Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Criminal Justice Council announced today that they held a warned, public meeting regarding the potential actions of the Council on two former Vermont certified law enforcement officers.
The first stipulated agreement involved Stephen Bunnell, a former officer of the Caledonia County Sherriff’s Department. The agreement identified that Bunnell pleaded guilty to one count of Disturbing the Peace by Electronic Means, and one count of Prohibited Conduct. The guilty pleas were made on March 7, 2022 in Vermont Superior Court, Caledonia Unit, Criminal Division.
The agreement ordered that Bunnell’s certification as a law enforcement officer be permanently revoked, with no option of re-certification, with an effective date of January 16, 2024. The Council heard the evidence contained in the stipulated agreement and by unanimous vote, voted to accept the agreement. The original Notice of Hearing for this agreement can be found here: Bunnell NOH.pdf (vermont.gov). The agreed upon Stipulated agreement can be found here: bunnel Stip _20240221.pdf (vermont.gov).
The second stipulated agreement involved Lance Martel, a former officer of the Essex Police Department. The agreement identified that an internal affairs investigation by the Essex Police Department was forwarded to the Vermont Criminal Justice Council Professional Regulation Subcommittee for review. By vote on May 4, 2023 the Professional Regulation Subcommittee determined that Martel had committed a Category A conduct violation. The investigation concluded that Martel had committed an act of Voyeurism, which is a Category A conduct violation that the Council can take action against as a first offense.
The stipulated agreement ordered that Martel’s certification as a law enforcement officer is revoked. Martel may apply for a re-certification after a period of seven years. An application for recertification would require the successful completion of a Council basic training program, and any additional training required by the Council. The agreement does not provide a right or guarantee to future re-certification. The agreement also provides the Council to have full discretion to determine Martel’s potential future application for law enforcement certification.
The Council heard the evidence contained in the stipulated agreement and by unanimous vote, voted to accept the agreement. The original Notice of Hearing for this agreement can be found here: NOH_2020GNU Martel final rev_7.20.23.pdf (vermont.gov). The agreed upon Stipulated Agreement can be found here: Martel Stip_20240221.pdf (vermont.gov).
Source: February 21, 2024. The Vermont Criminal Justice Counci
