State Police advisory member says commission reviews misconduct but does not impose discipline

Allison Crowley, a member of the State Police Advisory Commission (SPAC), told the Senate Government Operations Committee on Jan. 17 that the commission reviews allegations of misconduct involving the Vermont State Police, conducts public meetings and issues biannual reports, but does not itself impose discipline.

Crowley told senators that SPAC “is a citizen's advisory group” that examines complaints referred to the commissioner and discusses whether the commission considers any departmental sanction fair. She said the commission’s meetings are open to the public and are usually held bimonthly.

The commission’s review role is intended to add transparency to internal affairs work. Crowley presented the commission’s most recent biannual synopsis, which — she said — covered investigations for a specified period and listed internal and external case counts: “a total of 13 internally generated cases, and 7 of those were founded and 5 were unfounded,” and “4 externally generated” cases were recorded; she cautioned that executive‑session material and some case details remain confidential.

Crowley described SPAC’s process and limits: the commission hears and discusses investigation results and the commissioner’s proposed disciplinary action; the commissioner — not SPAC — ultimately imposes reprimands or other sanctions. “We hear and we, and we, and we discuss them,” she said. She also told the committee that the department and the troopers’ union are involved in disciplinary discussions.

Committee members asked about sanctions and process. Crowley said the range of possible commissioner actions depends on the allegation; she noted that in some cases troopers resign before a serious reprimand is imposed. She also said that most complaints SPAC sees are internally generated and that the department has increased a “see something, say something” mentality among troopers.

On training and operations, Crowley said she has been impressed by troopers’ on‑scene de‑escalation and the department’s continuing education: “the methods that he used to kind of calm her down a little bit ... came from training,” she said, describing a public‑facing interaction she observed after a meeting.

The committee did not take a formal vote on SPAC matters during the Jan. 17 hearing. At the meeting’s start committee leaders said they were holding votes pending the outcome of an expedited Supreme Court case about appointment authority; Crowley’s appearance was presented as confirmation testimony while the committee awaits that decision.

The committee requested follow‑up on procedural questions that crossed into other oversight bodies, including the interplay between SPAC and the Criminal Justice Council; Crowley said she would check and report back.

The committee heard the testimony as part of a broader agenda; senators thanked Crowley for her service and asked that the commission keep the committee updated on published reports and any procedural questions that require legislative clarification.