Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Killington hires new police officer

By Josh O’Gorman
STAFF WRITER | January 08,2014
Rutland Herald
 
KILLINGTON — The town has hired a new police officer to replace one who resigned in complaint.

Monday was the first day on the job for James Riehl, the newest addition to the Killington Police Department. Riehl, who was hired as a part-time officer, will assist and serve under Police Chief Whit Montgomery, who touted Riehl’s strengths Tuesday.

“I think he’s the right man for the job,” Montgomery said. “He’s got experience on the road and also in the classroom.”

In terms of the classroom, the 30-year-old Riehl is a 2005 graduate of Castleton State College, where he studied business. He is certified as a full-time police officer.

Riehl is also an instructor, teaching women’s self defense, motorcycle safety and nonlethal use of force.

Riehl is currently a corporal with the Fair Haven Police Department. He has also been a deputy with the Rutland County Sheriff’s Department, an officer with the St. Albans Police Department and an emergency dispatcher for Vermont State Police.

Riehl will work approximately 10 hours, which — with Montgomery — will result in approximately 40 hours of coverage a week by Killington police.

In addition to Killington, Riehl will continue to work for Fair Haven. His salary with Killington is $18.50 an hour.

Riehl replaces Robert Giolito, who was on the job for less than two months. He was hired Sept. 17 and resigned Nov. 14.

“It didn’t meet my professional standards,” Giolito said Tuesday, when asked to explain his short time with the police department. “The reason I left is, the town did not provide the tools I needed to do my job.”

Giolito pointed to an incident in which the brakes in his town-issued vehicle failed while he was engaged in a pursuit. Giolito didn’t crash, he said, but came to a slow stop and ended up arresting the motorist for driving with a suspended license and attempting to elude police.

In a written statement, Town Manager Seth Webb responded to Giolito’s complaint.

“We disagree with Mr. Giolito’s assessment,” Webb wrote. “He was issued proper equipment that meets current standards and passed required inspections.”

Looking to the future, Montgomery’s proposed police budget — part of the budget voters will see on Town Meeting Day in March — includes money to hire a second part-time officer.

josh.ogorman @rutlandherald.com

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