I guess the good folks of Pawlet know how Kiah Morris felt.

When she was subjected to racist abuse and threats, the former state representative got no backing from law enforcement on any level, from the local police to the state attorney general’s office. And now the people of Pawlet have gotten the same quality service from the Rutland County Sheriff’s Office and Vermont State Police, who failed to enforce an order for the arrest of militia training center chief Daniel Banyai.

And now the arrest warrant has expired, so Pawlet is seeking an extension with the addition of court oversight so the cops can’t stall out the clock once again.

The expiration was first reported last week by the Bennington Banner, and re-reported this week by VTDigger. The details show two police agencies with no heart for the task, making excuses for their lack of action.

I get it. Driving onto the grounds of the heavily-armed Slate Ridge compound with the intent of arresting its founder seems like a perilous endeavor. But still, it’s their job.

Sheriff David initially told the Banner that enforcing the arrest order was up to the State Police, not him. He changed his tune in August, saying that there were several unsuccessful attempts to locate Banyai or get him to surrender. The Banner says Fox reported that “Banyai could not be located near the property,” which implies that deputies never set foot on Banyai’s property. Brave souls.

As for the state police, the Banner reported that they “had indicated a willingness to assist with the arrest but didn’t feel it was their duty to do so.”

Hm. You’d think that the State Police and the sheriffs would have this kind of jurisdictional detail all worked out. Instead, they seem to be hiding behind some deliberately obscure language.

In response, Pawlet’s attorney has asked the court to ride herd on the cops.

Pawlet’s latest request demands that both the county sheriff and state police report periodically to the court under oath on their efforts to execute the warrant. The motion to update the writ also requests that both agencies be granted permission to enter Banyai’s property, and it asks the court to schedule a date by which Banyai must turn himself in to the Vermont Department of Corrections.

It shouldn’t have come to this. It shouldn’t be necessary to force the sheriff and state police to report under oath regarding their execution of the warrant. But that’s where we are, thanks to Our Brave Protectors of the Peace failing to enforce a lawful court order.