Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Personnel Equipment Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DPS budget presentation: civilianizing posts, body/dash camera costs, firearms and vehicle funding shifts
Summary
Department officials described converting 11 sworn positions to civilian roles, ongoing payments for body/dash cameras and evidence‑storage systems, a one‑time firearm replacement, and a shift of vehicle funding from the Transportation Fund to the general fund as part of JTOC-related changes.
Department of Public Safety officials told the House Appropriations Committee that they have converted 11 sworn positions to civilian classifications where the duties do not require certification or an armed officer and that the move reduces pressure on the separate law‑enforcement retirement (Class C) fund.
Lieutenant Colonel Jim Whitcomb described the civilianization as a way to retain investigative talent and perform work that does not require a badge and a gun. "This is the way for us to, potentially better utilize the the talent, within the Vermont State Police for positions related to policing and also, hiring, top notch people that will continue in positions doing, very important investigations for us long term," he said.
Budget staff also highlighted equipment and line‑item shifts: Motorola body‑worn and dash camera payments and storage costs were shifted to specific line items; an approximately $521,000 general‑fund increase includes $400,000 for a firearm replacement (the department said the replacement is for all duty carry firearms, same caliber but a different model), and vehicle funding previously appropriated from the Transportation Fund was moved into general funds as part of the JTOC transfer.
The department identified a $156,000 increase for the drug task force grant line (a pass‑through to participating municipalities), said it has carried forward $435,000 for hiring incentives and loan repayment, and noted vacancy savings lines have been plugged in some appropriations because divisions are fully staffed and cannot absorb vacancy savings.
Committee members asked about retirement and benefit differences when civilianizing positions; Morrison said incumbent employees are not reclassified mid‑career but that future hires for reclassified positions would join regular classified service with different retirement implications.
No formal action was taken; staff offered additional line‑item crosswalks and said they would provide more detailed documentation as requested.
