COMMENTARY: ACTING US ATTORNEY JONATHAN A. OPHARDT | USAO-VT

As the acting U.S. attorney for Vermont, I have spent the past few months visiting local, state, and state law enforcement partners across our state, as well as visiting many of my fellow attorneys in the district attorney’s offices. At these meetings, I asked for feedback on how my office can better help fight violent crime in Vermont, particularly gun violence. I have heard two concerns across the state: Violent crime is increasing and law enforcement capacity is eroding. The data confirms those concerns and the implications for Vermont’s future are worrying.

Violent crime in Vermont is increasing

Violent crime is a significant and growing challenge for Vermonters. My office has seen an increase in violence by drug trafficking organizations, an increase in collateral violence against those with severe substance abuse disorders (i.e., grocery store robberies), an increase in domestic violence, and an increase in violence against those with mental health problems. FBI data shows that between 2016 and 2019 (the last year for which data is available) Vermont saw an increase from 136.5 violent crimes per 100,000 population to 202.2 violent crime per 100,000 population. During the same period, the prevalence of firearms as a violent weapon rose by 36 percent.

Unfortunately, the number of civil servants who can respond to this surge in violent crime is rapidly decreasing.

The recruitment and retention of the police is in crisis

Vermont is having a police recruitment and retention crisis. A recent report from the Vermont Department of Public Security highlighted the incredible challenge of retaining and recruiting the men and women of our law enforcement agencies. Between 2018 and 2021, Vermont’s total number of civil servants on duty decreased by 14%. Of the 75 Burlington police officers, 31 are actively seeking employment elsewhere. Ms. Morrison’s report estimates that the number of full-time civil servants in the state will fall below 700 civil servants by January 2022, a reduction of over 125 civil servants across the state. While 159 officers will leave the police force in 2021, only 23 will have graduated from the Vermont Police Academy.

News reports from across the state show that the reduction in the number of officers available has already resulted in service restrictions, from Brattleboro to Bellows Falls to Burlington. In addition, staffing problems with the Vermont State Police have reduced the level of service provided by VSP to cities with no departments of their own, resulting in city dwellers demanding the establishment of new police departments from the selection boards. The decrease in VSP availability has increased the dependency and requirement on the Vermont sheriffs who contract with local communities to provide patrol coverage, resulting in increased costs for the communities. In Burlington, concerns about escalating violence have led the Burlington Business Association to pursue private security for Church Street, calling for police patrols to be stepped up in downtown Burlington.

Consequences of a recruitment and retention crisis

In Burlington, a man with a long history of violent encounters has caused nearly 26 police entanglements so far in 2021, culminating in his arrest for aggravated assault and hate crimes this month. Another had over 30 involvements in numerous violent episodes, culminating in his hammer attack on a good Samaritan trying to protect the intended victim. These cases are two examples of how our police officers continue to be tasked on a daily basis with facilitating challenging encounters in our communities and acting as mental health interventionists and crisis relief workers.

The work of law enforcement agencies remains as difficult as ever as police measures are scrutinized, but with diminishing resources. Communities across Vermont have had necessary and overdue talks about police reform, and an investigation into policing methods and practices is warranted and warranted. We want sensible and rational police officers who stand up for their communities for the right reasons. But sensible and rational people think twice about taking an oath of service and joining the ranks of law enforcement agencies.

A decline in recruitment and an increase in the number of departures has wider implications than just the number of officers available to patrol and respond. The departments will be forced to reduce their number of detectives, moving the police departments further from crime solvers to crisis workers and detective documents. A reduction in capable investigative capacity will reduce the exposure of sophisticated and covert criminal activity, from child exploitation to human trafficking to fraud. Atrophy of experienced officers will reduce training capacity and deprive the departments of skilled managers.

Our law enforcement officers have vowed to protect everyone in Vermont from harm. I am deeply concerned about a shift to private security and competition for sheriff’s services as it would mean security in Vermont is only offered to citizens and communities who can afford to pay for it. Vermont needs a skilled police force who can protect the vulnerable, investigate criminal activity, and bring to justice those who undermine our communities. High quality, responsive, and compassionate public security services must be available to all Vermonters, not just the highest bidder.

Ensuring equal access to safety and security requires a steady stream of law enforcement job applicants who are smart, capable, dedicated, courageous, and compassionate. As we discuss how policing needs to change, we must also recognize the continuing need for highly qualified law enforcement officers, encourage good men and women to join their ranks, and support those who are honorable in a profession who is committed and committed Requires sacrifice.