The Norwich Police Department gained three new police officers and New London two following graduation Thursday of the 347th Session of the Connecticut Police Academy. 

All three of Norwich’s new officers are military veterans. James Watts, 34, Tyler Smith, 27, and James Mastroianni, 32, will begin an 11-week field training program before being assigned to a patrol shift. 

Watts served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2009. He was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq during his time in the Army and earned the rank of sergeant. A decorated war veteran, Watts obtained an associate degree in applied science from Alexandria Technical and Community College in Alexandria, Minn. He resides in East Hartford with his wife.

Smith served in the U.S. Air Force from 2006 to 2014. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant. Smith earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from American Intercontinental University. He lives in Niantic with his wife and son. 

Mastroianni served in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2014. Mastroianni was a military police officer who served on three deployments to Iraq. He also served as a U.S. Army recruiter for the Norwich and New Haven area. Mastroianni is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from POST University in Waterbury. He resides in Plainfield with his wife. 

In New London, acting Chief Peter Reichard announced the graduation of Justin Lawrie of Westbrook and Brendan Benway of Uncasville. 

Lawrie, the son of a longtime Clinton police officer, earned a master’s degree in international relations from Central Connecticut State University and held an internship with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

Brandon is a former school teacher who earned a master’s degree in elementary education. They are slated to begin field training on Monday.

New London lost one of their three hires. Reichard suspended Justin Beers of Groton from the academy following an investigation into a violation of agency policy and of general orders. No details of what led to the suspension were made available. Beers resigned on Monday.