Vermont State College System Honors Johnson Alumnus Trevor Whipple

After a successful career in law enforcement and a continued commitment to his alma mater, Trevor Whipple ’93 has been inducted to the Vermont State College System Hall of Fame. 

Trevor, who graduated from Johnson State College with a B.S. in General Studies in 1993, had already begun his career as a police officer in Barre, Vermont while attending JSC. Having earned an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Castleton State College, Trevor was able to earn his bachelor’s degree through Johnson’s External Degree Program in a way that worked for his career and family. After graduating from Johnson, he was given the rare opportunity to attend the elite FBI training academy in Quantico. He graduated from that program with master’s level credits and then earned a master’s in Public Administration from the University of Vermont in 2003.

Trevor served as chief of police in the Barre City Police Department for seven and a half years before going on to serve as chief of the South Burlington Police Department for 12 years. He retired from that position last year and accepted a position with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns as a law enforcement consultant to member police departments and municipalities. In this role, he works to encourage best practices and up-to-date policies, and also seeks to reduce risk to departments and communities.

Trevor has remained connected to the VSCS throughout his life. He has served as an adjunct professor in criminal justice at the Community College of Vermont for 16 years. He gives back to Johnson by participating in the annual Dinner with the Boss event, sharing his wisdom with graduating seniors.

Trevor has always believed in a victim-centered approach to law enforcement and it is clear that that approach has allowed him to touch many lives throughout his career. In April 2018, he received the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services’ Lifetime Achievement Award.

In his free time, Trevor enjoys biking, hiking, and kayaking with his wife and spending time with his daughter and granddaughter.