Police Chief Robinson To Stay In Norwich; Says Thanks

from the listserv  October 7, 2014

To the residents of Norwich:

I would like to convey my sincere thanks to you for all your recent support.   It was just what I needed but never expected! I am truly touched by your letters, e-mails, phone calls and those that stopped in to see me.  Thank you again for being so supportive.  

It appears that the Thetford Police Chief position has been offered to one of the other candidates, although disappointing, I am very relieved that I will not have to make an extremely difficult if not impossible decision to leave Norwich.   It has been an honor to be part of such a special community, and will be an honor to continue as your police chief.

Thank You

Doug

Chief Douglas A. Robinson

Norwich Police Department

lists.valley.net/lists/arc/norwich/2014-10/msg00193.html

Police Chief Situation

from the listserv

Over the past days there have been several posts on the Listserve regarding the possible departure of our Norwich Police Chief, Doug Robinson. I am writing to respond as an individual member of the Selectboard.  Except as listed below, I haven’t discussed this with any member of the Selectboard or our town’s government.

Like many of you I was concerned to hear that Chief Robinson might be leaving.  I have know him since his time as a School Resource Officer in Hartford, and I believe that he is an outstanding match for the Chief of Police position in Norwich. 

After Doug’s announcement about the possibility of his leaving, I have had conversations with him and with Neil Fulton, our Town Manager. Based on these I am sure that the situation is exactly as has been reported; Chief Robinson has been exploring an employment possibility, and hasn’t decided what will happen if indeed the possibility becomes an actual job offer.  I am highly confident there aren’t any official town reasons leading to this situation.

As far as Norwich residents trying to influence the situation, the Norwich Selectboard and Town Manager do not have any role in its outcome. All anyone can do is to convey their appreciation to Doug for his efforts for our town.  If indeed events keep him here, great!  If indeed he moves on, then I for one am deeply grateful for his 10 years of outstanding service to Norwich.

This is a good moment for all of us to reflect on and appreciate the efforts that so many people- both employees and citizens -contribute to make Norwich a great community.

-- 

Christopher Ashley

Norwich Selectboard

Please note that any response or reply to this electronic message may be

subject to disclosure as a public record under the Vermont Public

Records Act.

 

 

Town Manager -- Police Chief

If you believe the September 24 story in the Valley News, then one must wonder about the seemingly nonchalance of Norwich Town Manager Fulton about Police Chief Robinson looking to Thetford for a new job.

The Valley News reports that the Town Manager did not know that Robinson was a candidate, until Fulton read about it on the Thetford listserv.  That seems strange, since in June, Town Manager Fulton negotiated the contract with Thetford for Chief Robinson to act as interim chief.  No courtesy call to Fulton by Robinson or by Thetford?  Perhaps next time we lend out our officials, the agreement should say no poaching.  Stranger still, if the story is accurate, Fulton and Robinson have “not discussed his potential departure.” Why?

Although the Town Manager said the Chief “does a great job,” the Town Manager was not quoted as saying he wants the Chief to stay. Maybe that was an oversight by the Valley News or it goes without saying.  The article reports that Fulton has no worries about “filling the position because of Norwich’s competitive salary.” On this point, Fulton is wrong.  Changing police chiefs will be a distraction and disruption to the community, even with a perfect hire.   Money is not keeping Robinson, since the Thetford job pays less.  

Godspeed to Chief Robinson, whether he stays in Norwich or moves to Thetford. The Thetford Selectboard meets Monday evening.

The Valley News story is at http://www.vnews.com/news/townbytown/thetford/13681516-95/interim-chief-is-finalist-in-thetford-norwich-polices-robinson-is-one-of-three-in



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