Staff reports 6:45 a.m.
Saturday, April 9, 2016 6:48 am
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VASSALBORO, Maine - Richard Spicer of Alfred is the newest Maine State Trooper to serve with Troop A in Alfred, which covers Lebanon.
Spicer is one of 14 men and women who received their badges on Friday in ceremonies at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.
Administrating the oath of office was the Chief of the State Police, Colonel Robert Williams, who told the new Troopers, "You embark on a journey few have taken and will be called upon to do the unthinkable and see things that no one should. All because you have committed yourself to serve as guardians for the people of Maine. Unlike other professions, there is no on and off duty. You are always a Trooper."
Spicer served 10 years with the Coast Guard and is currently serving as a maritime enforcement specialist First Class in the Coast Guard Reserve.
Spicer and the other recruits completed 10 weeks of specialized State Police training and will now patrol with a veteran trooper before patrolling on their own.
State Police continue to have 25 trooper vacancies out of their 330 person compliment, even with the new troopers, and seven more that continue to train at the academy.