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Essex police chief reports promotions, retirements, recruit graduations and a pending manslaughter charge
Summary
The chief updated P-CAP on personnel moves: Mike Castelline was chosen as the next lieutenant, Detective Sergeant John Dunn will retire in July, two new recruits are in field training, and detectives have charged Miss Campbell in an animal-attack death; the select board will review proposed dog ordinances.
The chief briefed the Police Community Advisory Panel on personnel changes, recruitment and recent case work.
The panel was told that Mike Castelline was selected as the next lieutenant after a multi-candidate selection process; he has been with the department about 13 years, has patrol and K9 experience, was promoted to sergeant in 2022 and has run the Citizens Academy. The chief said he plans to introduce Castelline to the board at the next meeting.
Detective Sergeant John Dunn is expected to retire in July after 22 years of service; the department will run a sergeant selection process next week with eight applicants and a separate interview for a dispatch supervisor. Two recent academy graduates, Mitchell Landry and Dominic Allen, are now on field training.
On criminal matters, detectives investigated an animal-attack death and, in coordination with the State's Attorney's Office, charged Miss Campbell with manslaughter and reckless endangerment; she was arraigned the same day, and the chief said the case remains pending. The panel did not receive detailed case filings during the meeting.
The chief also told the panel the select board had received proposed dog ordinances for initial review and noted a state-law requirement that certain ordinance changes require voter approval. The department plans to discuss the potential Chittenden County CJC transition; the transcript notes the Essex CJC is expected to become the Chittenden County CJC on June 30, 2026.
Members and the chief discussed recruitment efforts, including using event outreach and marketing videos produced by a contracted firm to help retention and hiring. The chief asked for assistance filling openings for a dispatch supervisor and other positions and encouraged members to refer candidates.
The chiefs remarks were presented as operational updates; no binding personnel actions were taken by the panel during the meeting.
