VASSALBORO — Three area men received their badges at graduation ceremonies for Maine state police troopers Friday at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

They were among eight who completed 10 weeks of specialized training, in addition to 18 weeks of training required for all Maine police officers. The troopers will patrol with a veteran trooper before patrolling on their own.

Ryan Phillips grew up in Winthrop and graduated from Winthrop High School. He also was an Eagle Scout. Phillips is an Army veteran who served in Iraq and graduated from Husson University. In recent years, Phillips has been an emergency medical technician working full time with an ambulance service. He has been assigned to Troop B in Gray.

Ian Dunn grew up in Bowdoinham and is a graduate of Mount Ararat High School in Topsham. He also is a graduate of the University of Maine at Augusta and is a former Gardiner police officer. He has been assigned to Troop D in Augusta.

Connor Willard grew up in Livermore Falls and is a graduate of Leavitt Area High School in Turner. He has two associate degrees from Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Willard also has been a reserve Livermore Falls police officer. He has also been assigned to Troop D.

Ryan Phillips

Ian Dunn

Connor Willard