03-04-2025
Sara Donahue sworn in as an officer with the Norwich Police Department: How is NPD staffing?
Sara Donahue was sworn in as the newest police officer with the Norwich Police Department Wednesday.
Donahue said she has always wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement.
'I have always wanted to be in a job where I knew I'd learn something new every single day,' Donahue said.
She hopes to climb the ranks in the Norwich Police Department and join as many specialized teams as possible. One team in particular she plans on joining is the crisis intervention team. She is also considering joining the department's K-9 division one day.
Following Donahue's appointment, the Norwich Police Department now has 16 female police officers. Norwich Police Chief Patrick Daley said his department is 11 officers shy of being fully staffed after Donahue was appointed.
Donahue will begin the 386th training session at the Connecticut Municipal Police Academy on April 3. She is expected to graduate from the police academy in October of this year.
Upon completion of the police academy, Donahue will begin an extensive field orientation training program. After she completes the field training, Donahue will be assigned to a shift within the Norwich Police Department's patrol division.
Donahue was born and raised in Cumberland, Rhode Island. She attended Cumberland High School where she participated in track and field before graduating in 2012. After high school, Donahue joined the 115th Military Police Academy in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where she ultimately rose to her current rank of staff sergeant.
Donahue was deployed to Afghanistan in 2020 for 11 months under Operation Resolute Support. While there, she supervised a platoon of 35 troops.
Upon returning to the U.S., Donahue received a Meritorious Service Medal for bringing all her troops home.
Donahue holds a bachelor's degree in justice studies from Rhode Island College and was previously employed as a security officer for the Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. She currently lives in Lisbon.
This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Sara Donahue sworn in as officer with Norwich Police
