VASSALBORO — Maine’s 60 newest police officers graduated Friday from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, according to Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

The officers, who mostly come from the local and county ranks, spent 18 weeks at the academy studying crime scene processing, emergency vehicle operation, first aid, traffic and criminal law, domestic violence and sexual assault. Most of them will begin patrolling immediately, in time for Christmas and New Year’s enforcement efforts.

Officers assigned locally include:

* Pedro Becerra-Avilez and Christopher P. Saunders, Auburn Police

* Jesse A. Clement, Carrabassett Valley Police

* Rafael M. Mendoza, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office

* Garrett M. Clark and Andrew M. James, Lewiston Police

* Stephen E. Gould, Livermore Falls Police

* Joshua H. Daley, Oxford County Sheriff’s Office

* Lawrence G. Briggs, Rumford Police

* Donald R. Cowles, Topsham Police

* Joshua M. Hammond and Tyler W. Nadeau, Winthrop Police

Also graduating were 11 state trooper recruits who will take part in an additional 10 weeks of state police training beginning in February: Nathan R. Bernier, Justin M. Carter, Travis R. Chapman, Sander M. Cowie, Matthew P. Curtin, Patrick R. Flanagan, Toral K. Nelson, Patrick T. Pescitelli, Tyler S. Plourde, Jacob M. Roddy and Richard E.A. Spicer.

Copy the Story Link