By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
The Presque Isle Police Department has seen a bit of change over the past year, with several officers departing and new ones hired to fill the vacancies, including a recent graduate of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.
Maine’s 50 newest police officers included members of municipal, county and state ranks. They completed 18 weeks of study and training on topics including: criminal and traffic law, domestic violence, sexual assault, firearms, first aid, crime scene processing and emergency vehicle operation.
Among the graduates with local connections were: Kyle White, of Easton, of the PIPD; William Jepson, Wells Police Department and formerly PIPD; and Ethan Doody, of Washburn, who formerly worked with the Washburn Police Department and now will join the ranks of the Maine State Police as a state trooper. Doody will now begin patrolling with a veteran trooper and will attend another 10 weeks of State Police training at the police academy, beginning in February.
Changeover at the PIPD began earlier in 2013, when Ryan Eagles was hired to replace Officer Pete Johnson.
“Ryan joined us when Pete changed assignments and went to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Ryan graduated the MCJA last spring and has been doing a fine job. He had some prior experience from part-time work at Fort Fairfield and Limestone police departments. He’s a graduate of UMPI’s criminal justice program,” said Chief Matt Irwin, of the PIPD.
White replaces Officer Rob Thibeault, who went to work for the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
“Kyle has previous court security experience and graduated from the MCJA on Dec. 20. Kyle’s worked for the PIPD for several months prior to attending the academy and did a great job. I expect that will continue upon his return from the academy,” said Irwin.
Kaitlyn McLaughlin replaced Officer Cole Chandler, who left northern Maine for a position farther south.
“Kaitlyn will be attending the next MCJA this coming January. She has no previous law enforcement experience but does have some loss prevention experience at a local retailer,” said Irwin. “Kaitlyn has been immersed in her field, training in preparation for the MCJA. I expect she will be a great addition to the department.”
Lucas Hafford has assumed the position formerly held by Officer Lynn Hartley, who took a job out of state.
“The position was originally taken by William Jepson, but Jepson had to resign midway through the academy to relocate in the state. Lucas will attend the August 2014 MCJA if all goes as intended,” said Irwin. “He has prior part-time law enforcement experience with the Ashland and Limestone police departments.”
Irwin expects to be hiring yet another officer in the near future, to replace Johnson — who was a PIPD officer assigned for a set period with the MDEA. Johnson has taken a position as deputy with the ACSO.
“All of the new employees are young, energetic and enthusiastic police officers. They have injected new enthusiasm into the department and we are excited to have them. All of them are either life-long residents of The County or have very strong ties to The County, so we hope to have them at the PIPD for a long time,” said Irwin.
