ROCKPORT — The Rockport Police Department has a new patrol officer. Jacob Powers joined the department Dec. 18, replacing Robbie Shaw, who left his position in August.

Powers’s law enforcement experience includes positions with the Maine State Police, Troop D, in Augusta, and the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office. After leaving the Sheriff’s Office, he worked for his father’s business for about six months. During that time, he decided that his career interests were with working in a smaller, local police department where he could have closer interaction with the community.

He is currently training with Sgt. Jim Moore during the day shift. He said that he has found Rockport to be a great atmosphere where everyone is friendly. Additionally, he already knows several residents in the community which he believes will help him adapt more easily to his new position.

Powers is a native of Appleton, where he currently resides. He graduated from Camden Hills Regional High School and attended Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania on a wrestling scholarship. After two years, he transferred to the University of Maine at Orono due to an injury and graduated with a sociology degree. He continued to wrestle at Orono and participated in the school’s Division 1 National competition.  

He attended the Maine Criminal Justice Academy after he was hired by the Maine State Police.

Police Chief Randy Gagne said that with the hiring of Powers, the Rockport Police Department is fully staffed. There is one vacancy for a full-time patrol officer at the Camden Police Department, and according to Gagne the position has not yet been advertised. 

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com