People are asking the questions, “Where is the Vernon Police Department, and why is the Sheriff’s Department still here?”
During the last few years the police department went through some unforeseen changes. A full staff of three full-time officers and four part-time officers dwindled to just the full-time officers, as the part-timers left and moved on to other agencies. Then disaster struck and Officer Bruce Gauld and I were both out injured with a broken leg within about one month of each other. This resulted in having no other recourse but to contract the Windham County Sheriff’s Department for coverage.
I want to assure all of you who have been so supportive of the Vernon Police Department that we are finally seeing the light at the end of this very long tunnel. The new part-time officers have been working diligently to complete their field training, which is the most important step to becoming certified.
Becoming a police officer is a long process. We must be sure the new officers are well trained and confident in handling all the challenges that will come their way when they are on their own. Once the field training has been completed, the paperwork is sent to the police academy where it is review by a committee, which is the final step to certification.
The injury I incurred in July has been very slow to heal, but I am now released to full duty and have taken over the field training for our new part-time officers. We will be decreasing the shift coverage by the Sheriff’s Department as soon as we have our new officers fully trained. It is an asset to have the various law enforcement agencies working together to provide services to the towns in Windham county and I thank the Sheriff’s Department for coming to our aid in a time of need.
While recuperating, I took care of administrative obligations that kept me very busy preparing the ground work for the vision I have for the Vernon Police Department.
It is my goal to have us fully staffed, with 3 full-time officers, 4 part-time officers, a full-time administrative clerk, and I would like to reinstate the animal control officer. The new cruiser has arrived and I will replace the old Dodge pickup truck. It will be on site for our OPEN HOUSE (see below).
I would also like to start up the Explorers Program for our young men and women who have expressed interest in the field of law enforcement, which offers experiential learning and hands on activities, promoting both growth and development of our adolescent youth.
During my time at the Harvard Police Department in Massachusetts, we disbanded the Dare Program and I was asked by the Chief to come up with an alternative program. I got together with the teaching staff at the elementary school and we had a very productive discussion on what would work best for the students. It was very satisfying to come up with a curriculum tailor made for these exceptionally bright students. This is something I would like to pursue as well for our students at the Vernon Elementary School. These are just a few if the ideas I have had for the community of Vernon.
I am inviting all of you to our Open House on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Please come to meet me and my staff, check out the new cruiser and let’s share ideas on how we can best serve you.
Mary Beth Hebert
Acting Police Chief
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