VASSALBORO – Maine’s newest police officers graduated recently from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. The 38 new officers completed 18 weeks of study and training, which included such topics as criminal and traffic law, domestic violence, firearms, sexual assault, first aid, crime scene processing and emergency vehicle operation. The commencement speaker for the Dec. 17 graduation was Maine Attorney General G. Steven Rowe.

The new officers from the area are (alphabetical by town or county):

Matthew B. Noyes, Dixfield Police Department; Brian A. Ross, Farmington Police Department; Kenneth A. Charles, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; Ian F. Tait, Fryeburg Police Department; Theodore L. Hatch, Gorham Police Department.

Also, Richard E. Caton IV, Jay Police Department; Michael S. Durham, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office; Kevin T. Hartley, Madison Police Department; Joshua D. Smith, Mechanic Falls Police Department.

In addition, the class included three new Maine Marine Patrol officers, Colin E. MacDonald, David E. Barry and David B. Testaverde; State Trooper recruit Joshua Birmingham; and two tuition students, Mary A. Pratt of Turner and Tristian F. Russell of Litchfield, both students at Thomas College, Waterville.