WILTON – Police officers here have completed training courses while dealing with an increase in assaults and thefts during this first quarter, Chief Dennis Brown told selectmen this week.

The department dealt with 161 criminal investigations over the past three months, with 32 assaults, including domestic, and 32 thefts.

While continuing to work regular hours, officers expanded their training.

Officer Rick Billian recently completed a drug recognition expert course at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. The 80 hours of training qualifies him as an expert to testify and evaluate drivers who may be under the influence of a narcotic, Brown said.

There are approximately 100 officers qualified as drug recognition experts in Maine with few available locally, he said.

Officer Josh King recently completed a method of instruction course at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy qualifying him to teach academy-level courses and assist with in-service training. King already used his certification to teach a reserve academy.

King is also completing a bachelors degree at the University of Maine at Farmington and should graduate in May.

Brown recently completed his masters degree in criminal justice from East Carolina University and also completed a masters-level course designed to improve leadership, risk management and personnel development. That course was offered through Pennsylvanian State University at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

Officer Timothy Coombs completed eight weeks of the department’s field-training program. Another four weeks will be completed after he takes the basic class at the academy.

Officer Mark Przeslak completed 12 weeks of field training during the quarter.

The department office will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday by Lucille Porter of Farmington. A retired teacher from the Houlton area, Porter is being trained to help people at the front desk during those hours.