Chief of Police

Chief Thomas Hanley
(Serving since 1991)
thanley@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 - present           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.