Award recognizes the graduating law enforcement officer with the highest score in the Police Academy’s Domestic Violence Course
Vermont Business Magazine The Attorney General’s Office today announced the first recipient of the Vermont Attorney General’s Award for Academic Excellence in Domestic Violence Response at the Vermont Police Academy Graduation in Pittsford, Vermont. Trooper Christopher Santic of the Vermont State Police earned the award for having achieved the highest score in the Police Academy’s Domestic Violence course.
“Congratulations to Trooper Santic on being the very first recipient awarded the newly established Vermont Attorney General’s Award for Academic Excellence in Domestic Violence Response!” said Attorney General Charity Clark. “I thank Trooper Santic for demonstrating a commitment to excellence in responding to domestic violence calls. To make progress on addressing domestic violence, we need skilled and compassionate leaders in law enforcement like Trooper Santic.”
This honor is given in acknowledgement that domestic violence calls are among the most complex, dangerous, and emotionally charged matters to which an officer responds. The award recognizes that responding to the needs of those experiencing domestic violence with care and skill is critical to uphold law enforcement’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.
Attorney General Clark has worked to strengthen her office’s relationship with Vermont law enforcement, attending nearly every graduation ceremony at the Vermont Police Academy since being sworn in as Attorney General in January 2023, and meeting with police chiefs across the state. This award, which will be granted at each Vermont Police Academy graduation moving forward, symbolizes the Attorney General’s Office’s support for new officers as they begin working to keep Vermont communities safe, and the need for close collaboration between the AGO and law enforcement agencies on continuous improvement to reduce domestic violence fatalities.
The Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission, housed in the Attorney General’s Office, conducts an annual accounting of all domestic violence fatalities in Vermont and makes recommendations to the Legislature to prevent future fatalities. Attorney General Clark has made addressing domestic violence a priority of her tenure as Attorney General by championing the recommendations of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission and partnering with the Legislature to implement virtually all of the recommendations of the Commission. These recommendations have resulted in the expansion of the Commission to include more law enforcement personnel and victims’ advocates and broadened the scope of the Commission to include both fatalities and near-fatalities in their review process, enabling them to make recommendations to avoid both death and serious harm as a result of domestic violence incidents. In addition, Attorney General Clark worked with community partners including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement agencies, and libraries to promote safe storage of firearms.
There are many resources available for people experiencing domestic violence, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline. You can use their safety planning tip sheet or call 800-799-SAFE (7233). Additionally, the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence has a statewide hotline for domestic violence that can be reached at 800-228-7395. The Network’s fifteen member programs provide services to survivors in all fourteen counties in Vermont. For an interactive map to help you locate a local program near you, visit https://vtnetwork.org/get-help/.
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