CAMDEN — The Camden Police Department has promoted Mark Bennett from animal control and parking enforcement officer to a full-time patrol officer.

He has been training and working in his new position since July.

“I have always wanted to be a patrol officer,” Bennett said. “I enjoy the community policing aspect of the job, especially with kids and the different types of calls.”

He added that moving into his new position was an easier transition since he already knew so many people in Camden.

Bennett joined the department in January 2014.

He is a native of Brooks and graduated from Mount View High School in Thorndike.

He attended Beals College in Bangor where he earned an associate degree in law enforcement.

Bennett plans to attend the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, in Vassalboro, for his new officer training, in January 2019.

The department is fully staffed with the promotion of Bennett.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com