NEW HAVEN — Michael Manley’s eventful career with the Vermont State Police is taking yet another twist. Lieutenant Manley, 38, is stepping down as commander of the VSP’s New Haven barracks in order to step up as a newly promoted captain who will oversee the agency’s New Haven, Rutland, Shaftsbury, Royalton and Westminster barracks.
Manley — who took the reins of the New Haven barracks in October of 2013 — will succeed Capt. Rick Hopkins as the VSP’s “Southern Troop Commander.” Hopkins in turn is replacing Major Walt Goodell, who is retiring this fall as commander of the VSP’s Field Force Division.
Replacing Manley as leader of the New Haven barracks will be Lt. Chuck Cacciatore, who currently heads up the VSP’s Rutland barracks. The Addison Independent has reached out to Cacciatore, a longtime member of the force, for an interview to share his background in law enforcement and describe his leadership style. State police are now searching for a new commander for the Rutland barracks, according to Manley.
The New Haven barracks is headquarters to an Addison County VSP contingent that, when fully staffed, includes 12 troopers, three sergeants and two administrative support officials. Manley confirmed his main office will remain in New Haven, from which he will make regular visits to the other barracks under his command.
“I literally just had to walk my stuff to another office on the building,” Manley said. “I’m looking forward to (my new role).”
Manley believes Cacciatore will be a great fit as leader of the Addison County’s VSP force.
“He’s been on the job a long time and comes with a vast range of experience,” Manley said. “He will do well here.”
Manley successfully applied for the Southern Troop Commander vacancy. It is his latest move in what has been a rapid ascent through the ranks of the VSP.
Manley is a native of the Utica, N.Y. area. He joined the VSP in 2000, soon after graduating from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa.
He began his career as a trooper at the Middlesex barracks. He transferred to the VSP’s Bradford Barracks in 2005, earning the rank of sergeant in 2008. Manley was assigned to the state police’s arson division as a detective in 2011, serving in that capacity almost two years. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2013, the same year he took the helm of the VSP’s New Haven barracks on Oct. 20.
Until recently, Manley also served as commander of the VSP’s Tactical Services Unit. It’s a 19-person unit through which the VSP assists troopers and other law enforcement agencies at major crime incidents throughout the state. He stepped down from that position earlier this year in order to spend more time with his family.
Manley served a total of 14 years on the Tactical Services Unit, which features specially trained troopers called upon to deal with such incidents as armed barricaded suspects, suicidal persons, hostage situations, high-risk warrant service, manhunts, active shooter cases and VIP security.
“There is a shelf life to dong that kind of work and the demands that go along with it,” he stated in an earlier email announcing his departure from the unit and its physical and emotional rigors. Members of the tactical unit and New Haven barracks had to cope with loss last year of Addison County Trooper Kyle Young, who died from heat stroke during a Sept. 17, 2015 training exercise at the VSP’s Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho. Young was participating in tryouts for the team.
While he is pleased to be moving into his new job, Manley will look back fondly on his role as barracks commander.
“It’s been a very enjoyable experience,” Manley said. “I have no regrets about doing the job here.”
Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].