New St Johnsbury Officer Previously Cited for Excessive Force

There’s a new police officer in Saint Johnsbury with a wealth of law enforcement experience and a declaration from his previous employer that he used excessive force during an arrest in December. James McGowan, is a Marine veteran and long-time law enforcement officer. He served with the Vermont State Police and the Barre City Police Department, is now a member of the St. Johnsbury Police Department. He is also currently on paid administrative leave with the Barre City Police Department where he has worked since July 2017. He will be collecting pay from the city until the end of this month; his resignation from the department will take effect on May 1.