VASSALBORO, Maine — Maine State Police welcomed 12 new troopers to its ranks Friday, as graduates from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy were honored during a ceremony. The group includes individuals with unique law enforcement backgrounds, including one trooper relocating from Alaska.
According to Lieutenant Aaron Turcotte, this graduation comes amid ongoing efforts to recruit and retain law enforcement personnel. Just a year ago, the department faced around 59 vacancies. Due to new initiatives, that gap is steadily closing.
"Thanks to the last Legislature, we've seen a significant pay increase," Turcotte said. "When you factor in those improvements and our new training model, we're seeing more applicants than ever before."
Of the 12 graduates, 11 came from other agencies, ranging from local departments to state-level organizations like the Vermont State Police. Turcotte added that specialties offered by the Maine State Police, such as investigating most of the state's homicides, make it an appealing choice for officers looking to advance their careers.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, who served as the keynote speaker at the graduation, announced a major boost in funding for Maine's public safety departments. Through the Senate Appropriations Committee, $37 million will be allocated to projects supporting police and public safety initiatives statewide.
Collins emphasized the importance of investing in law enforcement at all levels to ensure community safety and maintain a well-resourced police force.