New Farmington police officers, from left, Donald Gray, Jonathan Parker and Rex Schweighofer, were introduced Tuesday night at the selectmen meeting. Ethan Bronson, another new police officer, was unable to attend the meeting. Farmington Police Department
FARMINGTON — Three new police officers were introduced Tuesday night at the selectmen meeting.
“We are a far cry from where we were at this time last year,” Police Chief Kenneth Charles said. “We have had a really successful turnaround.”
The department has one opening in the detective division, Charles said.
Officer Donald Gray grew up in Richmond, obtained a degree in criminal justice from Norwich University in Vermont, and was commissioned for active duty in the U.S. Army.
“I did that for about eight years, went over to Afghanistan and decided it was time to come back home,” Gray said. “I got my criminal justice start at Portland (Police Department).”
Officer Jonathon Parker was born in Farmington and graduated from Mt. Blue High School in 2000.
“I went to school for criminal justice at (Southern Maine Community College), just recently finished my degree,” Parker said. “I spent 19 years with Walmart as assets protection investigating manager and just recently decided to join the ranks at Farmington PD.”
Officer Rex Schweighofer is from Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and moved to Maine about three and a half years ago.
“I started my law enforcement career in Old Orchard (Beach), went to Dixfield PD,” he said. “I also did some work with Wilton and Fryeburg.”
Charles said, “As you can tell from the brief resume, these are guys who have a lot of life experience. They have got good education.” They have all been to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and are certified, he said.
Ethan Bronson, another new police officer, was unable to attend the meeting.
Selectmen permitted Charles to accept a $2,500 grant from Walmart for a new laptop computer, a new printer and other supplies.
“The laptop that we use over at the (jail) in the intake room is severely dilapidated, it is pieced together,” Parker said.
The department will replace the laptop and printer, plus buy supplies with the $2,500, Charles said.
In other business, selectmen permitted the Parks and Recreation Department to accept $3,045.55 in donations for new equipment.
Jared Ranger, on behalf of Western Maine Financial Services, secured $400 to purchase new lacrosse sticks. Amanda and Pete Roberts donated 25 pairs of gloves and 10 helmets, valued at $2,645.55.
Between eight and 18 children have been in the youth lacrosse program. This spring there are 60, Matt Foster, director of Parks and Recreation, said. The department was able to purchase 10 sticks with its money, he noted.
There is no fifth-sixth grade travel lacrosse team this year, and Parks and Recreation is hosting an in-house league and has been allowed use of Kemp Field, he said.
“We are excited to see where we go from here,” Foster added.
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