Berlinโข Police โChief Asks Northfield forโ Payment Amid Policing uncertainty
NORTHFIELD, VT – โคBerlin Police Chief James Gosselin is seeking financial โขcompensationโ from the town โof Northfield to โcover โขpolicing gaps stemming from theโ recent departure of Northfield’s police chief โand ongoing uncertainty surroundingโค the future of the department. The request, voiced during a recentโ selectboard meeting, highlights concerns about Northfield’s “murky” political landscape and theโ strain placed on Berlin’s resources as it continues to provide โcoverage.
Northfield has been โwithout a permanent โpolice chief since earlier thisโฃ year when Johnโ Helfant surrendered his law enforcement certification. The town isโฃ currentlyโฃ advertising the position, but the process has been slow,โ with Townโ Manager Schulz remaining unresponsiveโ to inquiries about applications and timelines. This voidโ has led toโค increased reliance onโ mutual aid agreements, especially โwith Berlin,โฃ prompting Chief Gosselin to request compensation for felony-level cases his department handles within Northfield.
The discussion โฃat โthe selectboard meeting centeredโฃ on formalizing the existing service agreement between the towns and perhaps providing financial support to Berlin. Selectboard member Bill Morse confirmed that Helfant hasโค recommended Matthew Romei, the current Norwich Police Chief and former Capitol Police chief, for the position.โ
Selectboard member Paul Pontbriand acknowledged the questions surroundingโข the situation, stating, “They have a โlot โขof questions, which is fine and understandable.” Gosselin suggested a payment structure specifically for felony-type โcases Berlin covers,while โother board members emphasized โthe needโค to attractโ experiencedโ and qualified candidates to rebuild the Northfield Police Department.
The situation underscores the challenges facingโ small Vermont towns โขinโฃ maintaining self-reliant police forces and the increasing reliance on regional cooperationโข to ensure public safety. Theโ outcome of Northfield’s search for a new chief and its response to Berlin’s request will likely setโข a precedent for future inter-town policing agreementsโข in the region.