Mashantucket – Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police Officer Gary Coates Jr. has graduated from the New Haven Police Academy, the tribe announced.

Coates is the first Mashantucket officer to attend a Connecticut police academy after being hired by the tribe. In the past, Mashantucket officers have received their post-hiring certification training through the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Coates was among 15 officers who graduated Aug. 13 from the New Haven academy.

Prior to joining the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police Department in September 2012, Coates, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, in Aquinnah, Mass., served as a ranger and co-emergency management manager of his tribe's Natural Resources Department. His experience includes SWAT team, EMT and firefighter service, as well as training in terrorism response tactics, hazardous materials and FEMA Emergency Management.