VASSALBORO, ME — The Maine Criminal Justice Academy recently graduated 63 new police officers today from its 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP). Four were Maine game wardens who will now be entering their next phase of training.
The new wardens, two of whom will serve in Aroostook County, will participate in an intensive Warden Training Officer (WTO) program involving field work, team building and problem solving. Following the WTO program will be a twelve-week Advanced Game Warden Academy, also based at the academy in Vassalboro.
Newly graduated are Game Wardens John Carter, 28, from Unity; Kale O’Leary, 23, from Fort Kent; Nicholas Raymond, 24, from Winslow; and Harrison Wiegman, 24, from Leeds.
They have been assigned their patrol areas. Carter has been assigned to the Blue Hill district, O’Leary is headed for the Masardis district, Raymond will serve the Fort Kent district, and Wiegman will cover the Jackman district.
Academy officials say the Maine Warden Service has always produced top candidates, and this class was no exception. Wiegman was elected class vice president and took with him two additional class awards, one for attaining class valedictorian as well as the academic proficiency award. Carter was also named a class officer and held the role of treasurer.
Gov. Paul LePage provided the commencement address. The Warden Service congratulated all those who graduated and their families, and wished them all a safe and fulfilling career in law enforcement.
