Over the past several weeks, we’ve introduced readers to the people working to rebuild the town’s police department. In the third and last installment of this series, we introduce both the final officer in the department and the first person you are likely to encounter when you walk through the door at the police station.

Officer Mikayla Cochrane: Turning Loss into Purpose

Originally from Dover Plains, N.Y., Officer Mikayla Cochrane moved to Vermont when her husband, who is also a police officer, accepted a job with the Rutland PD.

Cochrane’s path to law enforcement is deeply personal. Her decision to become an officer was shaped by the loss of her younger brother, who had planned to become a state trooper before he was killed by a drunk driver while in college. “He always wanted this job,” she said. “So I wanted to do it for him as well as for me.”

After a few years as a stay-at-home mom, she found herself feeling restless and decided it was time to put that plan into action. She joined the department about a year ago and is working toward full certification, which she expects to receive this year.

Cochrane has enjoyed her contact with Brandon residents, remarking that she has consistently found people to be “friendly and welcoming.” Outside of work, Cochrane stays quite busy with her two young children, now two and five years old. She also enjoys gardening and raising chickens.

Samantha Sumner: Keeping Things Running Behind the Scenes

Chief David Kachajian was quick to point out that not all of the PD’s work happens in uniform. “People think the Chief runs the department, but really it’s the administrator who runs things.”

Samantha Sumner, who joined the department in December of 2025, fills that role. The most local of the crew, she grew up in Goshen and attended Neshobe School and Otter Valley Union High School.

In college, Sumner studied ecology with a minor in criminal justice and originally planned to become a game warden, but she soon realized that working outside year-round wasn’t the right fit. “I run too cold,” she said with a laugh.

Fortunately, she also enjoys paperwork and organizing. While part of her job is to serve as the first point of contact at the department, her main focus is keeping the department in compliance with record keeping. “There are lots of audits,” she said.

Sumner also does backup dispatching when the state dispatcher is overloaded and keeps track of the officers while they are in the field to ensure they have what they need. In her free time, she enjoys gaming, working out, and spending time with her pit bull.

Moving Forward

Rebuilding takes time. After a year of change, the department is still taking shape. But with the support of the community, these individuals — each bringing different backgrounds, strengths and perspectives — will have the best chance to come together and build a strong, collaborative team that will serve the town well in the coming years.