VCJTC Staff

Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council
STAFF

Colonel James W. Baker (Ret.), Executive Director

June F. Kelly, Assistant Director

John A. Gonyea, Senior Training & Curriculum Development Coordinator

T.J. Anderson, Training & Curriculum Development Coordinator

Cindy Taylor-Patch, Training & Curriculum Development Coordinator

VACANT - Training & Curriculum Development Coordinator

Bob Ryan, Canine Training & Curriculum Development Coordinator

VACANT, Training Coordinator - Homeland Security & Counter Terrorism

SSGT John Herriman, (VTNG), Youth Services Coordinator

VACANT, Training & Curriculum Development Coordinator

Lynn James, Administrative Services Coordinator I

Gail Billings, Financial Specialist II

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Colonel Baker served with the State Police for over 30 years. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed to the position of Director of the Vermont State Police on September 1, 2006 by Public Safety Commissioner Kerry L. Sleeper.

He received a B.S. in Criminal Justice Management from Southern Vermont College and is a graduate of the 188^th session of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia.

Colonel Baker has been an Adjunct Professor at the Vermont Police Academy, Southern Vermont College and St. Petersburg College in Florida.

He has an extensive background in all aspects of law enforcement. He served as a Trooper at the Shaftsbury Barracks; Detective Trooper at the Bennington County State’s Attorneys Office; Sergeant, Patrol Commander, at the Rutland and Shaftsbury Barracks; the Field Supervisor of the Southern Vermont Drug Task Force; Lieutenant, Station Commander, at the Brattleboro and Shaftsbury Barracks; Captain, Troop Commander, of C Troop. He served as the Assistant Field Force Commander where he was in command of all special teams operations as well as oversight of emergency communications. He was promoted to the rank of Major in December 2004 and served as the Field Force Commander. In addition to his regular duties, Colonel Baker also served as the Search and Rescue Team Leader for many years.

Colonel Baker is the recipient of multiple Commissioner’s and Division Commander’s Awards. He has been recognized by Southern Vermont College as the Distinguished Alumnus. He has also received recognition from the New England Narcotics Enforcement Officers’ Association, Vermont Chief of Police Association, Vermont Sheriff’s Association, Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Office and United State’s Attorney’s Office.

Colonel Baker served as the Chair of North Atlantic Division of the IACP State and Provincial, as the Chair of New England HIDTA and a member of the Board of Directors of New England State Police Information Network.

On January 14, 2010 Colonel Baker was appointed as the Interim Executive Director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council. In that role he has daily oversight of basic training, part time training, in service training and certification of police officers in Vermont.

The Colonel is originally from Hoosick Falls, New York and currently resides in Arlington with his wife, Kim. He has three grown children and six grandchildren.

June Kelly was appointed in May 2000 as the new Assistant Director to the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council. June has been involved in policing and police training for over 29 years in Vermont and brings over 19 years of supervisory experience. Prior to her current position, she served 20 years as a certified full-time law enforcement officer as a police officer, deputy sheriff and sergeant. She started her career as a police officer in 1980, and was a graduate of the 29th Basic Class for Police Professionals.

While working full-time in policing, June completed an Associates in Applied Science Degree from the Community College of the Air Force, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from Trinity College. She is currently working on a Masters Degree in Education at St. Michael's College. June is a graduate of the FBI National Academy - 172nd Session. In 2005, she retired from the Vermont Air National Guard 158th Fighter Wing at the rank of Master Sergeant with over 20 years of service.

John Gonyea came to the academy in September of 1998. From 1999-2002 he coordinated a review and update to the entire full-time Basic Training program. This program was implemented in the 73rd Basic Class which started on 3 Feb 2002. He currently holds certifications in the Use of Force, Patrol Procedures, Firearms, Report Writing and Hate Crime Investigation. A member of IALEFI (International Association of Firearms Instructors) and ASLET (American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers) he currently oversees the Academy firearms programs. In 2005 he was promoted to Senior Training Coordinator with responsibilities to mentor the training staff, as well as oversee the academy training curriculums, college accreditation and instructor development.

John started his policing career with the University of Vermont Police Services in Aug 1987. He served with UVM as a Patrol Officer and was their first Firearms Instructor. In Aug 1989 he moved to the Essex Police Department where he served with distinction for nine years after graduation from the 53rd Basic Class. In addition to his normal patrol duties he also served as the Liquor Liaison Officer, and as one of four department firearms instructors. During the last three years of his tenure, he also coordinated the implementation of both a town-wide computer network as well as developed the Town of Essex web page.

John resides in Essex with his wife Jan and five children; Jessica, Steven, Devan, Loren and Makayla. He enjoys his time away from work to spend time with his wife and children. His hobbies include Christian reading, computer games, and weightlifting.

TJ Anderson joined the VT Police Academy in March of 2000 as the Family Violence Training Coordinator. Previous to working at the Police Academy, TJ worked for nearly ten years as a full-time certified police officer for Rutland City Police Department. After working a number of years as a midnight shift uniformed patrol officer, in October 1994 she was selected to be the department's first Child Abuse and Family Violence Investigator. This was a position she held until she left the department. While in this position, she investigated many family related criminal cases, to include, child sexual abuse, violations of court orders and stalking. She also conducted follow-up investigations on domestic assault arrests made by uniform patrol. TJ is certified by the VCJTC to train law enforcement officers on how to properly respond to domestic violence incidents and has trained officers statewide. She has publicly spoken on the subject of domestic violence statewide, in Russia and in Canada. She has also been an adjunct professor with CCV teaching Family Violence. TJ lives with her two children, a dog, two cats and two hamsters in Rutland, Vermont in their old Victorian home.

Cindy Taylor-Patch joined the Academy staff in September 2002. Cindy has a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology with emphasis on police psychology, criminal behavior, research & statistics. Prior to coming to the Academy she worked in the mental health field, primarily as a Crisis Clinician working with individuals who were experiencing suicidal thoughts, depression, psychosis, in need of detox from drugs or alcohol, or dealing with a variety of other issues. Her main interests are police trauma & suicide, mental health, disabilities, and alcohol & drug-related training. She has taught many officers, other first responders and community professionals around the state about the dangers of Methamphetamine and is on the Vermont Meth Task Force. Cindy is also an advisor to the Vermont State Police - Hostage Negotiations Unit.

Bob Ryan joined the staff in February 2005 as the canine training coordinator. Bob worked for the Town of Barre Police Department as a full time officer for five years after working approx. five years for them as a part time officer. He then worked for the City of Barre Police Department for over 19 years. The majority of those years were spent as the second shift sergeant. He still continues to work part time as a patrol officer. Bob has been a canine handler since 1982. He is currently working with his forth canine, Jake.

Bob enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and riding motorcycles.

Bob lives in Barre with his wife Patty, daughter Anna, son Robert, canine Jake and at last count five cats. They also share their backyard with deer, turkeys and occasionally a black bear.

Lynn joined the Academy staff in February 2001 as the Administrative Assistant and in 2006 was promoted to Administrative Services Coordinator. She previously worked for the VT Dept. of Employment and Training for 9 ½ years as an employment and training specialist. Before working for DET, she was an art teacher at Orwell Village School. She is a graduate from Castleton State College with a Liberal Arts Degree. She and her husband live in Orwell. Her hobbies include watercolor painting, quilting, gardening.

Gail joined the Academy staff in January 2005 as the Program Services Clerk and in 2006 was promoted to Financial Specialist II. She previously worked in elementary schools while completing her Associate of Science Degree in Accounting through the Community College of Vermont. Gail lives in Rutland and enjoys spending time with her family.