BRIGHTON - Police Chief Tom Hanlon and two trained officers have been sworn in as members of the town's first police department.
The department's new telephone was installed Tuesday, and a new cruiser is coming soon.
During annual town meeting in March, longtime Constable Ted Miller was defeated and Darren "Bucky" Tardif was elected to replace him.
But, it would take 16 months for Tardif to be trained and he would have to train with a state police field supervisor for a year before he could be certified to enforce the law, according to Mike Bresette, the Brighton Board of Selectmen chairman.
"We were very fortunate about town meeting time," Bresette said. "Tom Hanlon retired from the Vermont State Police. He lives in town and has offered his services to help set up a police department."
Hanlon is a long time Brighton resident, and one of his new part-time officers lives in town. The two officers, Steve Gilbert of East Montpelier and Nick Rivers of Island Pond, work for the Newport Police Department.
"I have to tell you, we couldn't ask for better, and they are so well qualified," Bresette said. "We're very happy and looking forward to them working here, and they are too."
The process of establishing the new police department was done through a very public process with members of the community invited to meetings first to discuss the possibility, and then to decide to create the department, Bresette said.
"There was very strong support," Bresette said. "There were several meetings."
Discussions began when residents were called for a special meeting to vote on acquiring a new police cruiser. Then about 45 people showed up for another meeting to talk about establishing a police department, he said.
"One thing is people are pleased to have a police presence in town," he said. "We could call 911, and the Sheriff's Department patrolled, but this is better."
A police department budget was already established and approved for $55,755, which Bresette said should be enough to cover the department's cost.
"Miller worked 32 hours, and our goal is that for the department," Bresette said. He said the chief and two officers will work on average 32 hours per week.
"Some days we know we'll go over, like Memorial Day, when we want all three officers working," Bresette said.
"Tom is scheduling the hours. He's worked very hard on this and never charged the town." Bresette said in describing Hanlon's work leading up to establishing the police department.
While the department awaits its new police cruiser, due to arrive in June, the town has obtained magnetized shields for the door of Hanlon's personal car. Brighton Chevrolet has offered to lease the town a white sedan that it expects to take in trade to use as a cruiser.
"That way people can get used to seeing the white car with the police emblem on the door," Bresette said.
He said the new cruiser will be paid for through a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant of $8,000 and a loan of $12,000 from the same agency, as approved by voters.
He explained that while Miller was constable, he had obtained grants to purchase equipment for a police car, which can be installed in the new cruiser.
Hanlon said he would re-establish his field supervisor certification and be willing to serve as Tardif's supervisor for a year, Bresette said.
Tardif failed his first entrance exam to the police academy, but he did not sign up for a second entrance exam date, according to town Administrator Joel Cope.
"We haven't seen him since," Cope said.
The town has offered to pay Tardif while he was in training, he said.
On Wednesday night, Tardif said he was aware of Hanlon's offer and would probably accept it. Tardif said he thought the creation of the department was a good development.
"I think it's going to work out great for the town," Tardif said.
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