Department of Public Safety announces SurviVermont session in Chittenden County

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Department of Public Safety announces SurviVermont session in Chittenden County

 

COLCHESTER, Vermont (Monday, Aug. 15, 2022) — The Vermont Department of Public Safety will host a SurviVermont session this week in Chittenden County.

 

The 90-minute session is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at Colchester High School, 131 Laker Lane. There are 50 seats available, and pre-registration is required. Sign-ups are available online on a first-come, first-served basis by visiting this direct link to the sign-up form. An overview of the full SurviVermont initiative, with details and registration links for future sessions, is available on the Vermont Emergency Management website: https://bit.ly/SurviVermont.

 

Supported by a grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, SurviVermont combines three easy-to-remember concepts from established federal public safety programs: See Something, Say Something; Run, Hide and Fight; and Stop the Bleed.

 

 

***Update No. 1, 11:10 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022***

Additional SurviVermont sessions have been added throughout Vermont.

 

Links to registration for specific sessions can be found at: https://vem.vermont.gov/news/new-trainings-related-active-shooter-and-violent-threat-situations

 

August 1 - Royalton: 6-7:30 p.m., Vermont State Police Royalton Barracks. Maximum registration reached - sign up has closed.  Only those with registration confirmations may attend.

 

August 3 - Arlington: 6-7:30 p.m., Arlington Memorial High School, 529 E. Arlington Rd., Arlington.

 

August 8 - St. Albans: 6-7:30 p.m., Vermont State Police St. Albans Barracks, 140 Fisher Pond Rd., St Albans City.

 

August 10 - Rutland:  6-7:30 p.m., Vermont State Police Rutland Barracks, 124 State Place, Rutland.

 

August 15 - Derby: 6-7:30 p.m., Vermont State Police Derby Barracks, 35 Crawford Rd., Derby.

 

August 22 - New Haven: 6-7:30 p.m., Vermont State Police New Haven Barracks, 2490 Ethan Allen Highway, New Haven.

 

August 24 - Westminster: 6-7:30 p.m., Vermont State Police Westminster Barracks, 1330 Westminster Heights Rd., Westminster.

 

August 29 - Berlin: 6-7:30 p.m., Berlin National Guard Armory, 363 Fisher Rd., Berlin.

 

August 30 - St. Johnsbury: 6-7:30 p.m., Good Shephard Catholic School, 121 Maple St., St. Johnsbury.

 

*Chittenden County – TBA*

 

 

***Initial news release, 10 a.m. Thursday, July 14, 2022***

Vermont’s Department of Public Safety announces a new public safety initiative, called SURVIVERMONT. This program is a community caretaking initiative created to educate and empower Vermonters with actions they can take to protect themselves and family members if they are confronted with an active shooter or violent threat situation.

 

Supported by a grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, SURVIVERMONT combines three easy-to-remember concepts from established federal public safety programs: See Something, Say Something; Run, Hide and Fight; and Stop the Bleed.

 

This program is a partnership between Vermont Emergency Management and first responder communities throughout the state.

 

The first two dates and times for this community caretaking initiative are:

• Monday, Aug. 1: 6-7:30 p.m., Vermont State Police Royalton Barracks, 2011 Vermont Route 107 in Bethel. 25 seats available. Click here to sign up online.
• Wednesday, Aug. 3: 6-7:30 p.m., Arlington Memorial High School, 529 E. Arlington Rd. in Arlington. 100 seats available. Click here to sign up online.

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT

To request an interview regarding this new public safety initiative, email Adam Silverman, the Vermont State Police public information officer, at adam.silverman@vermont.gov.

 

- 30 -

 

Vermont State Police celebrates 75th anniversary

 

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

Vermont State Police celebrates 75^th anniversary

Agency created July 1, 1947, after major case galvanized state

 

WATERBURY, Vermont (Wednesday, June 29, 2022) — The Vermont State Police on Friday, July 1, will mark the 75^th anniversary of the agency’s creation, a watershed moment that arose from tragedy and laid the groundwork for a proud legacy of dedicated service across generations.

 

State leaders established the Vermont State Police on July 1, 1947, in the aftermath of the disappearance of Paula Jean Welden, an 18-year-old Bennington College student who vanished the year before. When local officials were unsuccessful in pursuing the case, they called in state police investigators from Connecticut and New York — because Vermont had no similar agency. The case, which remains unsolved, rallied Vermonters and their political leadership to finally launch the Vermont State Police after many years of hesitation and debate.

 

“Three quarters of a century removed from those formative days, the Vermont State Police stands as a leader in public safety and law enforcement, working every day to serve all the people of the Green Mountain State: residents and visitors, survivors of crime, family members, stranded motorists, lost hikers — all who reach out for our assistance,” the director of the state police, Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, wrote in a letter to the agency’s current sworn and civilian members.

 

“Our organization and our people stand on the shoulders of those who served before us and built the Vermont State Police into the premier organization it is today,” Birmingham continued. “During the past 75 years, VSP has expanded and evolved into one of the country’s most professional, progressive, and well-respected police agencies.”

 

In 1947, Vermont turned to former U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Merritt Edson as the first commissioner of the newly formed Department of Public Safety, the parent agency of the Vermont State Police. His military background led him to fashion a rank structure and model the state police’s uniforms after those of the Marines. On Day 1, the state police employed 55 troopers and seven civilians.

 

Today, the Vermont State Police employs about 290 sworn troopers and 90 civilians, who operate out of headquarters in Waterbury and 10 field stations from just south of the Canadian border to just north of the Massachusetts state line. VSP has an authorized strength of 333 troopers and currently is hiring.

 

“It is my honor to say thank you, to each and every member of the state police, sworn and civilian, for your service to Vermont,” wrote Gov. Philip B. Scott in a letter to VSP’s membership. “You come to work every day, never knowing what you might face, but always prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of others. I appreciate your willingness to place service above self with a commitment to your core values of courage, honor and integrity.”

 

The Vermont State Police is marking the momentous occasion by unveiling commemorative license plates for each cruiser and badges for state troopers. These items will be displayed throughout the 75^th anniversary year during 2022-23.

 

In his letter, Col. Birmingham wrote that VSP’s anniversary celebration arrives at the end of the “unprecedented and transformative past several years, when a global pandemic changed everything, and the country engaged in a difficult but much-needed conversation about what policing should be. I assure you, the Vermont State Police will be better and stronger for it.”

 

He added: “One thing has remained constant over these 75 years: Your work ethic is second to none, and you conduct yourselves with dignity, honor, and a sense of service.”

 

 

Media resources

• A gallery of historic photos of the Vermont State Police is available at this link.
• A comprehensive history of VSP is accessible from the independent Vermont State Police Archive Center and Museum.
• Members of the media seeking interviews about the Vermont State Police’s 75^th anniversary should email the public information officer, Adam Silverman, at adam.silverman@vermont.gov.

 

 

- 30 -

 

 

Vermont Department of Public Safety announces changes to address staffing levels at Public Safety Answering Points

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

 

Vermont Department of Public Safety announces changes to address staffing levels at Public Safety Answering Points

 

WATERBURY, Vermont (Wednesday, June 8, 2022) — The Vermont Department of Public Safety is working with police agencies throughout the state to address staffing needs at the two state- operated dispatch centers. These centers serve more than 100 public safety agencies as 911 Public Safety Answering Points.

 

The two centers, in Westminster and Williston, currently work 24/7/365 to answer emergency and non-emergency calls for 162 police, fire and EMS agencies statewide — from the Vermont State Police to local departments. Additionally, the centers serve as administrative switchboards for many agencies. At both locations, but especially pronounced in Westminster, there is a shortage of trained staff available to handle the current volume of calls, said Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling. The situation is expected to become more acute in the coming months, as call volume typically increases during the summer, and additional staff departures are expected.

 

“All sectors of the economy are being affected by recruitment, staffing and retention challenges, and public safety agencies — among the most important aspects of government service — are experiencing this challenge in critical ways,” Commissioner Schirling said. “As a result, we are taking necessary steps to preserve the core functions of our communications centers. We’re grateful to chiefs and other public safety leaders throughout Vermont for stepping up and helping us implement these important adjustments.”

 

That core function, Commissioner Schirling said, is to answer emergency calls for service, and to dispatch police, fire and EMS resources as needed. To ensure the capacity of the dispatch centers to handle this primary function, the Department of Public Safety today announced the following changes that will be implemented during the next two weeks:

 

• Reduce administrative call volume: In addition to answering emergency calls, PSAP staff currently receive non-emergency calls on administrative phone lines on behalf of many agencies. DPS has asked local departments to assist the communication centers by no longer directing their administrative phone lines to ring at the center and instead make arrangements to field the calls themselves.

 

• Hand off ongoing communications needs to responding fire and EMS agencies: For calls requiring a response from fire and EMS, once an emergency call-taker has dispatched an initial unit, further communications responsibility will be handed off to the local agency. The communication center will continue to be involved if mutual aid is requested, and additional agencies or resources are needed. This operating method has been used historically in DPS communication centers.

 

• Ask police agencies to rely on the computed-aided dispatch system for routine queries: The Valcour computer-aided-dispatch system, used by all but three police departments throughout Vermont, allows officers to enter routine queries such as records checks. DPS is asking police departments to rely on this system rather than asking a dispatcher to make these queries on the officer’s behalf. The department invested in this technology late last year to provide of just this kind of remote connectivity.

 

The public can expect that calls for first responders to come to a scene will be unaffected, but the way in which business calls are routed to local responders served by the state-run centers might be altered in the days to come — including heavier reliance on automated phone attendants for business calls.

 

Recruiting, hiring and training future PSAP staff members is a process that takes several months to ensure new dispatchers have a thorough familiarity with their systems and responsibilities.

 

“Vermonters and those interested in moving to Vermont have an unique opportunity to make an immediate, positive impact on their community: They can apply to be dispatchers,” Commissioner Schirling said. “You can help solve this challenge by coming to work in service to Vermont and your local community at one of our centers.”

 

The current starting annual salary for a full-time dispatcher with no prior training and experience is about $45,700. The state also offers generous retirement, healthcare benefits and overtime opportunities. More information on the position’s responsibilities and benefits is available on the State of Vermont Careers website at this link, or by searching “PSAP” from the main Careers website.

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

For interview requests, please contact VSP Public Information Officer Adam Silverman by email at adam.silverman@vermont.gov.

 

 

- 30 -

 

Source of DNA in Brianna Maitland investigation identified

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

Source of DNA in Brianna Maitland investigation identified

 

WATERBURY, Vermont (Friday, March 18, 2022) — Advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy have helped the Vermont State Police identify the source of DNA found as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Brianna Maitland. No suspect in the case has been identified, but as the 18^th anniversary of her disappearance arrives, the case remains an open and active investigation.

 

Brianna, 17, was last seen on the evening of March 19, 2004. She clocked out from the Black Lantern Inn where she worked as a dishwasher and was headed to a friend's house where she was living at the time. She never made it. The next day, her 1985 Oldsmobile 88 was located backed into an abandoned building known as the "Old Dutchburn Barn" about a mile from the restaurant.

 

Approximately one week after Brianna was last seen, the Vermont State Police returned to the scene to conduct a K-9 search. This search resulted in the collection of an item of interest from the ground in the vicinity of where Maitland's car was found. Based on the location of the item, and not knowing how long it had been there, it was unclear if it was related to Maitland's disappearance. A DNA profile obtained from this item was entered into CODIS — the FBI's DNA database — and also directly compared to 11 persons of interest; no match was identified. In fall 2020, the Vermont State Police sent DNA evidence from the case to Othram Inc., a Texas-based forensic sequencing laboratory, and Othram identified possible matches.

 

Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a DNA profile and genealogical research to develop investigative leads so the Vermont State Police could continue their work. After months of follow-up investigation, police were able to locate, interview, and obtain DNA samples from possible donors. These DNA samples were sent to the Vermont Forensic Laboratory for comparison testing. The lab confirmed that DNA from one of the individuals matched the DNA on the item found on the ground near Brianna's vehicle.

 

"It's important to note that this doesn't mean we have identified a suspect," said VSP Detective Sgt. Angela Baker, the case's lead investigator. "We are continuing our active efforts to investigate every lead associated with this case, and we constantly look for new technological advances to aid in our investigation. The use of genetic genealogy to identify the DNA found 18 years ago is just one example of how detectives continue to track down every potential lead in this case."

 

Anyone with tips or other information that might in any way be relevant to the investigation should contact Detective Baker at angela.baker@vermont.gov, or submit an anonymous tip online (https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit).

 

To learn more about the Brianna Maitland investigation, visit the case page on the Vermont State Police website, or visit the fundraising page set up by Othram. This important work was made possible through the generous support of The Murder Squad podcast and other individual donors.

 

The direct links are as follows:

• VSP case page: https://vsp.vermont.gov/unsolved/missing/a/maitland
• Fundraising campaign: https://dnasolves.com/articles/brianna_maitland/ 

 

Because of the ongoing nature of the investigation, the state police is unable to provide further details about these most recent developments in the case.

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Members of the media requesting interviews with investigators regarding the Brianna Maitland case should contact Adam Silverman, the state police public information officer, at adam.silverman@vermont.gov.

 

- 30 -

 

 

VSP issues statement on messages sent to elections officials

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

Vermont State Police issues statement on messages sent to elections officials

 

WATERBURY, Vermont (Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021) — Over the past year, elections officials in numerous states, including Vermont, have received disturbing emails, phone calls and voicemail messages regarding the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office received numerous voicemails that were offensive, profane, and upsetting. The office informed the Vermont State Police and the FBI of these messages. Both agencies conducted independent reviews. The state police obtained an independent legal analysis of the content of the messages from prosecutors in Washington County.

 

After review, the state’s attorney determined that the messages did not rise to the level of criminal conduct and are in fact protected speech. His legal conclusions are available at this link.

 

Recent media coverage has suggested that the phone number in question was “untraceable.” However, that quote was taken out of context from an internal email, which also stated that numerous court-ordered search warrants would be required to determine subscriber information, among other things. Because search warrants require probable cause for an underlying crime, and because there is no evidence of criminal conduct at this point, the state police is unable to proceed with any court process as part of the investigation.

 

“The safety and security of state employees and public servants is a priority for the Vermont State Police and my office. This matter was investigated with the utmost seriousness, as was appropriate given the nature of these repugnant messages,” Washington County State’s Attorney Rory Thibault said. “Although the communications are offensive and alarming, I concluded that they failed to rise to criminal conduct under current Vermont law. Fortunately, the rule of law is alive and well in Vermont, much due to the dedication of our election officials and public servants.”

 

The Vermont State Police agrees that elections officials are dedicated, hardworking public servants who are the backbones of our democracy. Like all of us, they deserve to go to work and do their jobs without fear and intimidation. That said, the police should not and cannot make up or willfully misconstrue the law in order to affect a desired outcome.

 

The Vermont State Police takes threats to all government officials seriously and will thoroughly investigate and forward for review any threats to the appropriate prosecutorial authority.

 

- 30 -

 

State Police Advisory Commission releases synopsis of misconduct investigations involving VSP troopers

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

STATE POLICE ADVISORY COMMISSION

 

 

State Police Advisory Commission releases synopsis of misconduct investigations involving Vermont State Police troopers

 

WATERBURY, Vermont (Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021) — The Vermont Department of Public Safety and the State Police Advisory Commission today are releasing the second semiannual detailed summary of internal investigations involving members of the Vermont State Police.

 

The release of these detailed synopses began in January 2021 and is designed to provide greater transparency, public awareness and oversight to the activities of the Vermont State Police, while balancing rules regarding internal investigations and the need to have internal investigations completed before public dissemination.

 

A report, available at this link, contains synopses of the 11 matters that came before SPAC from July 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020.

 

The report shows that of the 11 cases, eight came to the attention of supervisors due to internal reporting by members of the state police, while three matters arose through concerns raised by community members.

 

Three of the complaints were determined to have represented no violation of VSP policy by the member in question. The other eight complaints either were substantiated, or the trooper involved resigned before the internal investigation concluded. The complaints in this category included instances related to accidental firearms discharge; off-duty alcohol consumption; violations of COVID-19 safety protocols; mistreatment of other troopers; discourteousness with the public; inaccuracies in a traffic ticket; and an instance of domestic assault. Sanctions for the substantiated violations ranged from letters of reprimand to termination of employment.

 

Synopses in the report do not include identifying information about the troopers involved, which is confidential as a matter of law.

 

The State Police Advisory Commission was created by statute in 1979 and is comprised of seven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Vermont Senate.  Among the duties of SPAC is to provide civilian oversight of the Vermont State Police and to advise and counsel the Commissioner of Public Safety in his/her overall responsibilities for the management, supervision and control of the Vermont State Police. In addition, SPAC is statutorily empowered to provide advice and counsel to the Commissioner of Public Safety to ensure appropriate action is taken with respect to allegations of misconduct by Vermont State Police officers. To assist the Commissioner of Public Safety and SPAC, Vermont law also requires DPS to maintain an Office of Internal Investigations (IA), whose sole responsibility is to investigate allegations of misconduct by members of the Vermont State Police. The IA Office, staffed with a Vermont State Police commander, reports directly to the Commissioner.

 

The current SPAC members are highly respected professionals and represent a cross-section of Vermont. They are: Chairwoman Nancy Sheahan; Vice Chairman Glenn Boyde; and members Allison Crowley, John Filipek, Shirley Jefferson, and Mary Alice McKenzie.

 

The Department of Public Safety IA Office receives allegations of misconduct or improper conduct by a Vermont state trooper in two ways. First, the public may lodge a complaint regarding a state trooper’s conduct by telephone, through the Vermont State Police website, via email, or in person. These allegations are referred to as “citizen complaints.” In addition, each VSP member is obligated to promptly report any evidence or allegation of misconduct or improper conduct involving a state trooper. These reports are referred to as “employee complaints.” 

 

Not all complaints rise to the level of requiring a formal internal affairs investigation. These are typically handled by the station or unit commander. For instance, a complaint about a trooper speeding on the highway normally would be handled by the station or unit commander. More serious allegations, as determined by the Commissioner, are opened as formal internal affairs investigations. In the case of an allegation of misconduct that consists of criminal conduct, the internal investigation typically is stayed pending the conclusion of a criminal investigation and/or prosecution by appropriate prosecutorial authorities. Once an internal affairs investigation is complete, the Commissioner determines what disciplinary action, if any, is appropriate and should be imposed. The entire case is then reviewed by the State Police Advisory Commission to ensure appropriate action has been taken.

 

Vermont law requires that all internal investigations “shall be confidential” except in limited circumstances. Accordingly, specific details beyond the synopses regarding these 2020 investigations cannot be made public.

 

SPAC meetings generally are held bi-monthly and are open to the public (except when SPAC is in executive session). Meeting dates can be found on the DPS website by clicking the SPAC link under “Committees and Boards.”

 

 

- 30 -

 

Vermont State Police pledges to advance women in policing

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

 

Vermont State Police pledges to advance women in policing

National 30x30 Pledge aims to bring more women into policing to improve public safety, community outcomes, and trust in law enforcement

 

WATERBURY, Vt. (Thursday, March 25, 2021) — The Vermont State Police today becomes the first statewide law-enforcement agency in the country to sign on to the 30x30 Pledge — a series of low- and no-cost actions that police agencies can take to improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement.

 

The actions will help policing agencies assess the current state of a department regarding gender equity; identify factors that may be driving any disparities; and develop and implement strategies and solutions to eliminate barriers and advance women in policing. These actions address recruitment, assessment, hiring, retention, promotion and agency culture.

 

The pledge is the foundational effort of the 30x30 Initiative — a coalition of police leaders, researchers and professional organizations coming together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States. The 30x30 Initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

                                                                                                                                             

The goal of the 30x30 Initiative is to reach 30 percent of women in police recruit classes by 2030, and to ensure that policing agencies truly are representative of the jurisdiction the agency serves. While 30x30 is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender. 

“The Vermont State Police is actively working toward improving the representation and experiences of women officers in our department,” said Capt. Julie Scribner, VSP’s co-director of fair & impartial policing and community affairs. “To better reflect the communities we serve, we know that we need to continue making strides toward hiring and retaining a diverse membership. We are honored to be among the first in the nation to make this critical commitment, and we look forward to working with and learning from agencies in Vermont and across the country that share our priority.”

 

More than 35 agencies — from major metro departments including the New York City Police Department, to mid-sized, rural, university and state policing agencies — have signed the 30x30 Pledge. The pledge is based on social science research that greater representation of women on police forces leads to better policing outcomes for communities.

 

Nationally, women make up only 12% of sworn officers — and about half that for state law-enforcement agencies. Women comprise about 3% of police leadership in the U.S. For the Vermont State Police, about 13% of troopers and 15% of leadership are represented by women. This underrepresentation of women in policing has significant public safety implications.

 

“We are grateful to the Vermont State Police for being one of the first in the nation to commit to being a part of this growing movement,” said Maureen McGough, co-founder of the 30x30 Initiative, chief of staff of the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law, and former policing expert at the U.S. Department of Justice. “We believe strongly that advancing women in policing is critical to improving public safety outcomes. We look forward to having more agencies follow VSP’s lead by signing the pledge and improving the representation and experiences of women in policing.”

 

For more information, visit www.30x30initiative.org.

 

Media contact:

Capt. Julie Scribner, co-director of fair & impartial policing and community affairs, is available for interviews to discuss this initiative. Please send requests by email to Public Information Officer Adam Silverman at adam.silverman@vermont.gov.

 

- 30 -

 

Department of Public Safety, anti-domestic-violence groups receive $1M grant to support advocacy efforts

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

Department of Public Safety, anti-domestic-violence groups receive $1M grant to support advocacy efforts

 

WATERBURY, Vt. (Monday, March 1, 2021) — A nearly $1 million federal grant awarded to the Vermont Department of Public Safety will launch an innovative partnership with community advocacy organizations and a national research group aimed at reducing domestic violence in Vermont.

 

Grant funds will be divided among the Vermont State Police, the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, a national nonprofit that works in all 50 states to increase public safety and strengthen communities. The three organizations have been recognized as innovative leaders in taking on domestic violence, and the three-year grant allows their critical work to expand even further.

 

“This grant offers us the opportunity to provide a modern response to people who cause harm in their relationships, through collaboration across law enforcement and community-based groups such as the Vermont Network that work with survivors,” said state police Maj. Ingrid Jonas, commander of the Support Services Division and a leader of the agency’s efforts to reduce domestic violence statewide.

 

The goals of the grant-funded initiative: Develop more effective ways to intervene with people who cause harm in their relationships; expand the focus of reducing domestic violence to be more inclusive of historically marginalized communities; and harness research to target the effort most effectively at centering the safety of survivors.

 

“We know we have a domestic violence problem here in Vermont,” said Karen Tronsgard-Scott, executive director of the Vermont Network. “We have an outstanding system of organizations that provide services to survivors of domestic violence, and we have a small cadre of organizations that provide domestic violence accountability programming, but we need to do more in order to stem the tide of domestic violence in the state.”

 

In Vermont each year, an average of 50% of all homicides are the result of interpersonal or domestic violence. In 2019, the Vermont Network reports that its 16 member organizations answered 18,921 hotline calls and helped 8,760 individuals, predominantly with issues of domestic violence and sexual assault.

 

Conversations in Vermont and across the country about policing reform make the timing particularly apt for this local collaboration, Network Executive Director Tronsgard-Scott said. “I’m excited to do this work with the Vermont State Police,” she said. “This grant really will help us build the kinds of relationships we need to lead to positive outcomes.”

 

Maj. Jonas agreed, saying, “We bring different strengths and backgrounds to this partnership. The Vermont State Police has worked for years to improve its response to domestic violence, including coordinating with community groups and working to roll out a threat assessment for use throughout Vermont. This new initiative allows us to do even more in service of survivors of domestic violence.”

 

The grant will enable the Vermont Network to hire a coordinator to oversee the project; support the creation of a working group to manage the initiative; cover the costs of CSG Justice Center research; and provide funding to cover a domestic violence response coordinator within the Vermont State Police.

 

The working group will collaborate with the CSG Justice Center to gather and process data, conduct interviews, engage stakeholders and take additional steps as needed to provide a deep examination of Vermont’s systems for domestic violence intervention and prevention. The group then will make recommendations on structural and systemic reforms, and work with policymakers to implement those reforms.

 

One goal is to look beyond heterosexual relationships and provide more support for people in same-sex relationships, BIPOC individuals, immigrants, refugees, and the state’s farmworker community, among others.

 

The project also will develop more effective and timely intervention strategies with people who cause harm in their relationships, including restorative justice and addressing abusers who also experience substance-use disorder.

 

“This is going to make a big difference in our state for survivors,” Executive Director Tronsgard-Scott said. “It’s going to catalyze a conversation that’s long overdue.”

 

The Department of Public Safety and the Vermont State Police are the formal recipients of the grant, which was sought in spring 2020 and awarded by the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance late last year. The funding breakdown includes $649,273 for the CSG Justice Center, which will dedicate a team to the Vermont project; $252,000 for the Vermont Network; and $29,127 for the Vermont State Police. The three-year grant could be extended for an additional two years if necessary.

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Members of the Vermont State Police and the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence are available to speak to the media regarding the grant award. Interview requests may be made to the VSP public information officer, Adam Silverman, by email at adam.silverman@vermont.gov.

 

- 30 -

 

State Police Advisory Commission provides synopsis of misconduct investigations involving VSP troopers

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

STATE POLICE ADVISORY COMMISSION

 

 

State Police Advisory Commission provides synopsis of misconduct investigations involving Vermont State Police troopers

 

WATERBURY, Vermont (Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021) — Michael Schirling, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, and Nancy Sheahan, chairwoman of the State Police Advisory Commission, issued the following joint statement Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, regarding the work of SPAC and the Internal Affairs Office within the Department of Public Safety during the first half of 2020. 

 

DPS in the past has provided an overview of SPAC’s work, but today’s public release of information represents the first time the department has provided detail about individual cases.

 

“In an effort to further increase transparency in operations, beginning in January 2021 and continuing twice annually in January and July, the Department of Public Safety and Vermont State Police, with the support of the independent State Police Advisory Commission, will begin releasing synopses of all internal investigations,” Commissioner Schirling said. “These synopses will be compiled in six month increments to balance timeliness with the need to have complete investigations and resolutions prior to release.”

 

The attached report, which is available to view at this link, contains synopses of the 10 matters that came before SPAC from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2020.

 

The report shows that of the 10 cases, six came to the attention of supervisors due to internal reporting by members of the state police, and four arose through complaints by community members.

 

Four of the complaints were determined to have represented no violation by the VSP member in question, while the other six complaints were substantiated. The substantiated complaints included instances related to accidental firearms discharge; a motor vehicle crash; off-duty alcohol consumption; violations of COVID-19 safety protocols; and mistreatment of other troopers. Sanctions for these violations ranged from letters of reprimand to loss of annual leave time and suspensions without pay.

 

Synopses in the report do not include identifying information about the troopers involved, which is confidential as a matter of law.

 

The State Police Advisory Commission was created by statute in 1979 and is comprised of seven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Vermont Senate.  Among the duties of SPAC is to provide civilian oversight of the Vermont State Police and to advise and counsel the Commissioner of Public Safety in his/her overall responsibilities for the management, supervision and control of the Vermont State Police. In addition, SPAC is statutorily empowered to provide advice and counsel to the Commissioner of Public Safety to ensure appropriate action is taken with respect to allegations of misconduct by Vermont State Police officers. To assist the Commissioner of Public Safety and SPAC, Vermont law also requires DPS to maintain an Office of Internal Investigations (IA), whose sole responsibility is to investigate allegations of misconduct by members of the Vermont State Police. The IA Office, staffed with a Vermont State Police commander, reports directly to the commissioner.

 

The current SPAC members are each highly respected professionals and represent a cross-section of Vermont. They are: 

 

Nancy Sheahan (chairwoman) 

Glenn Boyde (vice chairman)

Allison Crowley DeMag

John Filipek

Shirley Jefferson

Mary Alice McKenzie

Patti Pallito

 

The Department of Public Safety IA Office receives allegations of misconduct or improper conduct by a Vermont state trooper in two ways. First, the public may lodge a complaint regarding a state trooper’s conduct by telephone, through the Vermont State Police website, via email, or in person. These allegations are referred to as “citizen complaints.” In addition, each VSP member is obligated to promptly report any evidence or allegation of misconduct or improper conduct involving a state trooper. These reports are referred to as “employee complaints.” 

 

Not all complaints rise to the level of requiring a formal internal affairs investigation. These are typically handled by the station or unit commander. For instance, a complaint about a trooper who was speeding on the highway normally would be handled by the station or unit commander. More serious allegations, as determined by the commissioner, are opened as formal internal affairs investigations. In the case of an allegation of misconduct that consists of criminal conduct, the internal investigation typically is stayed pending the conclusion of a criminal investigation and/or prosecution by appropriate prosecutorial authorities. Once an internal affairs investigation is complete, the commissioner determines what disciplinary action, if any, is appropriate and should be imposed. The entire case is then reviewed by the State Police Advisory Commission to ensure appropriate action has been taken.

 

Vermont law requires that all internal investigations “shall be confidential” except in limited circumstances. Accordingly, specific details beyond the synopses regarding these 2020 investigations cannot be made public.

 

SPAC meetings are generally held bi-monthly and are open to the public (except when SPAC is in executive session). Meeting dates can be found on the DPS website by clicking the SPAC link under “Committees and Boards.”

 

 

- 30 -

 

Vermont State Police collaborates with DNA experts on Brianna Maitland case

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

Vermont State Police collaborates with DNA experts on Brianna Maitland case

 

WATERBURY, Vermont (Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020) — As part of the Vermont State Police’s ongoing investigation into the 2004 disappearance of Brianna Maitland, detectives are partnering with a Texas-based company on new analysis of scientific evidence that may help shed light on what happened to the missing 17-year-old.

 

Brianna was last seen the evening of March 19, 2004, leaving The Black Lantern Inn in Montgomery, where she worked, in her 1985 Oldsmobile 88. The car was located the next day backed into an abandoned building about a mile from the restaurant. Although initially believed that Brianna might have run away, it was later determined she could have been a victim of foul play. Investigators have pursued multiple leads throughout the years, but none have led to Brianna.

 

Now, the state police Major Crime Unit is collaborating with Othram, a Houston business that specializes in forensic testing and works on the cutting edge of DNA and scientific techniques to help identify victims, locate missing persons and uncover perpetrators of crime.

 

Through this partnership with the Vermont State Police, Othram will analyze DNA evidence recovered during the investigation into Brianna’s disappearance. The company has launched a fundraising drive to cover the costs of testing.

 

“We’ve never lost sight of Brianna’s case and have worked relentlessly to find out what happened to her so we can provide answers for her loved ones and hold any offenders accountable,” said Capt. Scott Dunlap, commander of VSP’s Major Crime Unit. “This partnership, leveraging the latest scientific tools and techniques available, provides our investigators with another avenue to pursue.”

 

The use of genetic genealogy tracing in the Brianna’s case follows a similar partnership announced earlier this summer. The Vermont State Police collaborated with Parabon Nanolabs of Reston, Virginia, to conduct genetic genealogy testing in the unsolved homicide case of an unidentified infant, “Baby Boy Doe,” who was found dead April 1, 1982, on Mill Hill Road in Northfield. Parabon launched a fundraising campaign to cover their costs, which was fully funded through contributions from the public in August. Parabon is now proceeding with its work on this case.

 

Members of the public can help in several ways with the Brianna Maitland investigation. Anyone with tips or other information that might in any way be relevant should contact Detective Sgt. Angela Baker at angela.baker@vermont.gov, or submit an anonymous tip online (https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit).

 

To learn more, visit the case page on the Vermont State Police website, or go to the fundraising page posted by Othram.

 

The direct links are as follows:

• VSP case page: https://vsp.vermont.gov/unsolved/missing/a/maitland
• Fundraising campaign: https://dnasolves.com/articles/brianna_maitland

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Members of the media requesting interviews with investigators regarding the Brianna Maitland case should contact Adam Silverman, the state police public information officer, at adam.silverman@vermont.gov.

 

 

- 30 -