Montpelier, Vt. – Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Wanda Minoli today announced the appointment of Wade Cochran of Waterford as the DMV Enforcement and Safety Director.
“Director Cochran has dedicated his career to law enforcement, and his extensive knowledge and experience will benefit the DMV and Vermonters,” Commissioner Minoli said. “We warmly welcome him to the DMV and the State of Vermont.”
Cochran will start on August 14th and replace Anthony Facos, who served approximately three years in the position before departing earlier this summer.
Cochran comes to the DMV from the Norwich Police Department, where he has been Chief of Police since October 2022. Prior to that, he spent more than 17 years at Montpelier Police Department as Detective Sergeant. He previously worked at Barre City Police Department and Hardwick Police Department.
Cochran was selected in part due to his leadership experience and forward thinking about the use of modern policing, transparency, and collaboration with mental-health and other agencies, private partners, and other first responders to support the changing enforcement environment.
“This is an excellent professional opportunity for me after nearly 22 years in law enforcement, and I am eager to begin working with my new colleagues in the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement and Safety Division,” Cochran said. "I have dedicated the majority of my law enforcement career to investigations and leadership roles, and I am ready for this challenge.”
The Enforcement and Safety Division has 29 sworn officers and a civilian staff of 14 employees. The Division is responsible for vehicle inspections, licensing and training management, dealer regulations, investigations, commercial vehicle regulation, and motor carrier safety, among other programs and services.