PARIS — Officer David Peterman, 24, of Fairfield felt a calling to protect people and help keep the community safe. He answered that calling in July by joining the Paris Police Department as a reserve officer. This month, he came on full time and, hopefully he says, in August he will go to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy to take the 18-week course that trains law enforcement officers.

He began his life in Philadelphia where his dad was pastor of a Philadelphia church. When he was 14, the family moved to Liberty, Maine, then to Rockland and, finally, to Fairfield. Peterman was homeschooled.

He enjoys running, exercise and church. He also enjoys hunting but hasn’t done any for a while. He’ll play sports for the enjoyment of being with the group, he says. He played basketball as a high schooler but after his coach died tragically, he stopped and isn’t really in to organized sports.

He and his wife, Jada, have a two-year-old and another on the way. He says he hasn’t mapped out a career plan and is just going with the flow.

“I am taking things as they come. I want to see what I develop into.”  Some in law enforcement enter it with the goal of learning the ropes then moving on to state or federal level. He says he has no such plan. He wants to see what will be the best fit for his interests and skills.

“There are a lot of options and opportunities …”

Supporting Sponsor for the Advertiser Democrat
Keeping communities informed by supporting local news. norwaysavings.bank