policing

Vergennes Policing Report 09/22/2022

A presentation of the 2022 Vergennes Police Department Staffing and Workload Report, prepared by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

Burlington Mayor's Press Conference: Mayor and Police Chief Provide Update on Burlington Police Rebuilding Plan 08/08/2022

From the City of Burlington:

Mayor Miro Weinberger and Police Chief Jon Murad provide an update about the Police Department Rebuilding Plan.

End Qualified Immunity - Rally at Ben and Jerry's on Church Street 03/02/2022

Advocates, Legislators and Ben and Jerry's co-founders gather on Church Street demanding an end to qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in Vermont.

From VPIRG:

"Qualified immunity is an unjust legal doctrine that effectively closes the courtroom doors to victims of police abuses of power. Advocates, VT Legislators, and Ben & Jerry’s co-founders will be on Church Street demanding that the the Vermont Legislature pass legislation that would help restore victims’ access to justice. Among the list of speakers is Duane Peterson, a former police officer who co-founded the solar company SunCommon and currently serves as a member of VPIRG’s Board of Trustees."

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale (Chittenden District)
Rep. Selene Colburn (Chittenden-6-4)
Zoraya Hightower, Executive Director of the Peace & Justice Center and Burlington City Councilor
Mia Schultz, president of the Rutland Area Branch of the NAACP
Kiah Morris, Executive Director, Rights and Democracy
Rev. Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Vermont Racial Justice Alliance
Duane Peterson, founder of SunCommon, former police officer, and VPIRG Board member
Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and co-chair of the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and co-chair of the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity

VICII: Policing the City 02/28/2022

From VICII:

"Join the Vermont Institute of Community and International Involvement and the People's Law School on Zoom for a discussion and an update on Policing in the City. We will discuss this issue with Jon Murad, the acting chief of police in Burlington.

Policing remains a top priority for most Americans as we approach the election cycle, both in Town Meetings in Vermont in March, and the midterms in November in the rest of the country. In Burlington the lack of an appointment of a permanent chief of police and the continuation of the acting Chief Jon Murad roiled the City for weeks and will greatly influence the voters who select their city representatives on Tuesday; in the nation rising crime rates will greatly influence voters as they cast their ballots in November for their Senators and Congresspersons."

For more information: vicii.org

Burlington Police Department Priority Response Plan Press Release 05/24/2021

Following the Burlington City Council’s action to reduce the number of sworn officers in the Burlington Police Department through attrition in June of 2020, the department had considered dramatically reducing the overnight shift when officer counts dropped to a level requiring curtailed service. Acting Chief Murad developed the Priority Response Plan as an alternative to previously discussed options that preserves, at least for now, a slightly larger overnight shift. The Priority Response Plan accounts for new staffing levels by eliminating one officer position from each of the three shifts.

Discussion Between Civilians and Burlington Police Officers 03/10/2021

In the wake of protests in response to the murder of George Floyd, the Burlington City Council voted to reduce the Burlington Police Force by 30% and called for reforms in how we approach public safety. The city administration appointed a special 6 month liason to assess the Burlington police, calling the position the Director of Police Transformation. As part of that work, conversations were convened between citizens and police officers.

For more information please visit: burlingtonvt.gov/policetransformation. For more information on the Burlington Police Department: burlingtonvt.gov/police.

On the Waterfront: Burlington Police Chief Del Pozo 03/29/2018

Melinda Moulton interviews Burlington Police Chief Brandon del Pozo and his journey from an officer in New York to the chief of the Burlington Police Department. Melinda also asks his opinions on current issues such as gun control. This is a special, non-live edition of her show.

True North Reports TV: 21st Century Policing 08/18/2017

Guest Host Michael Bielawski welcomes Vermont Watchdog Reporter Lou Varricchio to discuss recent instances of civil unrest and how law enforcement can best respond.

Open Discussion - The Appointment of Burlington Police Chief Brandon del Pozo 07/27/2015

Those concerned about the appointment process, about del Pozo specifically, and/or about the institution of policing as a whole, join in this community conversation to brainstorm ways to come together as a community to support one another. It is hoped that action steps come from this discussion.

Where Do We Go From Here? On The Hiring of Burlington's Police Chief. 07/21/2015

Genevieve Jacobs and Bill Oetjen, both local Burlington residents, host a discussion of the process for hiring Burlington's newly appointed Police Chief, Brandon del Pozo.

Featured Story

CCTV Receives NEH Grant to Support Community Archives

CCTV Center for Media & Democracy is pleased to announce receipt of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant alongside 32 peer archival institutions across the country. This $49,927 grant award will support efforts to preserve and expand access to audio/visual community history materials in the CCTV Archives. Read more about this opportunity here!