[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 3546-3547]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       150TH ANNIVERSARY OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, next week I will join many Vermonters to 
celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Burlington Police Department, 
which was established in early 1865 with the appointment of the city's 
first constable, Luman A. Drew. For the sake of historical perspective: 
Mr. Drew was chosen for this high post after his service in the pursuit 
and capture of a group of Confederate cavalrymen who had raided nearby 
St. Albans, robbing its banks and burning its buildings before fleeing 
toward Canada.
  For many months now, Burlington Detective Jeffrey Beerworth has been 
compiling that bit of history and other stories in his research of the 
department's history, and his vignettes are both entertaining and 
informative.

[[Page 3547]]

They are particularly interesting to me, as I reflect on my work as a 
prosecutor with law enforcement agencies in Burlington and other 
communities as State's attorney for Chittenden County earlier in my 
career. Most importantly, they show us how the role of law enforcement 
officers has evolved over the years. I imagine that First Constable 
Drew could not have foreseen police wearing body cameras in 2015, nor 
would he recognize the challenges that heroin and other drugs pose to 
our society. Back in his day, First Constable Drew's main concerns were 
horse theft and public drunkenness.
  A visit to the Burlington Police Department website today offers a 
glimpse of the many investigative units, programs and community 
outreach services that fall under today's rubric of police work. I am 
proud of the efforts of Police Chief Michael Schirling and his team in 
connecting one-on-one with the residents of Burlington. Community 
policing is alive and well in Vermont's largest city, and other 
departments around the country could learn much from what Burlington 
has done. The Junior Community Police Academy creates relationships 
among police officers and the city's youths, who someday may become 
officers themselves. In partnering with the Howard Center, officers 
work with the Street Outreach Team to support those with psychiatric 
and substance abuse issues, or those who cope with homelessness or 
other behavioral challenges. These cases traditionally account for a 
large percentage of police calls, yet this innovative program allows 
for trained professionals to address social service needs and allow 
police officers to focus on public safety.
  The Daily Activity Log of the Burlington Police Department offers a 
glimpse of the range and volume of calls to which today's officers must 
respond. In a recent 2-day period, 223 records were logged, ranging 
from the minor to the tragic. Of course, there are many that are 
recorded simply as ``traffic stops,'' but we know that every traffic 
stop has the potential for the unknown. That is why I have worked hard 
over many years to support these officers by providing Federal funds 
for bulletproof vests. Officers need this protection and deserve 
nothing less.
  Chief Schirling has laid out a series of upcoming events to mark the 
department's 150 years of service. These will include a community 
barbecue and open house, along with his monthly ``Coffees with the 
Chief.'' This is all in keeping with his vision of community policing, 
and this celebration will be shared by all who benefit from the work of 
a highly professional and dedicated police force.
  On this historic occasion, I thank Chief Schirling and the entire 
Burlington Police Department for their continued service and 
dedication, upholding a long and valued tradition. The Queen City is 
most fortunate for their service.

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