A Burlington police officer has been charged with a felony — allegedly entering his ex-girlfriend’s home without permission in July.
Cpl. William Drinkwine, 33, of Brookfield was charged on Friday, Oct. 16, with unlawful trespass into an occupied dwelling and is scheduled for arraignment Nov. 2 in St. Albans. If convicted, Drinkwine could face a maximum penalty of three years in jail and a $2,000 fine.
On July 7, while off duty, Drinkwine entered the Swanton home of his ex-girlfriend, who told him that he was not allowed in the home, and should leave, according to a press release from the Vermont State Police.
Drinkwine left without incident, and the woman reported the incident to Swanton police. Police in Swanton called in the Vermont State Police to investigate, a decision supported by the Burlington Police Department. The Vermont State Police immediately opened an investigation. The case was assigned to the Westminster Barracks in southern Vermont to avoid any conflict of interest, according to the press release.
Drinkwine was charged on Friday and was ordered to report Monday for fingerprints and photographs.
The Burlington Police Department suspended Drinkwine the day after the alleged incident, taking his badge and department-issued firearm. He has not returned to duty.
The city police department said it put its own internal investigation on hold while the state police were investigating. Now that Drinkwine has been charged, Burlington police report their internal investigation has resumed.
Acting Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad had informed the mayor, city attorney, police commission, and Department of Human Resources about the allegations in July, and the Burlington Police Commission has been updated on the investigation in executive session, according to a press release from the Burlington police.
On Sept. 30, when the investigation was nearing completion, the police commission asked that the City Council be briefed on the case.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Burlington police officer charged with trespassing at ex-girlfriend’s house.