Rumford Police Chief Tony Milligan, right, pins a badge Friday on new Patrolman Seth Pond, who was hired as a full-time officer Thursday by a unanimous vote of selectmen. Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times

RUMFORD — The Rumford Police Department welcomed its newest officer Friday, 31-year-old Seth Pond, who previously worked for the Wilton Police Department.

Selectmen voted unanimously Thursday to hire the Marine Corps reservist.

Pond, who lives in Rumford, was sworn in Friday by Town Clerk Beth Bellegarde, and Police Chief Tony Milligan pinned the badge to his uniform.

Pond moved to Maine from Connecticut after his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps Reserve, where he served as headquarters platoon sergeant, assistant operations chief, police sergeant and sergeant of the guard stationed at the First Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment in Brunswick, the chief said.

“We are very pleased that Seth has chosen Rumford as his new home and that he is excited to join our law enforcement team to help keep Rumford a safe and enjoyable place to live, work and play,” Milligan said.

Pond enrolled in the Maine Criminal Justice Academy preservice training program and successfully completed it in April. He was hired as a patrolman by Wilton and completed its training program in August, Milligan said.

Wilton Police Chief Heidi Wilcox recommended him to the Rumford department, saying Pond’s strongest attributes were community policing and communicating with the public, Milligan said.

The patrolman has successfully completed all required assessments, exams and tests and is expected to attend the 18-week Maine Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement Training Program next spring, the chief said.

Officer Amos Abbott, who joined the department a year ago, is resigning effective Sept. 13 to move to Pennsylvania for personal reasons, Milligan said.