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• Hudson Police Department has two new officers

By Meg Heaton

mheaton@rivertowns.net

The Hudson Police Department has two new full-time patrol officers following swearing ceremonies last week at City Hall.

Traci Haines, 24, of Somerset, and John Worden, 37, of Hudson, fill vacancies in the department.

Haines was born in Hudson but grew up in Somerset. She holds an associate degree in law enforcement from Alexandria (Minn.) Technical College, and a bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation with an emphasis on community policing from UW-Stout.

Haines has worked part-time for the Hudson Police Department since 2004. She said she became a police officer because she likes dealing with the public. "I like being there to help people when they need it. I also like the excitement and the pride that comes with being in law enforcement."

Haines is one of only two women officers in the department but she says she has worked long enough in the HPD to know that gender is not an issue. Haines said she hopes to have a long career in Hudson.

John Worden and his wife, Dr. Heidi Huser, have lived in Hudson for a year. She is a family practice doctor with the Park Nicollet Clinic in the Twin Cities. Prior to working with the HPD, Worden was a police officer in Amery for four years. He has worked as a part-time officer in Hudson since January..

Worden has a bachelor's degree in sociology and criminal justice from Moorhead State University in Minnesota and a master's degree in sociology and criminology from North Illinois University. He received his police academy training at Chippewa Valley Technical College.

Worden said he became acquainted with police work through his father who was in the military police for 26 years. He said he also likes helping people and "being able to make a difference."

"We have fallen in love with Hudson and I like the idea of giving back to the community we live in as a public servant."

Both officers say they feel fortunate to work in a department of experienced officers. Haines and Worden have begun a three-month field training program which will not only acquaint them with the department and the officers they work with but also the community.