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Committee hears mixed views on Windham County pilot to create law-enforcement governance council
Summary
Lawmakers and witnesses at the Government Operations & Military Affairs Committee hearing on S255 split between support for a Windham County pilot that would shift some policing funding to the county and concerns from state police and sheriffs about accountability and whether the model can be replicated elsewhere.
The Government Operations & Military Affairs Committee continued testimony on S255 on March 26, considering a one-county pilot that would let Windham County towns jointly govern and fund certain sheriff services.
Assistant Judge Lamont Barnett, who said he has worked closely with Sheriff Mark Anderson, told the committee the current funding model is “antiquated” and argued counties are better positioned than small towns to manage policing costs. “It always made more sense that the county should play a larger role in providing policing for its county if we indeed want to ensure the safety of our citizens,” Barnett said, noting Windham County’s budget is about $1 million and that the sheriff’s portion comprises roughly half of that total.
Barnett urged starting the pilot only in Windham County so lawmakers can test the model before other counties opt in.…
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