AUGUSTA — Thirty-seven new police officers joined Maine’s law enforcement community March 23 after graduating from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Waterville. The ceremonies followed 12 weeks of study and training.

John R. Atwood, commissioner of the Maine Department of Public Safety, told the new officers that the training at the academy “has prepared you to face the difficult challenges of your new career. May you carry from here the high standards of police work that typify our law enforcement community in Maine.”

The new officers come from 31 local, county and state law enforcement agencies. The class officers are: Michael S. Porter, president, Portland Police Department; James L. Ellis, vice president, state Fire Marshal’s Office; Steven D. Mosley, secretary, Bar Harbor Police Department; and Lee A. Johnston, treasurer, Bureau of Liquor Enforcement.

The graduates are: Adam D. Higgins, Steven J. MacCallum, James T. Minkowsky, Brian T. O’Malley, Lewiston Police Department; Gary L. Hutcheson, Michael S. Porter, James J. Sweatt,. Portland Police Department; Mary E. Hanson, Robert F. MacKenzie, Kennebunk Police Department; Steven D. Mosley, Bar Harbor Police Department; Stanley K. Cielinski, Bath Police Department; Eric W. Harvey, Belfast Police Department; Elizabeth R. Gaudette, Biddeford Police Department; William G. Willis, Boothbay Harbor Police Department; and Rick A. Canarr,. Brewer Police Department.

Also, William S. Collins, Brunswick Police Department; Christopher A. Carr, Dexter Police Department; Philip D. Hatch, Falmouth Police Department; Jeffrey L. Dunham, Franklin Sheriff’s Office; Don C. Armstrong, Gardiner Police Department; Fernando C. Spagnolo. Jr., Lisbon Police Department; Ross M.Dubois, Madawaska Police Department; James B. Hamilton, Oakland Police Department; Joseph H. Bates, Rockland Police Department; Keifer Gier, Southwest Harbor Police Department; Michael D. Perkins, Waterville Police Department; Paul J. Cox, Windham Police Department; Paul F. Martin, Yarmouth Police Department; Glenn V. Raymond, Newport Police Department; Richard E. Bryant II, Orono Police Department; Niles V. Bowman, Skowhegan Police Department; Paul P. Adams, Thomaston Police Department; Marc R. Bowering, Wilton Police Department; Thomas F. Hoepner,. Wiscasset Police Department; Thomas J. Word,. York Police Department; James L. Ellis, state Fire Marshal’s Office; and Lee A. Johnston, Bureau of Liquor Enforcement.