FARMINGTON – Selectmen approved hiring a new police officer on Tuesday but the department still faces two vacancies, police Chief Richard Caton III told the board.

Matthew J. Hunt of Brunswick began work Wednesday after the board confirmed his hiring. Hunt has a degree from Husson College and worked security at Bowdoin College but needs to attend the police academy, Caton said. He fills a full-time position left by Kyle Ellis.

Caton continues to seek an officer to fill William Cook’s position. Cook resigned last month. Come Aug. 20, officer Mary Hastings will leave the department to take a position with security at the University of Maine at Farmington, he said. Hastings will continue with the department as a part-time reserve officer.

Caton has eight candidates that he plans to test and put through oral boards next week, he said.