Capitol Police chief steps down

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - The chief of Vermont’s Capitol Poice is stepping down for unspecified reasons.

The Statehouse sergeant at arms confirms to WCAX that Chief Matthew Romei is no longer employed by the Capitol Police. They declined to give specific details about his departure but in a statement said they say they do not generally terminate employees without first providing them with feedback on performance and a full and fair opportunity to improve.

“We also attempt to provide supports to employees to assist them, where appropriate. Only if we become convinced that the employee’s performance will not sufficiently improve, do we consider a separation from employment,” the statement reads.

Sergeant Dale Manning is now the interim officer-in-charge.

In a statement, Romei said he is incredibly proud of the department and officers developed over the past six years: “We have made major strides in improving security at the State House and Capitol Complex while balancing the openness expected by citizens visiting the Peoples’ House. We leveraged a half million dollars in Federal Homeland Security Funding over 3 years to bring us closer to an acceptable risk profile given the issues of the day. We handled innumerable threats and harassment complaints that would have been handed off to other already overburdened departments. And finally, we have changed the dynamic of inter-department relationships and made the Capitol Police effective and relevant. Of that, I am extremely proud.”

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