Woodstock's new police chief on the job

A Springfield native was chosen from a field of 20 applicants to become Woodstock's new police chief.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110722/NEWS02/707229936

Published July 22, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Woodstock's new police chief on the job

By Christian Avard

WOODSTOCK - It's been a whirlwind beginning for Robbie Blish.

Last week, the Springfield native returned to Vermont after a 16-year stint with the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Police Department. On Monday, he rolled up his sleeves and stepped into his new role as Woodstock police chief.

"Everything happened much faster than I anticipated. But it happened and here I am," Blish said.

Since his arrival, Blish has met with town officials, municipal departments and local residents and is ready to assume his new responsibilities.

"I want to bring a lot of new things to the table and be involved in the community as much as I can," Blish said. Chief Kelly was very much involved in the community. I can only hope I do as half as good as a job as he did."

Blish is a graduate of Springfield High School and the Norwich University Corps of Cadets program. In 1990, he joined the Springfield Police Department and served for five years before transferring to Fort Lauderdale. Blish said he moved to Florida because he was looking for a larger agency with more opportunities for advancement.

Blish worked on a variety of assignments with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. He supervised 20 officers as a road patrol sergeant and a community police unit comprising 18 officers, and served as head of procurement in his last assignment. Blish said he looks forward to using his community and administrative skills in forging new relationships.

"I think one of my strongest suits is I'm very community-oriented," Blish said. "I'm very much a people person. I enjoy interacting with people and I want to be as good as a fit for the police department as the community wants me to be. Woodstock is a tight-knit community and I'm looking to become part of that."

Blish said his family is ready for a new beginning. He and his wife have a 9-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son and an opportunity presented itself after Police Chief Byron Kelly announced his retirement.

The search committee reviewed 20 applicants. They chose Blish as Kelly's successor and set his annual salary at $65,000. Phil Swanson, town manager and a member of the search committee, said the committee was impressed with Blish's background.

"Blish has a lot of necessary experience we were looking for and we felt he would make a great chief Woodstock expects to have. He is professional, competent and friendly," Swanson said.

New Woodstock Police Chief Robbie Blish poses in front of his station on Route 4 in Woodstock on Thursday afternoon.
Photo: Vyto Starinskas / Staff Photo