Published on 11/29/2007 TheDay.com

Groton — The town police department announced a host of recent promotions and new hires.

In a ceremony held on Oct. 11, Chief Kelly Fogg promoted Ben Carpenter from patrol sergeant to lieutenant.

The 24-year veteran of the department holds a general studies associate's degree from Three Rivers Community College. He was an original member of the department's canine team and has earned two canine commendations. He also has served in a variety of supervisory, training and patrol assignments.

Carpenter is a graduate of the Rhode Island Crime Laboratory, Bureau of Criminal Identification School. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in public safety administration through Charter Oak State College.

Don Rankin, an officer with the department since 2000, was promoted to detective. Rankin is a former traffic enforcement officer, bike patrol officer and field-training officer. He has received four awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and two departmental narcotics awards.

Rankin holds an associate's degree in marketing from Middlesex Community College and is working toward a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Heather Reams, a six-year veteran, became the department's first female detective. Besides being a new mother, currently out on maternity leave, Reams, who graduated from Westerly High School, graduated this year from Mitchell College with high honors and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

She has served the department in field training, traffic enforcement, and bike, marine and canine patrols.

The department also welcomed four new officers to its ranks. Lauren Ann Fippinger grew up in Burlington, Vt. She has attended the University of Southern Maine and Southern Connecticut State University, where she was Little East tennis champion. She attends Mitchell College in pursuit of a degree in criminal justice.

Scott Bousquet graduated from St. Bernard School, where he played football and baseball. His football skills earned him a scholarship to Sacred Heart University. Bousquet received a bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University in history and social sciences.

Anthony LaFleur is a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, attached to an anti-terrorism battalion. He has earned the Marine and Armed Forces reserve medals, Global War on Terrorism medal and the National Defense medal.

LaFleur comes to the department having last worked as a commercial diver in underwater construction.

The town's new assistant animal control officer is Melissa Bouffard, formerly the assistant ACO for the town of Clinton, a position she held for six years.

Bouffard, a member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, is a licensed emergency medical technician. She is also a state certified in firefighting and vehicle rescue.