Springfield Vermont Police Department Progress Under Chief Jeff Burnham

Since taking over as Chief of Police in 2022, Jeff Burnham has led a department-wide transformation focused on staffing, community engagement, and addressing root causes of crime.

Crime Reduction

Since 2022, Springfield, Vermont has experienced a 28% drop in reported offenses—including drug, property, and public order crimes. This significant decline reflects the police department’s proactive, accountable approach to community safety.

Staffing Rebuilt

  • When Chief Burnham arrived, the department was down ten officers.
  • Today, the department is nearly fully staffed, with only one vacancy remaining — a major milestone for stability and operational readiness.
  • Notably, the department has recently hired two women, helping address the ongoing national need for greater gender diversity in policing.
Springfield Police

Community Policing

  • The department has increased its presence in the community, focusing on outreach and visibility.
  • Officers are responding to high-volume call areas for service, helping build trust and reduce repeated incidents.

Addressing Root Causes Through “Project Action”

  • Springfield PD is actively analyzing the intersection of public health and public safety through a lens called Project Action.
  • This includes tackling the social determinants of crime — such as unemployment, housing insecurity, substance use, literacy, and poverty — in partnership with other agencies.
  • The department also participates in Project Action’s targeted outreach, which brings a mobile healthcare unit to high-risk, high-need locations to offer on-site access to social services — bridging critical gaps between enforcement and care.

Recovery-Oriented Approach to Drug Use

  • The department now includes a Recovery Coach embedded within the PD, focused on outreach and reengagement.
  • A Mental Health Liaison, in partnership with HCRS, helps divert individuals into treatment and care rather than the justice system.

Recharged Diversion Model

  • Springfield PD has reinvigorated its pre-court diversion efforts, engaging individuals early to change behavior and promote accountability.
  • These programs encourage people to understand the impact of their actions and offer support in areas like food insecurity-related offenses (e.g., shoplifting).

Partnership with Greater Falls Community Justice Center

  • The department is now working closely with Polly Mahoney from the Greater Falls Community Justice Center to strengthen restorative justice programming.

Looking Ahead

What’s happening in Springfield isn’t just about reducing crime—it’s about redefining how a small-town police department can lead with compassion, data, and accountability. Under Chief Burnham’s leadership, the Springfield Police Department is showing what’s possible when public safety becomes truly community-centered. The progress is real—and the momentum is just beginning.

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