PARIS — On Dec. 23, 1996, a newspaper article ran in the Sun Journal about a 29-year-old Lewiston patrolman named Roland Godbout. Godbout, a native of Lewiston-Auburn, played Hockey under Shawn Walsh at the University of Maine, and then returned home to start a career in Law Enforcement.

Roland Godbout, demonstrating suspect apprehension with Annette Kimball. Brewster Burns

The writer, Carol Clapp, followed Officer Godbout throughout the day, documenting his numerous police calls, investigative work, and instances of helping others solve their respective problems.

Fast forward a couple of decades, and Roland Godbout’s trajectory into education is as remarkable as the positive impact he has had on students in his Law Enforcement program at Oxford Hills Technical School.

After serving nearly 30 years in Law Enforcement with the Lewiston Police Department, Godbout could have easily spent his well-deserved retirement days hunting, fishing, relaxing, and being a husband and dad. Instead, he chose to embark on a new path while still helping others – a path that would bring his wealth of experience to the next generation of Police Officers, Military, Game Wardens, and Emergency Technicians.

Godbout entered teaching in 2020, and his entry was fraught with hurdles. He was taking over a program with only eight students enrolled, during a pandemic, and his first high school teaching experience was to instruct virtual classes online.

“The lesson I learned that first year was simple, kids don’t learn well in isolation and online. If I was going to reach them, develop a program, and provide meaningful training, it was essential for them to be part of a team and in the community. Once we were allowed back in school, my goal was to get kids out of the building and to witness first-hand the work that so many law enforcement professionals are involved in.”

With a vast network of contacts in the local and State Law Enforcement community, Godbout opened up countless community opportunities for his students, offering a variety of live work experiences that brings the curriculum to life.

“My goal is to spend 20% of the school year with community partners such as the Maine State Police, local law enforcement, and government agencies, so students can experience real-life training.”

In just four short years, Godbout has transformed the program and can now be found teaching 30 students enrolled in Law Enforcement at Oxford Hills Technical School. Additionally, he has expanded the program’s reach, partnering with Central Maine Community College to offer dual credit courses in Law Enforcement.

One such former student who recently benefited from Godbout’s leadership is Emmett Hand. Hand is a 2023 OHCHS graduate who is currently in the Conservation Law Enforcement program at CMCC and is aspiring to be a Game Warden.

“I am so far ahead in my educational and professional career because of Mr. Godbout,” explained Hand.

“I was able to apply the college course he teaches in Law Enforcement along with two other dual credit courses. It has me on a fast track at CMCC along with applying to be a game warden. Because of this, I can attend the Maine Police Academy a year early. I appreciate Mr. Godbout so much, and it’s so cool he was awarded CTE Teacher of the Year. I check in with him all the time. He’s been such a true mentor in my life and in so many other’s.”

In addition to community law enforcement scenarios and guest speakers, Godbout is dedicated to providing students with every possible advantage as they step into their futures. Kadence Gibbs is a 3rd-year Law Enforcement student with the future goal of being a game warden.

“Mr. Godbout has done so much for me professionally. He has helped me aspire to a career in law enforcement and become a Game Warden. He advocates for me, he prepares for every situation and he has helped me make so many professional connections. He has already gotten me to participate in a Norway Fire Department training and a variety of ride-alongs with the Oxford Police Department.”

Gibbs describes the following: “I have learned so much about crime scene investigations, rescue scenarios, how to de-escalate situations, defense tactics, handcuffing, fingerprinting, Narcan training, you name it. He has taught me so much that has helped me aspire to be a professional, but he has also been a mentor to me.

“He means a lot to me. He helped me with the passing of my Grandfather and was there for me the entire time. He is first on my list to go and talk to any time something is bothering me. He is kind of a combination of a mentor, therapist, and grandfather, and you know he cares about you and every one of his students way beyond the classroom.”

Godbout continues the work he began as a young man in 1996. Now, however, he is teaching and mentoring our up-and-coming police force – preparing them for the vast duties they’ll be required to professionally carry out as they protect our communities.