VCJTC Staff

Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council
STAFF

R.J. Elrick, 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

David McMullen, Training Coordinator - Homeland Security & Counter Terrorism

SSGT John Herriman, (VTNG), Youth Services Coordinator

Ken Hawkins, Training & Curriculum Development Coordinator

Lynn James, Administrative Services Coordinator I

Gail Billings, Financial Specialist II

Denise Anderson, Site Coordinator

Click here to visit the Vermont State Police Office of Professional Development

R. J. Elrick – Executive Director

R. J. returned to the staff as the Executive Director in 2004. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (162^nd Session), the 32^nd Basic Class at the VCJTC, and received his BS degree in Business Management from the College of St. Joseph in Rutland.

From 1996 to 2004, he served as the Sheriff of Rutland County. During this time, he served as a Governor's appointment to the Criminal Justice Training Council (representing Vermont Sheriffs), the State Emergency Response Commission, and the Governor's Snowmobile Council. In addition, he is past president of the Vermont Sheriffs' Association, the Vermont Chapter of FBI National Academy Associates, and the Vermont Police Association.

From 1988 to 1996, he was employed by the VCJTC and was involved in the coordination and delivery of training at both the basic and in-service levels. He held the positions of Training Instructor, Training Coordinator, and Assistant Director. Prior to employment at the Police Academy, he was employed by the Rutland City Police Department from 1980-1988, serving in positions of Dispatcher through Sergeant.

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.

Dave joined the Academy in May of 2005 as the Training Coordinator for Homeland Security and Counter–Terrorism. Dave received his BA in Psychology from the College of St. Joseph in Rutland. Before joining the Academy he was employed by the Vermont Department of Corrections for 16 years. During that time Dave worked in several positions including as a Correctional Officer, Probation Officer, and Trainer as well as a Security and Operations Supervisor. Dave is also a part time trainer for High 5 Adventure working as a facilitator on challenge courses. He is also employed by the Vergennes Police Department as a part-time Officer.

Dave lives in Cornwall with his wife Jean and their two children Makenzie and Casey.

Ken started working as a part-time police officer for the Middlebury Police Department in 2000, before becoming a full-time officer in 2001. While there, he was certified as a Firearms Instructor and Field Training Officer, and certified in At-Scene Traffic Crash Investigation and Basic Data Recovery & Analysis. Ken also served as the department’s TAC, NW3C contact and network administrator. Ken spent 4 years with the US Navy (1989-1991), as a Cryptologist and most recently as a member of the VT Air National Guard as a Security Forces member. He currently resides in Vergennes with his wife Rachel and their daughter Olivia.

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.

Denise joined the staff in November 2008 as the site coordinator. From 2000-2008, Denise was employed by the Vermont Department of Health as an Outreach Specialist. She played a key role in WIC clinics, documenting height and weight measurements and testing for lead and hemoglobin in women and children. During her time at VDH she had a variety of roles including child passenger safety, homeland security, and global immunization registry to name a few.

Denise coordinates the scheduling for our facility, is the go-to person for maintenance requests, and provides the weekly program and meals projections.