(Host) The interim director of the Vermont Police Academy says systemic problems still plague the academy. That’s 10 months after the sudden resignation of the previous director and the suicide of an academy trainer. He says increasing salaries of trainers is the key to improving the morale and staffing problems at the academy.
VPR’s Steve Zind reports.
(Zind) Former State Police Director James Baker says he was shocked by the low morale when he agreed to step in as director of the police academy until a permanent replacement is found.
The academy is responsible for training or certifying all law enforcement officers in Vermont.
Speaking on VPR’s Vermont Edition, Baker says the events of last January and a steady turnover in the director’s position had taken their toll.
(Baker) "Some of the staff members there are now dealing with their third or fourth director. Like any other leadership position, when someone comes in things change. And the lack of ability to be able to have consistency in that also adds to the problem, and the demoralizing atmosphere that I found when I got there from the staff. This staff was completely demoralized."
(Zind) Baker says low salaries have also created a chronic understaffing problem among police trainers at the academy. Until a month ago, 4 of the academy’s eleven full time positions were unfilled. Baker says the jobs need to pay more to attract experienced people who have both good policing skills and good teaching abilities.
(Baker) "It’s as simple as this decision. It’s either, you bring in second or third tier to train your law enforcement officers or you raise the salary to bring in first tier individuals. We recognize just how difficult that is to tackle right now because of the financial situation in the state, but at the end of the day, training quality police officers is incredibly important to the citizens of Vermont."
(Zind) Baker says there’s growing recognition that salaries at the academy need to be improved and he’s hopeful changes will be made.
Even the director’s position has been difficult to fill because of low pay. Baker says he originally agreed to serve as interim director until last June. He says now he’ll stay until a replacement is found.
Among the other issues facing the academy is a lack of administrative support from state government.
Baker says the academy is a quasi-governmental institution. That means the agency doesn’t have access to the same human resources and legal advice as other state agencies.
For VPR News, I’m Steve Zind.