Maine's newest State Troopers received their badges today in ceremonies at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. The five troopers completed 10 weeks of specialized State Police training. All are previous graduates of the academy. The new troopers will now patrol with a veteran trooper before beginning to patrol on their own. The graduation speaker was Governor Paul LePage who noted that the five troopers all grew up in Maine and thanked them for wanting to serve their state.

Deputy Chief of the State Police, John Cote, told the new troopers, "you will witness events and activities that few people see, and your presence represents order, compassion and reason."

State Police accept job applications continually and have fourteen vacancies in the 330 person department.

The new troopers are:

Travis Doughty grew up in Argyle and graduated from Old Town High School in 2014. He graduated from Eastern Maine Community College with an associate degree in applied science. He is assigned to Troop A, York County.

Benjamin Handzel grew up in Orland. He was homeschooled through high school, and graduated from Eastern Maine Community College with an associate degree in criminal justice. He will be patrolling in Troop A, York County.

David Olmstead grew up in Milo and graduated from Penquis Valley High School in 2008. He enlisted in the Maine Army National Guard and deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. He has been a patrol officer with Bangor Police for the past five years. He is assigned to Troop E, Penobscot County

Lauren Roddy grew up in Belgrade and graduated from Messalonskee High School and the University of Maine at Augusta. She is a former Maine Game Warden. Roddy is assigned to Troop D, patrolling Waldo County.

Shaunna Beaudoin grew up in Brookton Township in Washington County. She graduated from East Grand High School in 2013 and graduated from Husson University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Beaudoin is a former reserve police officer in Wells and also was an assistant varsity softball coach at East Grand High School. Beaudoin is assigned to Troop J, Washington County.