Michael Chavez is an honors graduate of Unity College with a Bachelor of Science degree from Unity College in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Conservation Law Enforcement; Michael was the recipient of the President’s Award. After graduation, Michael was hired at the Kennebunkport Police Department where he spent the summer as a Reserve Police Officer. In 1997, Michael enlisted in the 45th Maine State Police Training Troop in Waterville. Upon his graduation, Michael was assigned to uniformed patrol within Androscoggin, Oxford, and Cumberland Counties. Michael spent fifteen years in uniform and had the distinction of serving as a Field Training Officer and Cadre for the 96th Municipal County Basic Police School, which was the last municipal academy and the very first held at the new Vassalboro facility. Michael also served on the cadre staff for the Law Enforcement Explorer Academy, which he eventually assumed leadership of. As a certified instructor and EMT-B, he taught First Responder coursework at the MCJA. In 2000, Michael joined the State Police Underwater Recovery Team and eventually became Assistant Commander of the Team in 2014. Michael eventually received his instructor ratings in public safety and recreational diving and helped create curriculum for standardized training for New England’s state police dive teams. During his tenure on the road, Michael was a two-time recipient of the Colonel’s Award.
In 2012, Michael was promoted to Detective in the State Police Major Crimes Unit and helped investigate countless death scenes and other complex crimes. Michael became a faculty instructor at the prestigious Colby College Forensic Science Seminar and currently serves as a panel member for the Maternal-Fetal-Infant-Mortality Review Committee. Michael trained as a Forensic Interviewer of Children and assists as a back-up interviewer at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Andro/Franklin/Oxford Counties.
In 2022, Michael was promoted to Detective Corporal and focuses his efforts on open, unsolved cases. Michael is an Eagle Scout and recipient of Boy Scout’s top state honor, the Silver Beaver Award. He lives in the Turner area with his family and serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster, assistant soccer coach and baseball coach for his son and attends Moss Brook Church of South Paris. Any free time is used to teach scuba lessons and to make plans for the next adventure.