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Richmond hires permanent police chief and explores shared-chief contract with Hinesburg
Summary
Richmond named Anthony Camri its police chief and the select board discussed a proposal to reverse the existing shared-chief contract so Hinesburg would contract with Richmond for shared chief services, with a near-term contract and a possible longer-term municipal-district governance option under consideration.
The Richmond Select Board on Jan. 21 voted to hire Anthony Camri as the town’s police chief and held an extended discussion about formalizing shared-chief services with neighboring Hinesburg.
Town officials said Camri has served as Richmond’s interim chief on a contract basis since summer 2023 and has expressed a desire to work in the town where he lives. “I only point out that this agenda Item B has I believe two parts,” Chief Camri said, adding that recruiting for officer positions is ongoing. Town Manager Josh Arneson welcomed Camri and said the hire made the mid-February transition to a town employee likely.
Board members spent much of the meeting examining whether to “flip” the current contract arrangement — in which Richmond contracts with Hinesburg for chief services — so that Hinesburg would instead contract with Richmond and Camri would be employed by Richmond while providing shared coverage to both towns. Supporters said a short-term contract could preserve immediate coverage while a joint public meeting and subsequent negotiations could work toward a longer-term cooperative agreement or a municipal district with shared governance.
Select Board member Adam said the long-term option would provide predictable budgeting and staffing and recommended a staged approach: a near-term contract to maintain coverage, paired with a public, joint meeting to build trust and discuss a phase-two governance structure. Jeff and Jay urged holding a joint meeting so the public from both towns could observe and comment. Board members also flagged practical questions — which town would pay for infrastructure like Sally ports and evidence-processing systems, how to split operating costs, and how to handle outs in voluntary contracts.
Several members emphasized transparency. One board member suggested the near-term contract be placed on the agenda for a meeting that would include Hinesburg representatives; another proposed a 20–45 minute public session to review a draft contract and identify items for a later, more substantive phase.
The board did not adopt a final intermunicipal agreement on Jan. 21 but directed staff to prepare a draft and suggested scheduling a joint meeting with Hinesburg to discuss the near-term contract and potential long-term governance options.
