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5 Critical Facts About The Essex Police Department VT: Staffing, Budget, And The New City Of Essex Junction Split

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The Essex Police Department (EPD) in Vermont stands at a unique crossroads in 2025, navigating a complex political landscape while maintaining its core mission of public safety for one of Chittenden County's largest communities. Unlike many municipal forces, the EPD serves two distinct, yet interconnected, governmental entities: the Town of Essex and the newly established City of Essex Junction. This dual mandate, coupled with recent changes in local governance, makes the department's structure, budget, and community initiatives a focal point for residents seeking the latest in law enforcement and community policing.

As of late 2024 and early 2025, the department continues to operate under a shared services model, a structure that has been in place for years, even as the Village of Essex Junction formally separated to become an independent city. This article provides a deep dive into the EPD's current operations, key leadership, critical staffing levels, and the fresh details surrounding its commitment to community engagement and restorative justice in the greater Essex area.

Meet the Leadership: Chief Ron Hoague and EPD's Command Staff

The Essex Police Department is led by a dedicated command staff, with Chief Ron Hoague at the helm, whose leadership has been integral to the department's stability during a period of significant municipal transition. Understanding the Chief's background and the department's organizational structure is key to appreciating its operational philosophy.

Chief of Police Profile: Ron Hoague

  • Current Role: Chief of Police, Essex Police Department (EPD)
  • Appointment Date: July 2020
  • Previous Position: Prior to his promotion, Chief Hoague served as Captain within the Essex Police Department, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the community.
  • Key Expertise: Chief Hoague is a recognized expert in the field of Drug Recognition Experts (DRE) training. He has written for *Police Chief Magazine*, advocating for the benefits of officers attending DRE courses to enhance their ability to detect impaired drivers beyond alcohol.
  • Philosophy: His tenure has emphasized a focus on community-oriented policing, building on his experience to foster a strong relationship between officers and the residents of Essex Town and Essex Junction.

The EPD's headquarters is strategically located at 145 Maple Street, Essex Jct., VT 05452, serving as the central hub for all patrol, investigative, and administrative functions for both communities.

The EPD Staffing and Budget Reality: A Busy Vermont Department

The operational capacity of the Essex Police Department is directly tied to its staffing and budgetary resources, which are jointly funded by the Town of Essex and the new City of Essex Junction. The latest figures reveal a department that is highly active and operating with a significant commitment to public service.

Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Staffing Levels

For the Fiscal Year 2024 and extending into FY25, the EPD's budgeted staffing levels reflect a robust, full-service department.

  • Total Budgeted Staff: 38 Full-Time and 7 Part-Time positions.
  • Police Officers: 31 Full-Time and 3 Part-Time officers are budgeted to cover patrol and specialized roles.
  • Dispatch: 4 Full-Time and 3 Part-Time dispatchers manage emergency and non-emergency calls, a critical function for the region.

EPD officials have noted that the department is "busier than many Vermont departments that have full-time staff," underscoring the high volume of calls and incidents handled in the Chittenden County area.

Budgetary Structure and Funding

The department's funding is a shared responsibility, a unique arrangement that has persisted through the recent municipal changes. The Town of Essex's annual budget reports indicate that a significant portion of its non-tax revenue is derived from the City of Essex Junction's contribution to Police Services, highlighting the financial interdependence of the shared department.

This shared funding model ensures that police services remain consistent across the entire service area, a key factor in maintaining uniform public safety standards for all residents, whether they live in the Town or the new City.

The EPD and the City of Essex Junction Split: What Changed?

One of the most significant recent developments in the Essex area was the formal separation of the Village of Essex Junction from the Town of Essex, granting the Village status as an independent City. This change raised immediate questions about the future of shared services, particularly the police department.

A Shared Service That Endures

Despite the political separation, the Essex Police Department remains a single, unified entity serving both the Town of Essex and the new City of Essex Junction.

  • No Direct Operational Impact: The legal change of Essex Junction's status from an incorporated village to an incorporated city had no direct impact on the day-to-day operations or the structure of the shared police department.
  • Continuity of Service: The shared police department is a critical linkage between the two municipalities, ensuring that residents continue to receive consistent, high-quality law enforcement services without interruption.
  • Joint Accountability: The Police Community Advisory Board (PCAB) has adapted to this change, now serving to facilitate communication and provide oversight between the EPD and the communities of both the Town of Essex and the City of Essex Junction.

This commitment to a single, shared police force is a testament to the long-standing cooperation in the area, prioritizing public safety over political boundaries.

Community Policing and Restorative Justice Initiatives

The Essex Police Department is deeply invested in community policing, offering several programs designed to build trust and partnership with the residents it serves. Furthermore, the department actively participates in progressive justice initiatives unique to Vermont.

Key Community Programs

The EPD hosts several educational and engagement programs throughout the year, focusing on transparency and accessibility.

  • Citizen's Police Academy: A long-running program designed to educate citizens about the inner workings of the police department, fostering a stronger relationship between officers and the community.
  • Teen Police Academy: A specialized program held at the EPD headquarters (145 Maple Street), offering young people a hands-on look at the daily duties and physical requirements of police work.
  • National Night Out: An annual, nationwide community-building event that the EPD hosts to promote police-community partnerships and raise awareness about police programs.
  • Coffee Chat with the Chief: Regular, informal events where residents can meet with Chief Hoague and other officers to discuss local issues in a relaxed setting.

Focus on Restorative Justice

The EPD partners with the Essex Community Justice Center (ECJC) to utilize Restorative Justice practices. This approach focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime rather than solely on punishment, often involving dialogue between the victim, the offender, and the community. This partnership reflects a modern approach to law enforcement, aiming for outcomes that lead to greater community healing and reduced recidivism.

Public Safety and Crime Trends

While specific, up-to-the-minute crime statistics are best obtained from the Vermont Crime Information Center, the available data indicates the EPD's high level of activity. Over a five-year period between 2019 and 2024, the Essex area recorded a total of 455 violent crimes. The department's focus areas, including traffic safety, drug-related offenses, and property crime, are consistent with the challenges faced by growing communities in Chittenden County. The department's proactive measures, such as the successful prescription drug take-back day in April, which collected over 317 pounds of unused medication, are vital in addressing public health and safety concerns.

The Essex Police Department continues to be a central pillar of safety for both the Town of Essex and the newly formed City of Essex Junction. Its shared service model, dedicated leadership under Chief Ron Hoague, robust staffing, and commitment to community engagement and restorative justice position it as a modern, forward-thinking law enforcement agency in the state of Vermont.

5 Critical Facts About the Essex Police Department VT: Staffing, Budget, and the New City of Essex Junction Split
essex police department vt
essex police department vt

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