A changing of the guard: L'Esperance new top cop
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Col. Thomas L'Esperance has his daughters Hannah, 14, left, and Rachel, 17, pin badge and rank insignia to his uniform Monday in Montpelier. STEFAN HARD/TIMES ARGUS |
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By Thatcher Moats Times Argus Staff - Published: June 30, 2009
MONTPELIER – Col. Thomas L'Esperance took the reins of the state's largest police agency Monday in a ceremony at the Statehouse.
The change-of-command ceremony prominently featured the new top cop's family.
L'Esperance's two daughters pinned gold eagles on the shoulders of his uniform, signifying his new rank. His wife placed his badge on his chest and his father handed L'Esperance his "cover," or hat. And L'Esperance made his first salute as colonel to his brother, who is chief of the Salisbury, Mass., police department, in a ceremony held in the Senate chamber.
State police, other law enforcement officers and state officials packed into the Statehouse as outgoing Col. James Baker handed over authority to L'Esperance, making him the top-ranking officer in the Vermont State Police.
In a Massachusetts accent that hinted at his childhood in Lynn, L'Esperance said he was thankful to be assuming command of the agency where he has worked for 22 years, starting as a trooper in Brattleboro.
"I do realize how fortunate I am to be handed the reins from Col. Baker to a highly professional organization that is rich in tradition and history. A state police agency originally founded in 1947 for the purpose of investigating the disappearance of a college student in the Bennington, Vermont, area," said L'Esperance.
L'Esperance laid out his vision for the state police and said his top priority is to build relationships with other local police agencies, as well as federal authorities.
"In the Brooke Bennett case we saw what bringing agencies together can do," he said after the ceremony, referring to the murder a year ago of a 12-year-old Braintree girl that led to the arrest of her uncle, Michael Jacques. "We solved the crime."
L'Esperance also added it would have been ideal to find her alive.
This cooperative vision is one of the main reasons that L'Esperance was promoted from major to colonel, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Tremblay has said in earlier statements.
Baker, who is retiring after 31 years with the state police, spoke from the podium. He first noted that he was throwing out prepared remarks in order to speak from the heart. Baker, who became colonel in 2006, said L'Esperance will make a great colonel because of qualities "not found in management books."
One of those qualities is a "genuine empathy for your fellow man," Baker told the new colonel.
Tremblay administered the oath of office to L'Esperance, who swore to uphold the constitutions of Vermont and the United States.
Tremblay also thanked Baker for his "outstanding service to the great state of Vermont."
It was evident Monday that L'Esperance, having held other high ranking positions with the state police, is already used to being in charge. Uniformed state police officers stood as he stepped to the podium.
"Seats," L'Esperance said firmly when he was ready to speak. The officers sat.
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