County men graduate from Maine Criminal Justice Academy (RE: Unity College student Aaron Cross) 

By Jay Davis
VillageSoup/Waldo County Citizen Senior Reporter
VASSALBORO (Dec 19): Three Waldo County residents were among 49 law enforcers who graduated Friday, Dec. 14, from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

Waldo County Sheriff's Department Deputies C. Glenn Graef and Dan Thompson and Game Warden Aaron Cross (Unity College student) earned their badges following an intensive 18-week course.

The ceremony, complete with bagpipes, graduates in full uniforms that included white gloves and an address by state Attorney General Steve Rowe, was held in a large auditorium lined with murals depicting a Maine downtown. Many of the images were from Belfast, including the Colonial Theatre and Kief's Barber Shop, though it had a different name.

 
Waldo County Sheriff Scott Story pins a badge on Deputy Glenn Graef. (Photo by Jay Davis)

A highlight of the 90-minute exercise was the pinning of a badge on each of the graduates. Sheriff Scott Story did the honor for Graef, as did Thompson's father, David Thompson for his son and acting Warden's Service Director Gregory Sanborn for Cross.

Rowe spoke to the graduates about the pervasive challenges of domestic abuse and substance abuse, which create dangers for those in law enforcement. He also urged them to reject bias so “everyone in Maine feels valued and respected as a person.”

Rowe advised the graduates against bringing the stress and pressures of work home to their families, and concluded by saying, “Always protect your integrity. That's the most important thing I will say today. Be concerned about your character, not your reputation.”

 
Dan Thompson's father David pins a badge on his son during Friday's graduation ceremony. (Photo by Jay Davis)

Graef, Cross and Thompson were part of the 13th Basic Law Enforcement Program held at the academy in Vassalboro. The course is required for full-time law enforcers in Maine and is usually paid for by police and sheriff's departments that employ the graduates.

Students stay at the academy, formerly the private Oak Grove Coburn, during the week and receive training in many aspects of police work, including criminal and traffic law, domestic violence, firearms, first aid, crime scene processing, sexual assault and emergency vehicle operation. During the ceremony, the training program was described as one of the best in the nation.

Waldo County Sheriff Scott Story, left, poses with three local graduates: from left, Deputy Glenn Graef, Warden Aaron Cross (Unity College student) and Deputy Dan Thompson. (Photo by Jay Davis)

The auditorium was full for the ceremony, with families and friends of the graduates mixing easily with officers in their dress uniforms, including the colorful red jackets worn by the Warden's Service.