A member of the United States Air Force continued a family tradition by becoming the newest officer of the Monday morning.
Police Chief Michael Custer first noticed when he was taking his criminal justice course at Middlesex Community College in Middletown.
"He stood out from his class," he said during a ceremony for Breen at , which was attended by the town staff, the mayor and fellow officers. "I thought he would be a great addition to the department."
Before the ceremony Monday morning, Breen, 22, had served near the city of Kabul. He has received the rank of senior airman in the United States Air Force.
Custer said the department was interested in hiring Breen about a year ago, but he notified them that he was going on deployment.
"We promised him that we would hold this position for him," he said.
Breen, whose father was a North Branford police officer for 25 years, was born and raised in Durham. He graduated from in 2008.
Breen is one course away from graduating Middlesex Community College as a criminal justice major, Custer said. However, graduation will have to wait until after his police training is complete.
"He promised me that he will take that course when he gets out," he said.
On July 16, Breen will start the municipal police academy for 26 weeks and then, 14 weeks of field training with the Rocky Hill Police Department.
"He has got a lot of schooling ahead, but it will be all worth it when it is done," Custer said. "We are proud to have him."
Breen said he is "excited" to be apart of the Rocky Hill Police Department and "looks forward" to working with his fellow officers and the residents in town for the betterment of the community.
"It seems like a great town," said Breen, who would someday like to be the or a member of SWAT.
There are currently 33 officers in the police department, which is two short of the number allotted for the department. Custer said the department is expected to fill the positions in the near future, which will . The department is conducting background checks on two possible candidates.
