FAIRFIELD - The Fairfield Police Department has welcomed Waterville resident Christopher Parker onto its force.

Chief John Emery said Tuesday that the town hired Parker, 34, as a full-time officer on Dec. 18, bringing its full-time force to 12. There are five part-time police officers.

Parker, who grew up in Hartland, graduated from Nokomis Regional High School.

Parker, who has been a part-timer in Fairfield since late last autumn, had been a part-time police officer in Clinton, and security officer at Thomas College. Prior to that, he worked as an emergency medical technician.

He will take the 18-week Maine Criminal Justice Academy course this fall, Emery said.