On Sept. 1, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) board of directors released its Perspectives on Police Reform (vlct.org/VLCT_Perspectives_on_Police_Reform).
“We feel it’s important for municipal police departments to reflect the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said board member Elaine Haney, Select Board chair in Essex. “To that end, we are providing leadership on this issue so our members can best respond to this growing challenge.”
VLCT encourages all of its members to adopt the principles and practices of 21st Century policing, focusing on seven key principles.
Hire the right person for the community.
Involve residents in the process.
Transform training and certification requirements and opportunities for police officers.
Create a Vermont-based law enforcement accreditation process and encourage voluntary accreditation of law enforcement agencies.
Increase reporting, data sharing, and experience sharing.
Invest in transparency and accountability.
Hold officers accountable and preserve qualified immunity.
“It is essential for municipal officials to engage in potentially difficult conversations with both community members and police departments,” said VLCT board member Jessie Baker, city manager in Winooski. “The values of the community need to be understood by all and reflected in the hiring, training, supervision, and daily conduct of officers.”
Earlier this month, a special subcommittee of the VLCT board began to work on this perspective, which is grounded in the principals of 21st Century policing. “We know that this is a transformative moment for our country,” said Dominic Cloud, city manager in St. Albans. “We have a lot of work to do to ensure that inclusion, diversity, and equity are values that are embodied by both our police officers and all local officials and residents. At the same time, we know that law enforcement is among the most demanding and potentially dangerous work done by municipal employees. We need to support police professionals and make sure they receive the necessary training to respond safely to the diverse needs of the residents in their communities.”
