Bennington’s Community Policing Advisory Review Board has gotten off the ground, making initial plans to learn more about residents’ experiences with town police.
The six-member board of civilians formed Thursday an internal committee for community outreach. It aims to gather information about residents’ interactions with the Bennington Police Department, knowing that some have reported unfavorable experiences with the agency.
Board member Robert Ebert suggested getting input from local social service organizations, such as a counseling center, the coalition for the homeless and the area’s biggest food pantry, about their clients’ police dealings. He’d like to confirm or refute the findings of a 2019 survey by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, where more than a third of respondents expressed distrust of the Bennington Police Department.
“If we validate this data and find out that there is the situation here, then maybe we can think of ways to improve,” Ebert said.
The police advisory review board is part of a continuing effort to reform the Bennington Police Department, which began after the agency was criticized for improperly handling the harassment of then-state Rep. Kiah Morris, the second Black woman to serve in the Vermont Legislature.
The Bennington town government hired the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2019 to perform a comprehensive review of the police department’s policies and its relationship with the community. Among the association’s findings was that officers portrayed a “warrior mentality,” which caused mistrust within some segments of the community.
The association made several recommendations, including that Bennington consider establishing a community advisory board to build residents’ trust in town police.
The Community Policing Advisory Review Board was established in April, though without the oversight powers that the town selectboard initially envisioned. The advisory review board held its first formal meeting last month, where members debated how involved they want Bennington police to be in their meetings.
At its meeting on Thursday, board Chair Kelly Carroll clarified that the town resolution establishing the group intended for Police Chief Paul Doucette or his designee to be present at all board meetings. Bennington Selectboard member Tom Hailey would serve as liaison to the selectboard.
During the advisory review board’s meetings, the police representative can speak at the public comment portion and answer questions from board members. But Bennington police would need to request a spot on the meeting agenda if they want to present a report or give a lengthier talk.
A motion to automatically include police at the board’s monthly meetings failed, with three no votes, one yes vote and two abstentions.
“I’m really leery of having too much of a police presence at our regular meetings,” Ebert said before the vote. “They’re here as a resource for us.”
Meanwhile, Bennington Selectboard Chair Jeannie Jenkins said town officials still want the advisory review board to have oversight powers when complaints are filed against Bennington police. Right now, according to the town attorney, Vermont law allows only the police chief, town manager and selectboard members to take on that role.
Until state law changes — or Bennington changes its town charter — civilian oversight of the Bennington Police Department’s internal investigations rests with the selectboard.
“We are still pursuing ways to provide expanded access” to members of the advisory review board, Jenkins said in an interview. “At this point, I think we’re in a slight holding pattern until we know what’s possible.”
She said the town has reached out to state legislators for their assistance and is waiting for the next legislative session to start in January.