AUGUSTA — Matthew Talbot, an 18-year veteran with the Maine Marine Patrol has been promoted to the newly created rank of captain.

“This is a position that will be responsible for oversight and coordination of a broad array of critically important Marine Patrol functions,” said Colonel Jay Carroll. “Captain Talbot’s experience, personal initiative, and proven track record of success as a Marine Patrol Officer and leader make him an excellent choice for this new position.”

In the new role, Captain Talbot will be responsible for planning, directing, overseeing, and evaluating all activities within Marine Patrol’s Special Services Division which includes the Underwater Recovery Team, the Maritime Security Team, the Firearms Team, and the Whale Disentanglement Team.

Captain Talbot will also oversee and manage technology including cell phones, computers, radios, navigation software, and database.

He will supervise Marine Patrol’s Central Fleet service which maintains all Marine Patrol vehicles and will oversee maintenance and operations of Marine Patrol’s aircraft and watercraft fleet.

Captain Talbot joined the Marine Patrol in 2001 after earning associate degrees from Maine Maritime Academy in Small Vessel Operations and from Southern Maine Technical College in Law Enforcement. After completing the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s Basic Law Enforcement Training Program, he spent 12 years serving as a patrol officer in the Rockland-Searsport patrol.

In 2007, he received a promotion to Boat Specialist, operating the Patrol Vessel Guardian III. In 2013, Talbot was promoted to sergeant of what is now Section Three which stretches from Waldoboro to Belfast, where he has served since.

Captain Talbot has received numerous honors during his career including the 2006 North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association Officer of the Year award, the 2010 and 2016 Maine Marine Patrol Commendation award, the 2013 Maine Lobstermen’s Association Officer of the Year award, the 2016 Maine Marine Patrol Colonel’s Supervisor award, and the 2017 US Coast Guard Certificate of Valor.

During his career, Captain Talbot has continued to seek out new challenges and opportunities to support and advance the Maine Marine Patrol. In 2016, he coordinated efforts to secure a prestigious national accreditation for emergency response readiness. He also served as an original member and co-lead of the Maritime Security Team and has supported the Underwater Recovery Team, operating the Side-Scan Sonar during search efforts.

Captain Talbot has also been responsible for investigating and developing many marine resource violation cases including trap molesting, urchin and elver violations, several large illegal lobster cases, and a herring case involving the largest seizure of herring in Bureau history.