By JULIE CUNNINGHAM

(Greenfield, MA) Megan Cloutier, Sergeant at the Greenfield Police Department, has been recognized as Essential Worker Young Professional of the Month. Cloutier is a full time officer with the department and is a Detective working in the Sexual Assault unit. She is also a Field Training Officer and an Eyewitness Identification Instructor. Cloutier is assigned to the midnight shift and has been working as a plain cloths detective with a focus on sexual assault and child abuse since the start of the pandemic.

“The way we approached and investigated those type of cases drastically changed due to the concern of COVID-19. What used to be face to face investigations turned into a plethora of phone calls, emails, and zoom meetings with the multi-disciplinary team,” said Cloutier.

In January 2021 Cloutier moved to her new role as a Sergeant.

“In addition to responding to calls for service, I supervise the patrol officers, review reports, approve cases for court, and patrol the streets of Greenfield,” said Cloutier about her new role.

Cloutier didn’t always know she wanted to be a police officer but she knew she wanted to be in some part of public service. Cloutier said in High School she figured out she wanted to be in public service or criminal justice, and thought about social work, juvenile justice, or the FBI. After taking criminal investigations classes in college, Cloutier settled on a carrier as a police officer. She finds the day to day interactions the most interesting, and is proud to work for a department focused on integrity and serving the community.

“Often times we have interactions with citizens during the worst times of their lives. They are in the midst of dealing with tragic situations, emotions run high, and with added stressors of COVID-19 the encounters can be difficult. At times I have to remind myself to not take it personally when there is a stressful situation. Most importantly, to not take those negative interactions home with me so I can be present for my own family,” said Cloutier about the challenges of her job.

To nominate a young professional essential worker, go to the Franklin County Young Professionals of the Year Nomination form, found here.