Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police

Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police to Hold Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony

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Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police
PO Box 9494
South Burlington, VT 05407

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected] 

Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police to Hold Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony

HINESBURG, Vt. — The Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police (VACOP) announces that the annual Vermont Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Ceremony will be held this Friday.

WHEN:

Friday, May 17 at 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Vermont Criminal Justice Training Academy, 317 Academy Road, Pittsford

WHAT:

Each year, The Vermont Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Ceremony honors those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The memorial service is coordinated annually by a VACOP subcommittee of police chiefs, personnel from state and municipal law enforcement agencies and the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council.

The event is held in Pittsford each year, where the Vermont Law Enforcement Memorial is located.

Each year, the names of any Vermont officers killed the year prior in the line of duty are etched into the memorial during the ceremony. To date, more than 30 names are on the memorial.

In the event that research or new information uncovers the name of an officer who sacrificed his or her life in the line of duty during Vermont’s history, that individual’s name is also added to the memorial.

According to the FBI, 106 law enforcement officers nationwide were killed in line-of-duty incidents in 2018. 

Gov. Phil Scott and U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan have been invited to give remarks at the memorial service.

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Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police Urges Legislature to Fund Statewide Racial Bias Study

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Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police
PO Box 9494
South Burlington, VT 05407

For Immediate Release

Monday, Feb. 25, 2019

News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected] 

Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police Urges Legislature to Fund Statewide Racial Bias Study

HINESBURG, Vt. — The Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police (VACOP) is today encouraging the Vermont State Legislature to fund a statewide study of all law enforcement agencies to accurately collect data and offer authoritative conclusions on racial bias during traffic stops.

The VACOP’s call for a new study comes in the wake of conflicting reports that have been published in recent years on racial bias during traffic stops in Vermont.

In Jan. 2017, a report titled “Driving While Black and Brown in Vermont” was published by University of Vermont and Cornell University professors. The report gave several conclusions suggesting there was significant racial bias exhibited by law enforcement during traffic stops in Vermont.

Then in the past few weeks, a report published by the Crime Research Group not only highlights vastly different conclusions about racial bias during traffic stops in Bennington, but also asserts that the conclusions from the 2017 study are “questionable” due to “data issues” and “incorrect methodology.” Additional police departments have volunteered to participate in CRG’s study to test appropriate methodologies in Vermont.

Both studies were spurred by Act 193, which was passed by the Legislature in 2014 and mandates that law enforcement groups in Vermont collect data on all traffic stops, including the race of the driver.

The VACOP is urging support for this call for an independent, holistic, state-funded study.

“Bias in law enforcement is a serious national concern and is of the utmost importance to each and every police chief in Vermont,” said Hinesburg Police Chief Frank Koss, the VACOP president. “Our association urges the Legislature to fund the definitive, independent study of the data so that police and citizens alike can have a report that will help us move forward and guide the ongoing conversation about police anti-bias training.”

ABOUT THE VERMONT CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION:

The Vermont Chiefs of Police Association strives for the highest degree of respect for and maintenance of law and order through partnership and cooperation not only among law enforcement agencies but among community stakeholders. The general nature and object of the VACOP is to encourage closer cooperation of all law enforcement agencies in seeking the detection and prevention of crime, the apprehension and prosecution of criminals, and exchange and dissemination of information as well as to encourage and assist in the enlightenment and education of the general public to understand and better partner with law enforcement. The association also advocates for and sponsors police training at the cadet level and throughout the career of a law enforcement officer.

VACOP also advocates for legislation for the protection of those we serve and the advancement and welfare of the police profession.

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Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police Endorse Benefits for Survivors of Law Enforcement Bill

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Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police
PO Box 9494
South Burlington, VT 05407

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019

News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected] 

Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police Endorse Benefits for Survivors of Law Enforcement Bill

HINESBURG, VERMONT — The Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police (VACOP) has endorsed a bill that would offer police officers’ families the same monetary benefits already available to the surviving families of their fire and EMS colleagues.

Bill H.66, sponsored by Rep. Michael Yantachka and Rep. Laura Sibilia, underwent it’s first reading before the Legislature on Jan. 23 and has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

If passed, the bill would provide a one time $50,000 benefit to the survivors of any law enforcement officer certified by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council that dies either in the line of duty or following an occupation related illness.

It is the third time a bill has been proposed to the Legislature seeking to amend the existing law to include law enforcement officers.

“The law already allows the survivors of firefighters and EMS providers to receive a one time monetary death benefit, should there be a death while that person is performing their duty to protect and save lives,” said Newport Police Chief Seth DiSanto, Vice President of VACOP. “The families of law enforcement should be offered the same, should they ever fall victim to a tragedy while on duty.”

In addition to amending the current law to include the survivors of law enforcement officers, the bill would also add the Executive Director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council and a member of the public appointed by the governor to the benefit review board that oversees whether a family qualifies for the benefit.

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Statement of Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police Regarding Police Academy Drill and Review

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Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police
PO Box 9494
South Burlington, VT 05407

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019

News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected] 

Statement of Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police Regarding Police Academy Drill and Review

HINESBURG, VERMONT — The Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police (VACOP) has been made aware of complaints lodged by the Burlington Police Department regarding a specific training exercise at the Vermont Police Academy.

As professionals and leaders in the field of law enforcement, the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police supports a comprehensive and rigorous police recruit training program tailored to meet the needs of the State of Vermont and its citizens.

VACOP and the Vermont Sheriffs’ Association collectively represent all 56 municipal and 14 county law enforcement agencies in Vermont. The two organizations jointly wish to voice their support and confidence in the work of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council and our support and confidence in the Vermont Police Academy, its instructors and its staff.

The association expects and has received assurances that any complaints or allegations of deficiencies brought to light will be investigated and that training programs are continuously reviewed and revised.

“As law enforcement leaders, we support training that prepares our future officers to meet the demands of our profession,” said Hinesburg Police Chief Frank Koss, President of VACOP. “Our expectation is that all training is evaluated for its learning objectives and conducted in a safe environment while at the same time provides real life training scenarios. When deficiencies are alleged, we expect them to be investigated. We have confidence in the mission of the VCJTC, and that its leaders will conduct an investigation into alleged deficiencies and make the results public once complete.”

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