By Keep Vermont Safe & Michael Bielawski,
On February 19, at Vermont’s annual Recovery Day, Montpelier Police Department Sergeant Ben Michaud received the inaugural Dr. Mark Depman CIT Award.
The award honors CIT-trained professionals who enhance crisis intervention for individuals facing substance use and mental health challenges with care and compassion.
Sergeant Michaud's dedication to crisis intervention and peer support reflects the award's values. In his acceptance speech, he emphasized the importance of empathy and compassion in law enforcement.
Hartford to swear in new police chief Connie Kelley
A swearing-in ceremony for new Hartford Police Chief Connie Kelley is scheduled for Monday, March 3.
Hartford announced on February 11 that Lt. Commander Constance “Connie” Kelley would lead the department, succeeding Chief Greg Sheldon, who is stepping down on February 28.
Kelley, who has served the Hartford Police Department for 26 years, expressed her honor and eagerness to lead the agency going forward.
Burlington Police release January “Chief’s Report”
The Burlington Police Department released its monthly Chief’s Report to the Police Commission, highlighting several events and updates.
January 9: National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day was celebrated with cookies from the Queen City Police Foundation.
January 30: The BPD held a Swearing-In Ceremony for new and promoted staff, including a new police recruit at the Vermont Police Academy.
Community Academy: The six-week program (January 8–February 12) allowed community members to learn about patrol, detective work, use of force, and more.
The full report is available here.
Brattleboro woman arrested for fentanyl and cocaine sales
On January 16, 2025, Vermont State Police and Brattleboro Police arrested Denise M. Madeja, 51, of Brattleboro, for selling fentanyl and cocaine.
The arrest followed a months-long investigation by the Vermont Drug Task Force, which used confidential informants to purchase drugs from Madeja on Canal St. in Brattleboro.
Madeja was processed and released on a citation to appear in Windham County Superior Court on March 25.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at (802) 722-4600 or submit a tip anonymously at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
Other miscellaneous crime from around Vermont
A car stopped in Derby in which the driver showed signs of impairment and tested positive for signs of cocaine and fentanyl. This occurred when state police in Derby responded to a report regarding a suspicious vehicle at the Derby dog park on 4H Road.
The report states, “Upon arrival, one of the occupants of the vehicle was recognized as Mitchell, known to troopers to be the subject of a $500 bail failure to appear warrant in Essex County for an original charge of larceny. Mitchell was placed into custody and while removing him from the vehicle, indicators of narcotics activity were observed.”
It then states, “A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a substance that tested positive for both cocaine and fentanyl.”
Over in Derby, police were looking for speeders and they found one.
The report says, “A vehicle was observed traveling at 81 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. Troopers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the operator as Jake LeBlanc of Newport, VT.”
Finally, A customer’s “vehicle’s fuel tank had a hole drilled” into it according to an investigation at the Wells River Chevrolet Dealership in Newbury.
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