VASSALBORO - Maine's 44 newest police officers graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro this morning, said Steve McCausland, spokesman for the state's Public Safety Department.

The class completed 18 weeks of study and training and many of the new officers will begin patrolling next week, he said.

Among the many topics the new officers studied were criminal and traffic law, domestic violence, sexual assault, firearms, first aid, crime-scene processing and emergency-vehicle operation.

The new officers are, alphabetically: Ryan J. Allen, Machias Police; Stephen D. Allen, Livermore Falls Police; Jeremy R. Baron, Wells Police; Toby R. Blodgett, Kennebec County Sheriff's Office. Michelle E. Bulger, tuition student from Thomas College; Wesley W. Butler, Rockport Police.; amd Jeffrey F. Campbell, Bethel Police.

Also Ryan E. Close, Westbrook Police; Jennifer A. Cramer, Rumford Police; Paul M. Doody, Augusta Police; Christopher S. Dyer, Portland Police; Bethany R. Edwards, Portland Police; Matthew I. Estes, Augusta Police; Jamie N. Fanning, Bangor Police; Andrew J. Flynn, Scarborough Police; Mark J. Fucile, Bangor Police; Thomas V. Gabbard, Freeport Police; Donald M. Gibson, Sanford Police; Peter A. Harris, Pleasant Point Police; and Matthew J. Hunt, Farmington Police.

And Christopher L. Hutchings, Hallowell Police; Peter A. Johnson, Presque Isle Police; Anthony S. Keach, Paris Police; David R. Keith, Ogunquit Police; Stewart E. Kennedy, Houlton Police ; Jamie P. Lajoie, Kennebunk Police; Martin J. Legassey, Millinocket Police; Jason P. Matheson, Caribou Police; Patricia J. McLaughlin, Lincoln Police; and Aaron M. Moody, tuition student from Thomas College.

Also Brittany E. Morin, Falmouth Police and tuition student from Thomas College; Joshua E. Muise, Bridgton Police; David M. Mushrall, Waldo County Sheriffs; Kristian M. Oberg, Brunswick Police; Christopher M. Ouellette, Saco Police; Seth S. Page, South Portland Police; Daniel D. Pelkey, North Berwick Police; Paul H. Rondeau Jr., Biddeford Police; Daniel L. Sanborn, Bangor Police; Brian D. Smith Jr., Bangor Police; Scott C. Solorzano, Rockland Police; Randy T. Walker, Carrabassett Valley Police; Christopher K. Wharff, Mount Desert Police; and Andrew J. Wusterbarth, Biddeford Police.

The guest speaker for the graduation was outgoing Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe.