Longtime Woodstock police chief to retire

Woodstock Police Chief Robbie Blish is retiring from the Woodstock Police Department. His last  day on the job will be July 16.

 “Since July 15, 2011, I have had the privilege of being entrusted with leading the Woodstock Police Department as its chief of police,” Blish said in a statement. “Throughout this time, I have served with a group of extraordinary people who daily demonstrate their professionalism and commitment to the citizens and visitors of Woodstock. During the last several months, as I have reflected on this remarkable opportunity and honor, I have determined that it is time to step away from this profession, of which I’ve been a proud member for nearly 35 years.”

Woodstock Municipal Manager Eric Duffy announced Blish’s retirement on March 14.

Blish is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a graduate of Norwich University. He began his policing career in 1988 with the Springfield Police Department in Vermont, serving the Springfield community until 1995. He served 16 years with the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department serving in various units and in various supervisory roles before retiring in 2011 and becoming Chief of Police of the Woodstock Police Department. Since becoming chief in Woodstock in 2011 Blish served as president of the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police and sits on the VACOP’s executive board. He has also represented Vermont on the New England Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Board and he sat on the VT Criminal Justice Training Council’s Use of Force Committee, Domestic Violence Training Committee and the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police Representative on the  state’s Domestic Violence Council.