FALMOUTH — A new police officer has been hired as part of the Police Department’s plan to add a second detective.

Officer Stephen Brown will step into the new post on July 7 and will later attend an 18-week training program at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro, according to a department news release.

Brown is no stranger to the department. Since May 2013, he has served as a part-time reserve officer. Brown grew up in Falmouth and attended Falmouth schools, according to the release.

After high school, Brown enlisted in the U.S. Army and served tours of duty in Korea and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, Brown was wounded in combat.

Brown holds an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Southern Maine Community College and is working on a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Husson University, according to the release.

In March, the department announced its plan to add another detective, but the proposal wasn’t necessarily a response to increased crime.

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Instead, a new detective would help sort out an increase in evidence.

Security cameras and other digital devices have increased the the department’s ability to solve crimes, Lt. John Kilbride previously said. Just a few years ago, the department solved roughly 11 percent of reported crimes. Today, the clearance rate is closer to 50 percent.

The new detective would also help with an increase in Internet crimes and improve victim relations, which Kilbride said is a priority for the department.

The department plans to promote one of its existing officers to the detective position, but the new detective won’t be named until Brown completes his training, Kilbride said.

The new position has been approved by the Town Council.

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