VASSALBORO, ME — The Maine Warden Service graduated 10 new game wardens Thursday, April 27, 2017 at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.
Locally, Fort Kent native Kale Oleary will be assigned to the Masardis District. Also serving in Aroostook County will be Kyle Franklin of Durham, who will be stationed in the Estcourt Station District; Kayle Hamilton of Buxton, going to the Clayton Lake District; Megan Miller of Pittsfield, assigned to the Mars Hill District; and Nick Raymond of Winslow, who will also serve in Fort Kent.
The new wardens recently completed an extensive 12-week advanced academy specifically for Maine’s game wardens. The Advanced Warden Academy followed the 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP) required of all full-time Maine police officers.
The past 12 weeks prepared the new wardens by utilizing classroom, field and scenario-based training components. Critical aspects of game warden work, including search and rescue, recreational vehicle crash investigation, snowmobiling, water survival, physical fitness, Jiu Jitsu, public relations and bureau policies and procedures were among the many topics of training covered.
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Chandler Woodcock addressed the graduating class, as did Game Warden Service Colonel Joel Wilkinson, Chaplain Kate Braestrup and Warden Service Captain Shon Theriault. Game Warden Harry Wiegman was the class speaker, while Game Warden Lieutenant Adam Gormely gave the keynote address.
Other graduates include: Camden Akins of Winslow, going to the Chamberlain Lake District; John Carter of Orrington, assigned to the Blue Hill District; Lauren Roddy of Belgrade, going to the Jackman District;
Taylor Valente of Gray-New Gloucester, who will go to the Rockwood District; and Harry Wiegman of Leeds, serving the Rangeley District.
