One of three New London police recruits set to graduate from the state police academy Thursday has resigned following his suspension by the department. 

An official from the Police Officer Standards and Training Council confirmed Tuesday that Justin Beers of Groton was no longer a recruit at the academy. Beers had nearly completed his six months of academy training. POST officials were informed of his removal from class in a letter dated March 11 by Acting New London Police Chief Peter Reichard. 

Reichard on Tuesday said New London police administration received a complaint regarding the conduct of the recruit. Reichard did not refer to Beers by name and did not elaborate on the alleged conduct. 

An investigation into a possible “violation of agency policy” and of “general orders” yielded a formal supervisor’s complaint against the recruit, Reichard said. The recruit was placed on suspension and not allowed to return to the academy following a pre-disciplinary hearing. 

Reichard declined to discuss details, calling it a personnel matter. “This recruit submitted a resignation dated (Monday),” Reichard said in his email. 

Beers, 23 years old when he was hired, was one of three new recruits hired by the city in October as part of a rebuilding effort at a department. The department had lost many officers to transfers during the past five years amid threats of layoffs. The department had 67 officers at the time the three recruits were hired, down by nearly one-third from five years ago. 

The City Council last year approved a mandate requiring at least 80 officers but have conceded it may take years to get to that point. 

“It’s always unfortunate when a recruit doesn’t graduate, and it’s particularly unfortunate when our staffing level is low,” Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio said. “I remain committed to increasing patrol strength and look forward to filling our spots in the next Academy class.” 

Advertising for new police recruits started in January, and Reichard said he had names of two new recruits he planned to present today to the city’s human resources director. 

There is a possibility they could be hired in time for a class that starts in April. He said recruitment would continue with the possibility of more recruits attending classes later this year. 

The department is also looking for certified officers who are already trained and do not need to attend the police academy. 

Justin Lawrie of Westbrook and Brendan Benway of Uncasville, who were hired with Beers, are scheduled to graduate Thursday with 49 other recruits from 22 different municipalities. The ceremony is at 6 p.m. at Central Connecticut State University. 

Graduation from the academy is followed by 12 to 16 weeks of field training in New London. 

Under terms of a new police contract, new hires need to work in New London for at least three years or pay back a portion of their training cost. It is unclear if Beers will have to pay back any of the fees incurred by the city. 

g.smith@theday.com 

Twitter: @SmittyDay