Rice Lake
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Beyond the Trail | Susie Taylor | Law Enforcement Academy Graduate
November 28, 2025
When you talk with Susie Taylor, one thing becomes clear fast: her path to becoming the first female Chief of Police for the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Tribe was not a straight line. It was built through service, learning, and a whole lot of heart.
Her story starts long before she walked into the Law Enforcement Academy at Northwood Technical College. She had already spent years helping people as a Clerk of Court and as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Those early roles sparked something in her. “They really shaped my passion for justice and supporting those in need,” she said.
Choosing the academy was not a complicated decision. It fit her life and her goals. It allowed her to keep traveling from Stone Lake and aligned with the department that sponsored her. But what she found there went far beyond convenience.
“The instructors truly took the time to get to know each student and understand the specific communities we would be serving,” she said. “We were never treated like just a number or a dollar going through their doors. The staff genuinely cared about our success.”
That support mattered. As a first-generation college student, Taylor had already fought hard for every step. She earned an associate degree in nursing, then a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and now she is working toward a master’s degree in law enforcement administration. “I consider myself a lifelong learner and truly believe that you can never know enough,” she said. “In this profession, I have found that you can learn something from everyone you meet.”
Today, that mindset shows up in her leadership. Every day in uniform looks a little different, and that is part of what she loves. “It brings different challenges daily and your days are never the same,” she said. “I enjoy being able to help others, promote safety, and build trust within the community.”
Being chief also means being a visible role model for the youth in the Lac Courte Oreilles community. It is a responsibility she carries with pride.
And outside the badge, Taylor is a proud boy mom who loves family time, traveling, and being outdoors. Balancing all of it, including career, motherhood, and leadership, has taught her “patience, strength, and gratitude,” qualities she brings into every part of her life.
For anyone considering a program at Northwood Tech, her advice comes from experience. “Northwood Tech offers a personalized and hands-on learning experience,” she said. “The instructors are dedicated professionals who take the time to understand each student’s goals and assist in helping students reach those goals.”
Taylor’s journey reflects exactly what Northwood Tech aims to do: support students, strengthen communities, and transform lives through education. Her work in the Lac Courte Oreilles community is a powerful example of how that mission continues well beyond graduation.
