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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019

News Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net 

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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