Officer out 4-6 weeks in already undermanned police force
[Editor’s note. On August 1 the Times Argus, the daily newspaper published in Barre, reported that Joseph Edgar White, 41, pleaded no contest to a felony charge of failure to comply with the state sex offender registry (second offense), simple assault, and simple assault on a protected professional. He received a suspended sentence and four years’ probation.]
by Barre City Police Chief Braedon Vail
In the Times Argus article “Barre man settles multiple criminal cases with a plea agreement” dated August 1, 2025 it reads, “The state agreed to dismiss a felony count of embezzlement, a felony count of forgery, a felony count of first-degree aggravated domestic assault with a deadly weapon and a felony count of impeding a public officer, as well as misdemeanor counts of criminal threatening, a second misdemeanor count of simple assault on a protected professional and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest…The state also amended a felony count of first-degree aggravated domestic assault to a misdemeanor attempted simple assault by menace.”
Chief of Police, Barre City Police Department
This man’s defense attorney said in his conversations with him, “it’s clear that he’s taken full responsibility for these convictions and is committed to taking advantage of the support outlined in the plea agreement.” All these dismissals and amendments resulted in a sentence of 90 days to 3 years; all suspended except for 36 days to serve with credit for time served and be placed on probation for four years.
Vermont Statutes Annotated Title 28 § 200 “Purpose of probation” reads: It is the policy of this State that the purpose of probation is to rehabilitate offenders, reduce the risk that they will commit a subsequent offense, and protect the safety of the victim and the community. In simpler words, it is rehabilitative, not punitive.
Recently, Barre City officers responded to a problematic residence as information was learned that this aforementioned violent individual who had received such a sweet deal from the State (as he clearly took full accountability for his actions) had an active arrest warrant and was inside the residence. The warrant was issued, in part, due to four (4) counts of violation of probation with a bail of $750. When officers attempted to take him into custody, he fought the officers for several minutes. The officers appropriately followed the use of force continuum and utilized their training and tools at their disposal. Unfortunately, one officer subsequently suffered a broken hand and may require surgery. He will now be out of work for 4-6 weeks at a minimum, having an adverse impact on an already short-staffed department.
As a result of this incident, the second time he violently fought with officers within a few months by the way, this “rehabilitated gentleman” is now being charged with impeding public officers, assault on officers, and resisting arrest…more felonies…which hopefully aren’t reduced to misdemeanors and/or dismissed!
When offenders are not held accountable in the criminal justice system, and/or are released on conditions which they often violate without appropriate consequences, it lends to the theory that the if certainty of punishment is zero, then the associated fear is also zero. Inasmuch, assaults on police officers, or other members of the community, inevitably become more prevalent.
One of my officers recently describing this situation commented, “We are running out of police officers. Those who remain are overburdened, burnt out, injured, and have given far too much of themselves to a state, county, and community that has forgotten the meaning of justice and accountability; a state, county, and community that lets the minority rule over the majority.” Sadly, I agree.
It is time (past time) for the criminal justice system to hold offenders more accountable for their offenses.
The views and opinions expressed are my own and may not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Barre City Police Department or the City of Barre.
The author is Chief of Police of the Barre City Police Department.
