Chief of Police
Chief Jason Covey
(Serving since 2000)
jcovey@middleburypolice.org
The Chief of Police develops and coordinates the administrative responsibilities to support the
accomplishment of the department mission and provides leadership in public safety for the
community at-large. Until the 1960's the job of the police chief was a part-time position, most
worked their duties in the evening and held a regular full-time job during the day. Police service was
confined to the village area of Middlebury at that time. Prior to the 1900's, the closest thing to a
police department present in the town was a local night watch.
A history of Middlebury Police Chiefs:
c. 1900 - c. 1910 Clay Dickeson Grandfather of Richard Nailor of the former Nailor's
Antiques.
c. 1910 - c. 1917 George Chaffee Maternal grandfather of George Foster of Foster
Brothers Farm (died 2005).
c. 1917 - c. 1937 Charles Shaw Worked as a meatcutter at Gomes Market while serving
as the Chief of Police. Killed in an accident while
driving a truck delivering meat in Addison at age 48 in
1937.
1937 - 1937 Charles Penny Served as acting or interim Chief.
1937 - 1944 Ralph Kelton Resigned in 1944.
1944 - 1969 Don Williamson Ran a bowling alley and antique business while serving
as police chief. Came from Middlebury Dept. of Public
Works to serve as Chief, never worked as a patrol
officer (died 1995).
1969 - 1979 Robert Van Ness Hired as a patrol officer in 1967, appointed Chief after
retirement of Williamson.
1979 - 1979 James B. Coons Lieutenant with the Police Department -
administered the department during the five
month vacancy between Van Ness and Watson.
1979 - 1990 Albert Watson Served as a police officer and Sergeant with the
Yarmouth, MA Police Dept. prior to appointment.
1990 - 1991 Kerry Kirkpatrick Captain with the police department - administered
the department between Watson and Hanley.
1991 - 2023 Thomas Hanley Served as a Patrol Officer, Detective and Detective
Sergeant with the Wallingford, CT Police Dept. from
1974-1991, prior to appointment as Chief of MPD.
2023- Current Jason Covey Served as a Patrol Officer, and Sergeant with the Middlebury
Police Department from 2000-2023, prior to appointment as
Chief of MPD.