WEST LEBANON — The Windsor County Sheriff is facing calls for his resignation and the temporary suspension of his law enforcement certification after being charged last month with multiple charges of sexual misconduct.
But because sheriff is an elected office, there is only so much outside agencies and lawmakers can do to force Palmer out of office before his term expires a year from now.
On Wednesday, the Vermont Criminal Justice Council voted unanimously to “summarily and temporarily” suspend Ryan Palmer’s law enforcement certification. As a result, he is prohibited from duties such as patrolling, writing speeding tickets and arresting people.
Even without the certification, Palmer can remain sheriff. As constitutional officers in Vermont, sheriffs are not required to have law enforcement credentials to hold the office.
The same day Palmer lost his certification, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott called for his resignation.
Scott, addressing the Palmer situation at his weekly press conference, said on Wednesday, “from what I’ve seen and read, he’s lost the trust of folks in Windsor County, and he should step down.”
Scott’s call for Palmer’s resignation follows a similar request from the Windsor County delegation of state representatives and senators.
“The community’s faith in its public servant, and by extension its public safety, is in jeopardy while these allegations loom,” the letter, sent Tuesday, said.
Palmer pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice, two felony counts of aggravated stalking with a deadly weapon, a felony count of lewd and lascivious conduct and two misdemeanor counts of soliciting prostitution at his arraignment in Rutland Superior Court last week.
Neither he nor his attorney, Daniel Sedon, responded to voice messages left for them on Thursday.
Criminal Justice Council acts
On Wednesday, the Vermont Criminal Justice Council met in an executive session that lasted around 30 minutes to consider a vote to suspend Palmer’s law enforcement certification. When the council returned to public session, the vote passed unanimously.
As written in the order signed by Council Chairman William Clements, “these allegations, if true, constitute a danger to public health, safety or welfare that imperatively requires emergency action.”
The council agreed that “there is no other mechanism available that can restrain or limit the law enforcement actions” of Palmer other than suspension while the criminal process in his case plays out.
Phone and email efforts to Clements for comment were not immediately successful.
During the council’s meeting on Wednesday, Christopher Perkett, attorney and member of the council, said he spoke with Palmer’s lawyer, Sedon, that morning.
Palmer, Sedon told Perkett, “does not oppose a temporary suspension of his law enforcement certification while the criminal matter is pending.”
In their letter, Windsor County elected officials called for Palmer to step aside from the sheriff role; formally delegate operational authority for both law enforcement and administrative aspects to a designated deputy sheriff; identify instances of sole authority in day-to-day operations; request assistance from the Vermont Sheriff’s Association; and remove himself from law enforcement, administrative and financial decision-making.
Palmer had not responded as of Thursday morning, both state Sen. Rebecca White, D-Hartford, and state Sen. Joseph Major, D-Hartford, said.
Deputy says it’s business as usual
On the appointment of a designated deputy sheriff, as stipulated in the letter, White said that they are aware that Windsor County Claude Weyant has been appointed to take over during the legal process, but have not received the designation in writing.
In a phone interview on Thursday, Windsor County Capt. Claude Weyant told the Valley News that he is, in fact, acting as deputy sheriff, with assistance from Lt.s Anthony Leonard and Richard King.
“I’m afraid people are panicking that everything’s falling apart,” Weyant said.
But, he contends, the sheriff’s office is “operating in full capacity.”
“All the patrols are going out. All the civil processes are being served. Transports are being done. Payroll is being made,” he said. “All these things are happening.”
When asked if Weyant has been in communication with Palmer regarding his decision to remain or resign, he said Palmer “hasn’t indicated either.”
On communication in general: “We communicate very little,” he said.
Without Palmer’s resignation, it would take impeachment to remove him.
In Vermont, a vote of two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives is required to order an impeachment, according to a legislative memorandum on impeachment dated June 2023. After this, impeachment is then tried in the Senate.
Two-thirds of the senators present must then vote to convict the officeholder after the trial. If convicted, the subject of the impeachment is removed from office and disqualified from holding office in the future.
Impeachment, White said, was discussed initially when officials learned of the allegations against Palmer.
But due to the lengthiness and rarity of success in the process, the course of action taken in the meantime shifted to the drafting of a formal letter requesting Palmer to take steps to ensure the public safety and trust in law enforcement.
Palmer was first elected to the office in 2022 for a four-year term. The seat is up for election in November.