Maine State Trooper Connor Walton, who was raised in and grew up in Barryville, New York, and has been a Maine resident for the past three years, is among Maine’s eight newest state troopers. He will serve at Troop A in Alfred.

 The troopers received their badges in ceremonies at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro on Friday.

 The new troopers completed ten weeks of specialized State Police training, which is in addition to the eighteen weeks of training required for all Maine police officers, said Maine Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland.  

 The new troopers will now patrol with a veteran trooper before patrolling on their own, McCausland said.

Administrating the oath of office was  Chief of the Maine State Police, Colonel Robert Williams, who told the new troopers, “ You are entering a profession where you see people at their lowest.  Resist being judgmental and always treat everyone with respect and dignity.”

 Walton previously served five years in the U.S. Coast Guard.

McCausland  said Maine State Police have six other prospective troopers in the current basic police academy, but still have fifteen vacancies in the 330 person department.

“Job applications are accepted continually,” McCausland said.