UVM police chief moves to adviser position

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) -

The University of Vermont police chief has stepped down after a four-month absence.

Lianne Tuomey is serving as a senior adviser for safety and security, said Gary Derr, UVM’s vice president for Operations and Public Safety, The assistant chief is acting as the interim chief.

Der r told WPTZ-TV that Toumey’s absence from mid-July to mid-November was for personal and not performance-related reasons.

“She served in this capacity as the chief of police for 10 years, which is a long time for a chief,” Derr said. “(It’s a) very demanding job and again I’m just pleased she is going to be staying on at the university and helping us.”

Tuomey revealed that she had been interviewing to become the police chief in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Derr said.

The Post Independent newspaper reported on Dec. 2 that Tuomey was one of the four finalists for the position.