Franklin dispatcher joins Sanbornton PD

New police officer Shane Morton, 23, is sworn in Wednesday by Sanbornton Police Chief Stephen Hankard. Looking on are selectmen Katy North and John Olmstead. (David Carkhuff/Laconia Daily Sun)

By DAVID CARKHUFF, LACONIA DAILY SUN

SANBORNTON — Shane Morton will shift roles from taking 911 calls to answering them.

The town's newest police officer, Morton, 23, was sworn in Wednesday by Sanbornton Police Chief Stephen Hankard.

"We put him through a rigorous testing process. The oral boards, the background, and he definitely came out on top by far. We're really excited to have him," Hankard said.

Morton worked as a dispatcher in Franklin, taking emergency calls for the Police Department.

"Dispatching wasn't what I wanted to do as a career, so that's why I moved up here," Morton said.

Morton has a three-year contract in Sanbornton. He will fulfill a 16-week academy training and a 16-week on-the-job training where he will accompany an officer on calls.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Morton vacationed at a summer place in Franklin. After graduating college in June 2016, he took the position of dispatcher in September.

Dennis Rector, the K-9 handler in Franklin, said Morton interned with him and made a good impression.

"He interned with me a few summers ago over in Franklin, and I took a liking to him. He's just a good kid, a hard worker," Rector said.

Officer Matt Terry departed the department, creating the vacancy.

Morton joins fellow officers Lt. Kevin McIntosh, Sgt. Justin Howe, Officer Andrew Phillips, Officer James DeCormier, Officer Tracy Trammell, Officer Gary Boisvert, Officer Tom Reneau, Officer Merek Weisensee and Administrative Assistant Carolyn DiNitto.