ROCKPORT — The Rockport Police Department has a new patrol officer, Jonathan Poole, who will now serve the community where he has lived since 1999.

Poole had his badge pinning ceremony at the Rockport Select Board meeting Dec. 9. It was a special night for the Poole family with several members in attendance, including his wife Ashley and six-month-old daughter Gwendolyn, along with one of his teachers from Camden Hills Regional High School, Judi Schelble.

His department colleagues, Officer Tony Del Vecchio and Sgt. Jim Moore, also joined Police Chief Randy Gagne at the ceremony to show their support. Poole has been in field training with Moore and Officer Travis Ford since Oct. 15.

Gagne said at the ceremony that Poole has had a childhood dream of working in law enforcement.

Poole recalled an experience while he was in elementary school in Sherborn, Massachusetts, before moving to Rockport, “planted the seed” for his interest to pursue a career in law enforcement. A police officer from Sherborn came to his class to talk about the DARE (drug abuse resistance education) program and Poole said that his presence made him feel safe.

Poole graduated from Camden Hills Regional High School in 2007. He then joined Americorps and one of his experiences included working with Habitat for Humanity in Alabama after Hurricane Katrina and meeting former President Jimmy Carter during the project. 

“I really got to know what it was like to help people,” he said.

Poole said that the support and encouragement from his family and friends about his new career has been phenomenal. He especially credits his wife, Ashley, for being the “driving force” behind his decision to become a police officer.

How does Poole feel about being a police officer where he grew up?

“I love the idea of working as an officer where my daughter is growing up,” he said.

He also said that he already has a lot of familiar relationships with people in Rockport which adds to his belief about the importance of community policing.

Poole is on the waiting list to attend the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro for the 18-week new officer training program beginning in January. Otherwise, he will participate in the May 2020 class.

He said that he is grateful to Gagne for giving him the opportunity to serve the Rockport community.

“I love this town and it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world,” he said.

Sarah Shepherd can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com