State police are investigating a hit-and-run incident that resulted in significant damage to a historic brick pillar at the entrance to the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford.
According to the Vermont State Police from the Rutland Barracks, a dark-colored truck pulling a car trailer is suspected of backing into the pillar before leaving the scene without reporting the crash.
The incident occurred today between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
State police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Corporal Loyzelle at the Rutland Barracks at 802-773-9101.
In another significant development, VSP has announced a major reorganization of top leadership.
The comprehensive, phased approach also will allow the state police to review the potential of professional staff rather than sworn personnel to take on leadership roles, and to reduce the overall number of command staff positions.
“Along with managing current staffing challenges, we also must work to position the Vermont State Police for success in the years to come,” said. Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the state police. “This well-thought-out organizational framework enables us to provide both continuity and growth for the future of the Vermont State Police, and serves the people of Vermont by better aligning our resources to meet the state’s current policing needs and challenges.”
During this reorganization process, the following state police commanders have been promoted to new positions:
- James Whitcomb, promoted from major/Field Force Division commander to lieutenant colonel/deputy director: Lt. Col. Whitcomb will serve as second in command at the Vermont State Police. Additionally, upon the retirement later this summer of Maj. Kevin Lane, Lt. Col. Whitcomb will assume direct leadership of the Support Services Division.
- David Petersen, promoted from captain/Special Operations commander to major/Field Force Division commander: Maj. Petersen is responsible for overseeing all Vermont State Police uniformed troopers, corporals, sergeants and lieutenants at VSP’s 10 barracks and the commanders of A Troop in northern Vermont and B Troop in the southern part of the state.
- Shawn Loan, promoted from lieutenant/Vermont Intelligence Center commander to captain/Special Investigations commander: The Special Investigations commander is responsible for supervising the Vermont Intelligence Center (VIC), the Narcotics Investigation Unit (NIU) and Vermont Drug Task Force (VDTF), and the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit (FEIU).
- Debra Munson, promoted from lieutenant/Williston Barracks commander to captain/Special Operations Commander: The Special Operations commander oversees the Vermont State Police Emergency Services Unit, Traffic Safety Unit, Recreational Safety and Enforcement Unit, and all department special teams.
- Paul Ravelin, promoted from sergeant/patrol commander to lieutenant/Special Operations Unit executive officer: The Special Operations Unit executive officer is responsible for the state police’s traffic safety initiatives along with helping oversee the recreation enforcement. Lt. Ravelin has been acting as the unit’s commander since 2021.
These commanders have been transferred to new assignments:
- Lt. Michael Dion, from assistant staff operations commander to detective lieutenant/Technology Investigation Unit commander.
- Lt. Cory Lozier, from New Haven Barracks commander to Williston Barracks commander.
- Lt. Robert McKenna, from director of Internal Affairs to director of recruiting and training at the Office of Professional Development.
- Lt. Thomas Mozzer, from director of recruiting and training to New Haven Barracks commander.
- Lt. Tara Thomas, from commander of the Technology Investigations Unit to director of Internal Affairs.
Additional changes in command of other VSP units will be announced as they occur.
More information about the Vermont State Police and its divisions, barracks, special teams and specific units is available online at https://vsp.vermont.gov. Photographs of these Vermont State Police leaders may be downloaded at this link.