VASSALBORO, Maine — Five Maine game wardens were among 65 of Maine’s newest police officers who graduated May 18 from the 34th Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLETP) in Vassalboro.
James Gushee, 24, of Fort Kent will join fellow warden graduates in a second phase of training and will attend a 13-week advanced training program, based also at the academy in Vassalboro.
Upon completing the advanced game warden school later this summer, the five will enter a third stage of new employee training, the Warden Training Officer (WTO) program. The WTO program involves several weeks of field work, team building and problem solving.
In addition to Gushee, the new graduates are Game Wardens Tennie Coleman, 33, from Dennistown (Jackman); Michael Latti, 23, from Brunswick; Tyler Leach, 32, from Mechanic Falls; and Jason Voter, 42, from Cornville.
Latti was the 34th BLETP class president, while Leach held the class vice president role.
Cadets learned the importance of lifetime fitness, report writing, understanding the principles of community policing, effective communications and the ability to problem-solve, all with strong ethical oversight standards.
