, 12 tractor trailers and 15 police cruisers.
Participants include Gold and Blue Star families, veterans, professional truck drivers, police officers, members of the WAA extended family, and members of the public. During the week-long event, the convoy stops at more than 20 local venues through nine states and the District of Columbia for ceremonies, culminating with the laying of the veterans’ wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery on Wreaths Across America Day — to be held this year on Saturday, Dec. 18.
“Janine has volunteered her services to Wreaths Across America for many years, and the people who are involved with our convoy consider her family,” said Karen Worcester, executive director for Wreaths Across America.
“When she retired from police work, we knew we had to find a way for her to continue to work with us and are just thrilled she has decided to lend her expertise and experience to better serve the mission and help grow the involvement of the law enforcement community in it,” she added.
Roberts is a 35-year law enforcement veteran, retiring in 2020. She served with the Portland Maine Police Department for 29 years, reaching the rank of lieutenant, before stepping in as police chief for the Westbrook Police Department in 2014.
Throughout her career, one of Robert’s strengths was her dedication to creating positive and lasting relationships with all segments of the communities she served, Wreaths Across American officials said.
“I am honored and excited to be selected as WAA’s Law Enforcement Liaison,” said Roberts. “Having the opportunity to join the WAA family to make a difference for our veterans and their families while recruiting officers from across the country to join WAA’s mission to Remember, Honor, Teach is the perfect job for me.”
