We need a civilian with experience working in and with law enforcement serving as High Bailiff. As the one person in Rutland County who has authority to arrest the sheriff on state warrants, the High Bailiff has an important role in safeguarding our rights! But when this position is held by an acting member of law enforcement, a rivalry between the sheriff and the High Bailiff could lead to a misuse of power that undermines our safety. The opposite is just as dangerous—when the High Bailiff is just waiting his turn to become sheriff, it could lead to cronyism, with law enforcement escaping oversight as the sheriff and High Bailiff close ranks.
The High Bailiff’s position exists so that we can avoid that problem. The people chose to reserve oversight of the sheriff so that they would never be put in the position of being at the mercy of a corrupt system. So it only makes sense that we elect a civilian.
But this civilian needs to have experience working in and with law enforcement. They need to understand the demands of the job while never losing sight of what’s best for their community. Tabitha is that person.
At the Onondaga County Probation Center, Tabitha served as both the Assistant Director of Juvenile Detention Services and as a Probation officer. In these positions, Tabitha prepared social investigations and pre-sentence reports for the court; coordinated with families to divert youth from the justice system; acted as a liaison between families, judges and county attorneys; developed emergency safety plans; and supervised training for staff. She also delivered training to law enforcement in Tompkins County, NY on serving populations that do not receive the same level of service as other populations, including immigrants, the LGBTQIA+ community, Blacks, indigenous people, and people of color.
Tabitha is currently collaborating with law enforcement through her work on the Vermont State Police Fair and Impartial Policing Committee and the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council Fair and Impartial Policing Training Committee. And she is contracting with the Department of Corrections and the Town of Essex and Essex Police Department on community relationships and policing. In the past, she has also collaborated with:
* Vermont legislators working on several legislative items to improve policing in Vermont
* Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Michael Schirling, on the development of his 10 point plan
*Rutland City Police on efforts to improve community outreach and service.
But Tabitha’s qualifications don’t stop there. Her training and work in psychology and therapy make her well-qualified for de-escalating crises and mediating between various parties. As President of the Rutland Area NAACP and Training Coordinator at the University of Vermont, Tabitha has the administrative and leadership experience to step in temporarily for the sheriff if they’re incapacitated (until the Governor appoints a replacement). And as a mother with strong roots in the community, Tabitha will always prioritize the safety and well-being of the people of Rutland County.
Follow Tabitha on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TabithaMooreForHighBailiff
And learn more about her qualifications and the role of the High Bailiff: https://tabitha4rutland.wordpress.com/