Northfield board seeks interim police leadership, eyes consultants and neighboring help

The Northfield Select Board moved Wednesday to pursue short‑term leadership and recruitment help for a police department that currently lacks a full complement of certified officers.

Bill Jennings, a longtime criminal‑justice professor who identified himself as associated with the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, told the board the shortage in certified officers is part of a statewide problem and urged Northfield to seek professional help for both an interim chief and a permanent search. "It is not unique to Northfield," Jennings said, urging conversations with the state academy about expedited and alternative certification pathways.

Jennings outlined two practical tracks: the direct route to level‑3 certification via the 17‑week academy and alternative ‘‘reverse APL’’ assessments that could require roughly 1.5–2 years. He recommended bringing on an interim, level‑3 officer to double the town’s immediate capacity while the board pursues a longer search and certification plan.

Residents and board members raised safety concerns about having a single on‑duty officer. One resident, identified in the record as Cindy, said she was "really concerned for the safety of the residents of this town, period," reflecting widespread sentiment that additional presence or mutual‑aid patrols could help deter crime and respond to calls.

The board discussed several specific options: reactivating a previously exchanged memorandum of understanding with the Berlin Police Department; contacting the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Montpelier for interim assistance; and asking the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) to prepare a formal search proposal. Chief Pontrion of the Berlin Police Department, who joined remotely, told the board he had not received direct communication from town staff and urged clearer contact through Berlin’s manager.

Board members repeatedly urged exploring recontacting local runner‑up candidates from the last hiring round — including a candidate variously named in the record as Matt Romeo/Romey — and emphasized the need to verify certification requirements before offering contracts so a new hire can begin work immediately rather than after a long certification delay.

The board also discussed budgeting and recruitment strategy, weighing whether to fund fewer positions at higher pay to attract better‑qualified candidates. Several members said budgeting changes are possible but would require a clear plan from interim leadership to manage training, evaluations and oversight.

Next steps agreed on by voice were to: reestablish direct communications with Berlin’s select board and manager to resolve MOU questions; ask VLCT for a formal proposal on conducting a chief search and executive recruitment; explore interim chief options through consultants or neighboring agencies; and recontact prior applicants for immediate temporary help. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn that passed by voice vote.