New troopers earn badges, assignments

VASSALBORO — Maine’s 14 newest troopers received their badges in ceremonies Friday at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.

Right: Toral Nelson
Left: Cooper Plaisted

The new troopers completed 10 weeks of specialized State Police training and will now patrol with a veteran trooper before patrolling on their own.

Troopers Toral Nelson and Cooper Plaisted have been assigned to Troop E in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

Nelson, from Holden, graduated from Brewer High School in 2011 and from Thomas College in 2015.

Plaisted is from Hampden and is a 2009 graduate of Hampden Academy and a 2013 graduate of the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Prior to being hired by the Maine State Police, he worked as a police officer at the Rockport Police Department.

Administering 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.”

State Police continue to have 25 trooper vacancies out of their 330-person complement, even with the new troopers, and seven more that continue to train at the academy.