Richard Caton IV is surrounded by memories at his new job.
JAY – A Strong man has followed a family tradition of working in law enforcement. Richard Caton IV is patrolling the streets of Jay.
It was his father, the chief of police of Farmington, Richard Caton III, who inspired him to follow the path of justice, Richard Caton IV said. And then there’s his mother, Melinda Caton, Franklin County Sheriff’s dispatch supervisor, and his grandfather, Richard Caton Jr., a former county jail administrator. Plus, the 22-year-old’s twin brother, Brock, is also in the law enforcement field.
Caton said he can remember crawling around under the counters at the dispatch center, which used to be in the jail.
Even now, when he goes to the jail, it brings back memories, he said.
But it wasn’t until he went to the University of Maine at Presque Isle that he decided to pursue a career in criminal justice.
“I never knew what I wanted to do before college,” Caton said.
His first semester was undecided. Then he took an introductory course in criminal justice.
First, he talked to professor Richard Ayre, who helped him make up his mind.
It was a combination of the course, speaking with Ayre and his family that sold him on it.
“I enjoy working with people. My dad encouraged me,” Caton said. “I was always inspired of it from my family. I looked up to my dad.”
The Mount Abram High School graduate and his twin Brock both have pursued law enforcement. Brock works part-time for Livermore Falls Police Department and the University of Maine at Farmington Public Safety Office.
The Jay officer was hired at $14.40 an hour and is expected to attend the Criminal Justice Academy in the next year.
Jay police Chief Larry White said Caton was one of several candidates. He went through a hiring process that included intensive oral boards and an agility test, and his prior education was also taken into account, White said.
“Officer Caton clearly became the top candidate,” White said.
Caton has worked for Jay for a couple of months at temporary full-time status.
“I’ve been very impressed with his job performance and his willingness to be a team player,” White said. “He’s very well liked and respected by his fellow officers.”
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