Chris Outten at his desk in the police station. Photo by Bill Croney, The Northfield News Northfield’s Acting Police Chief Chris Outten is no stranger to the community. For the past year and a half he has served in the Northfield Police Department at the rank of sergeant. When Chief Shaw resigned earlier this month Sgt. Outtten was named Acting Chief.

Sergeant Outten brings a lot of police experience to his new appointment. He has been involved in police work for eighteen years and served in the U.S. Navy submarine service for three years prior to becoming a policeman. The majority of his police work has been out of state. “Mostly in Maryland. It was a mix of large cities and small towns and in several specialized units. I spent three years in narcotics then worked in the Criminal Investigation Division and also was involved in warrant fugitive work,” Acting Chief Outten said.

He Graduated from the Maryland Police academy in 1992 and had to undergo training at the Vermont Police Academy before he could be certified in the Green Mountain State. He discovered that all states do not have the same laws when it comes to the authority of the police.

“The biggest difference is that the Vermont constitution is very prohibitive on what police can do during investigations and in dealing with suspects,” the Acting Chief said.

He said that he and his wife came to Vermont for the quality of life. “ We had a connection to the state because my wife has family in Barre and Rutland. We have two children, ages eight and ten and we thought it would be a great place to raise kids. The Acting Chief and his family currently reside in Williston.

While he is considering the full-time Chief position but is (at the time of this interview) he is currently undecided on applying, Acting Chief Outten has some definite views in what qualities he would like to see in the new Chief.

“I would like to see someone who is laid back and understands that this is a small town police department. Someone who will support his or her officers here,” he said.

Acting Chief Outten has some ideas on what he would like to do within the department should he apply for and be selected as the new Chief.

“We are nowhere near the National average of 2.5 officers per 1000 residents,” he said. “ I would like to increase manpower. Add an officer or two. I pay taxes like everybody else and no one wants more taxes but we are presently a five- man department using part timers to fill in schedules. I’d like to see an officer or two added for officer safety issues. I don’t want to see an officer injured because of money.

It relates to safety issues relating to fatigue or scheduling. The equipment in this department is great. Chief Shaw did a great job in equipping the officers.”

The Acting Chief said he has enjoyed his time in Northfield. “I like the town. I’ve met a lot of nice people here. Vermont has some cultural differences from Maryland but Vermont has some good things to offer,” Acting Chief Outten said.