ROCKLAND — Rockland Police has hired a new patrol officer, according to a news release on the department’s Facebook page Oct. 5.

Anne Griffith began her duties with the department on Monday, Oct. 2.

Griffith was born and raised in the Midcoast and graduated from Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport. She attended college in Boston before returning to Maine.

Griffith worked as an investigative analyst for the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit and as a reserve police officer for Belfast.

She said that law enforcement runs in her family, along with the ethos of giving back to the community and doing her civic duty.

"About four years ago I started working as a part-time patrol officer in a small-town police department and realized this is the career I was passionate about," said Griffith.

Griffith spent two-and-a-half years working at the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit as an investigative analyst. She assisted the detectives and special agents in conducting background investigations on child pornography offenses. She also worked as the evidence technician for the unit and assisted federal, state, and local municipalities with computer based crimes.

She was trained extensively in investigating child exploitation and the use of social media in criminal acts, according to the release.

Griffith said her most memorable case so far was assisting in the investigation of a child exploitation case based in Maine.

"The lead detective and I worked closely together on sorting through hundreds of pieces of data, and we identified multiple adults suspected of abusing and exploiting a 10-year-old. That child was rescued and moved to safety. It was very satisfying to know that I helped to make a real and positive difference in the life of a child," she said.

Griffith said she decided to work for Rockland because through working with the Computer Crimes Unit, she was able to work closely with the detectives and patrol officers of the Rockland department on many occasions.

"I was always impressed with their professionalism, and their passion for the job. I’m looking forward to getting to know the community and to helping Rockland stay safe," she said.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com