MAINE
Somerset County
Sheriff Dale Lancaster
In 1984, Sheriff Lancaster enlisted in the Maine State Police. He graduated from the 38th training troop and, upon graduation, was assigned to the Troop C barracks in Skowhegan patrolling Somerset County. While with the Maine State Police, he held the ranks of Trooper, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Detective Lieutenant overseeing Major Crimes in Southern Maine. In 1998, Sheriff Lancaster became the Troop Commander for Troop C. In 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Major overseeing all State Police field troops, criminal divisions and truck weights. During his employment with the Maine State Police, Sheriff Lancaster held the specialties of tactical team member and also a K9 handler. In 2008, Sheriff Lancaster graduated from the 235th FBI National Academy held in Quantico, Virginia.
Sheriff Lancaster received these distinguished awards from the Maine State Police:
Trooper of the Year for Troop C - 1998
Outstanding Detective for CID II – 1992 as a Detective
Outstanding Officer for CID II – 1995 as a Detective Sergeant
Sheriff Lancaster retired from the Maine State Police in 2011, and in that same year, he returned to Skowhegan as the Deputy Chief of the Skowhegan Police Department.
In July 2012, Sheriff Lancaster was appointed Chief Deputy for the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. In 2014, Sheriff Lancaster completed the training and was certified as a full-time corrections officer by the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. In 2016, Sheriff Lancaster graduated from the National Sheriffs’ Institute. Sheriff Lancaster currently serves on the New England State Police Information Network’s Board of Directors. Since taking office in 2015, the Somerset County Jail has become nationally accredited, and the Patrol Division has been awarded MLEAP accreditation. Sheriff Lancaster holds a degree in Criminal Justice and is presently the President of the Maine Sheriffs’ Association.
Sheriff Dale P. Lancaster took the constitutional oath of office as Sheriff of Somerset County in January 2015. Sheriff Lancaster is a 49-year veteran of law enforcement in the State of Maine.
Sheriff Lancaster started his career in 1974 as a corrections officer /dispatcher for the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office and transferred to the patrol division in 1975 after graduating from the Municipal/County Basic Public Safety Academy.
In 1976, Sheriff Lancaster left the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office to join the Skowhegan Police Department. While employed with the Skowhegan Police Department, he held the ranks of Detective and Patrol Sergeant. In 1979, Sheriff Lancaster received a commendation from the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office for investigations of major felony cases.