Brattleboro Police Chief Norma Hardy will step down March 30, and town leaders are marking the announcement with strong praise for her time in the role.

Town Manager John Potter shared the news during Thursday’s special Select Board meeting, saying Hardy had formally notified him of her plans to retire at the end of March. Potter told board members he had hoped to keep her in the position longer, but said conversations with Hardy made it clear the timing was right for her to move into the next stage of her life.

Hardy has led the Brattleboro Police Department since 2021. Potter said her tenure reshaped how the department operates and strengthened its relationship with residents and other parts of town government. He pointed to several initiatives he said were advanced under her leadership, including the Brattleboro Resource Assistance Team (BRAT), the department’s community resource officer role, and a police liaison program connected with Health Care & Rehabilitation Services (HCRS). He also emphasized the internal culture she helped build, describing a department that works collaboratively and approaches public safety with care.

Potter said Hardy’s presence will be missed—from leadership meetings and emergency responses to her regular visibility in the downtown area, where she has built relationships with business owners and community members. He added that the town is positioned to continue the progress made during her administration.

The town plans to name Assistant Chief Jeremy Evans as Brattleboro’s 25th police chief on March 30. Potter said Evans, a 27-year veteran of the department, has been central to efforts in recent years to adjust staffing, set departmental goals, expand training, strengthen partnerships, and manage daily public safety demands.

As part of the leadership transition, Capt. Adam Petlock is expected to be promoted to assistant chief. Potter said Petlock, who has spent 15 years with the department, has demonstrated strong performance and a deep commitment to the community, citing his work ethic and strategic approach.

Select Board Chair Elizabeth McLoughlin said she believes the department will carry forward the stability Hardy brought, while Vice Chair Oscar Heller expressed gratitude for Hardy’s service and confidence in the incoming leadership team. Heller said he has worked closely with Evans and Petlock and believes the department is well positioned under their direction.