Jason Lepine was sworn in as Bennington’s new chief of police at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting, in front of his friends, family and former chief Bret Sullivan, who expressed his pride in Lepine’s advancement.
“I’m very proud to have you here at this moment, I know how hard you’ve worked to get here,” Sullivan told Lepine, adding that the community supported him becoming chief. “They know you have a good feel of the community. They know how you treat people, that’s the big key – just keep that going, the small-town mentality.”
Lepine has served in Bennington for six years, previously as sergeant.
“I just want to say thank you to the selectmen for this opportunity and the trust that you’ve given me to lead this agency,” he said.
Sullivan stepped down after 22 years in law enforcement. He had previously intended to retire in the spring, but stayed on to help the town with the leadership transition.
“It was time,” he said before the swearing-in.
Lepine also announced his intent to resign in the spring when the Select Board was considering regionalizing the department, but stayed on after reaching an agreement with the board.
“It’s a good night for Jay, big night,” Sullivan said during the ceremony. “He’s worked a long, hard time in his career to get here and he’s done very well doing that.”
Lepine was sworn in by Select Board Chair James Cleary, and his wife, Angela Lepine, pinned on his new badge. He thanked Sullivan for being a good leader and a good friend, and thanked the board again for naming him to lead “an agency t hat I love very much in a town I love very much.”