ROCKLAND — Rockland police announced in a news release on its Facebook page, Aug. 6, that Officer Tyler Monsees has joined the Rockland Police Department as a patrol officer.

Monsees is a native of Long Island, N.Y. He graduated from Sachem East High School and received an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Suffolk County Community College in Selden, N.Y.

He said that he always wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement, but wanted to leave the “hustle and bustle” of New York and felt Rockland was the perfect fit, according to the news release.

Monsees met his wife at a Trader Joe's in New York and began traveling for a few years in Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico, India, and Nepal.

He moved to Maine from New York with his wife and added a baby boy, Theodore, to their family.

In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and surfing.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com