Captain Nelson’s recent work includes service to the Vermont Judiciary and the VT. Supreme Court as a security specialist. He also continues work for the US Marshals Service as a District Security Officer and is an armed, private investigator licensed in Vermont. His vast law enforcement experience includes expertise in multi-agency task force leadership and organization, complex major criminal investigations, diverse detective work, internal affairs cases, misconduct allegations regarding public officials, executive protection, court security, police patrol supervision and procedures.  

Captain Thomas M. Nelson began his public safety career in 1980 by achieving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Bryant University in Smithfield Rhode Island, while also working in the Campus Security Department as a student officer. He now has more than 35 years of successful, challenging, and diverse experience in the Criminal Justice field as a Vermont Law Enforcement professional. A retired Vermont State Police Captain with over 28 years of state level law enforcement performance that includes executive management responsibility during more than 5 years as a commissioned officer, proven leadership during 15 years of supervision with specialized police assignments, and 15 years of other challenging, notable, and diverse police duties. After retirement from the Vermont State Police, Captain Nelson worked for 4 years within the US Department of Homeland Security in a specialized unit of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) followed by 4 plus years with the US Marshal’s Services’ Judicial Security Program in the Federal Courts.