Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Vermont State Police Williston Field Station

 ***MEDIA ADVISORY***

WILLISTON BARRACKS GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY

What:                   Groundbreaking ceremony for new Vermont State Police Williston field station.

When:                 10 a.m. Friday, September 2, 2022

Where:               3294 St. George Road, Williston VT.  New park and ride construction is near the interstate exit, the barracks site is slightly south on the same property.  Upon entering the site, you will be directed where to park.

Who:                   Remarks by Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison, Buildings and General Services Commissioner Jennifer Fitch, and Vermont State Police Director Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, and others.

RSVP:                   Members of the media who plan to attend are asked to email Mark Bosma, at mark.bosma@vermont.gov.

 

 

State law-enforcement agencies fine-tune operational protocols to enhance public safety

 

State law-enforcement agencies fine-tune operational protocols to enhance public safety

MONTPELIER, Vermont (Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022) — The state agencies and departments with law-enforcement responsibilities are taking new steps to enhance public safety by maximizing response capacity.

 

The departments of Public Safety, Fish and Wildlife, Liquor and Lottery, and Motor Vehicles are strengthening existing enforcement-focused partnerships and improving day-to-day coordination and operational efficiency to focus on addressing violent crime and preventing fatal crashes on Vermont's roads.

 

The four departmental law-enforcement agencies are the Vermont State Police; the Department of Fish and Wildlife's Warden Service Division; Department of Liquor and Lottery's Office of Compliance and Enforcement; and the Enforcement and Safety Division of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Although each law-enforcement agency wears a different uniform and reports through a different chain of command, public safety officials remind Vermonters that they all have the same statutory authority to enforce the laws of Vermont throughout the state.

 

Strengthening the partnership between state law-enforcement agencies allows each agency to better share intelligence, data and resources in service of the state's public safety priorities.  The stepped-up state-level collaboration is in addition to increased coordination with federal law enforcement partners and part of Gov. Phil Scott's 10-point public safety enhancement and violence prevention action plan. 

 

"Like every sector, as the state's population continues to age and the workforce gets smaller, many state and local law-enforcement agencies across Vermont face hiring and retention challenges," Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison said. "At the same time, there are increases in criminal activity that need to be addressed, and this is going to require creative solutions and coordination that optimizes our operational capacity."

 

ONGOING OPERATIONAL COORDINATION IS KEY

To ensure ongoing coordination and a nimble response to public safety needs statewide, Governor Scott has directed department leaders to meet weekly to coordinate operations, develop specific metrics for measuring the impact of changes, and to adjust, as needed, to prioritize efforts and respond to conditions on the ground.

 

"I've asked the departments to find more ways to coordinate law-enforcement efforts and strengthen the state's data-driven, intelligence-based response to crime," Governor Scott said.  "While the law enforcement entities in these agencies and departments have long-worked together and intersected on multiple cases and investigations, more clearly defined areas of operational responsibility will help support response capacity statewide."

In the near term, as the State works to hire more law enforcement officers, these operational modifications will support law enforcement capacity to respond to the most pressing and urgent public safety needs. And for the longer term, these efforts are a first step in what the Governor expects to be continuous improvement in the level of coordination and collaboration between state law enforcement assets.

 

Specifically:

 

• DLL's Office of Compliance and Enforcement will conduct follow-up investigations on all alcohol-related crashes involving liquor licenses, handle all enforcement concerns of the Cannabis Control Board when it needs law enforcement support, and investigate unemployment benefits fraud cases for the Department of Labor. 
• DMV's Enforcement and Safety Division will handle all crashes involving commercial vehicles and provide a higher-profile presence on highways and state routes. DMV Inspectors will continue to support federal, state, and municipal law enforcement partners with emergency response and investigative assistance.
• Fish and Wildlife's Warden Service Division will handle all accidental hunting-related shootings, provide primary response for patrols and investigations on state land (including access areas, state parks, and Wildlife Management Areas), and conduct all animal cruelty investigations
• The Vermont State Police will continue to conduct statewide criminal investigations and use increased capacity created by these clarified areas of responsibility to help sustain community patrols and response, and the statewide focus on addressing violent crime, drug-related incidents, and domestic violence.

 

STATEMENTS FROM AGENCY/DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVES

 "Our dedicated Enforcement and Safety team at the Department of Motor Vehicles are experts in their field and will work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all travelers on our state highway system and are eager to do their part help expand the State's capacity to address pressing public safety concerns," Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn said.

 

"Public safety is at the core of our mission," said Wendy Knight, commissioner of the Department of Liquor and Lottery. "DLL's talented team of law-enforcement officers is committed to applying their investigative skills in this statewide, collaborative initiative to ensure the safety of Vermont communities."

 

"The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is committed to doing its part for the public safety of all Vermonters," Commissioner Christopher Herrick said. "While taking on expanded roles in some aspects of this collaboration, the department's game wardens will continue to protect Vermont's natural resources and be available as back up for all other law enforcement officers. We are all very proud to be part of this team effort."

 

ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S 10-POINT PUBLIC SAFETY ACTION PLAN

On August 17, Governor Scott issued a 10-point public safety enhancement and violence prevention action plan, laying out the framework of a comprehensive response to address violent crime and other public safety concerns across the state. Click here for more information.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Members of the media may request interviews by emailing the following contacts at each agency and department:

• Agency of Transportation: Amy Tatko, director of communications and public outreach — amy.tatko@vermont.gov.
• Department of Liquor and Lottery: Jacqueline Posley, communications & legislative liaison — jacqueline.posley@vermont.gov.
• Department of Fish and Wildlife: Joshua Morse, public information officer — joshua.morse@vermont.gov.
• Department of Public Safety: Adam Silverman, public information officer, Vermont State Police — adam.silverman@vermont.gov.

 

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

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