On Thursday, Burlington Police Department held a ceremony that recognized new employees, promoted current employees to new roles, and swore in Jon Murad as the new police chief, after he served as the acting chief. Mayor Miro Weinberger swore in Murad in and shared his vote in confidence in him.“Through all these challenges, The Chief has continued the department’s proud legacy of being one of the most transparent and progressive departments in the country,” Weinberger said.This will mark the first time in more than a three-year period that the department won’t be led by an acting chief.Murad said now that he has the official title, he’s focused on rebuilding the department, one that has been defunded by nearly 40% at one point during his time as acting chief. “If rebuilding is the most important goal we currently have, and it is so we can address our communities’ needs and the calls that come from our neighbors, then the most important thing that we can do is recruit great people,” Murad said. “Burlington wants and deserves great cops and we cannot compromise on that standard.“To help them get closer to the 69 officers’ goal they’re targeting by the end of the year, they’re bringing on five new police recruits, bringing that number to 67.One of those officers in training is Michael Malak.He moved to Vermont from Florida a few weeks ago for the job.Malak said he targeted Burlington because he wants to be a part of the rebuild.“I like the fact that the department isn’t super big,” Malak said. “You can get to know everyone really well. It’s a small family, which I really like.”Local Burlington businesses, like Ri Ra Irish Pub, are happy to see the added reinforcement.Sophia Wolf, one of Ri Ra’s hosts, believes it’s needed right now with the increase in crime, drug use, and homelessness in the area.“It’s not created a safe environment for college students, for people that are struggling on the streets, and for tourists in the area,” Wolf said.Murad is looking forward to having enough personnel and resources where that isn’t the case.He said at the end of the day, this job is all about the community.“It’s one that is fundamental to the well-being of our free and civil society,” Murad said. Our department is committed to making Burlington safe and fair everywhere for everyone.”Those five new police recruits won’t be in effect just yet.Starting Monday, they’ll spend 16 weeks at the Police Academy in Pittsfield, Vermont.Then they’ll need at least 580 hours of field training with an officer before a decision can be made.
On Thursday, Burlington Police Department held a ceremony that recognized new employees, promoted current employees to new roles, and swore in Jon Murad as the new police chief, after he served as the acting chief.
Mayor Miro Weinberger swore in Murad in and shared his vote in confidence in him.
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“Through all these challenges, The Chief has continued the department’s proud legacy of being one of the most transparent and progressive departments in the country,” Weinberger said.
This will mark the first time in more than a three-year period that the department won’t be led by an acting chief.
Murad said now that he has the official title, he’s focused on rebuilding the department, one that has been defunded by nearly 40% at one point during his time as acting chief.
“If rebuilding is the most important goal we currently have, and it is so we can address our communities’ needs and the calls that come from our neighbors, then the most important thing that we can do is recruit great people,” Murad said. “Burlington wants and deserves great cops and we cannot compromise on that standard.“
To help them get closer to the 69 officers’ goal they’re targeting by the end of the year, they’re bringing on five new police recruits, bringing that number to 67.
One of those officers in training is Michael Malak.
He moved to Vermont from Florida a few weeks ago for the job.
Malak said he targeted Burlington because he wants to be a part of the rebuild.
“I like the fact that the department isn’t super big,” Malak said. “You can get to know everyone really well. It’s a small family, which I really like.”
Local Burlington businesses, like Ri Ra Irish Pub, are happy to see the added reinforcement.
Sophia Wolf, one of Ri Ra’s hosts, believes it’s needed right now with the increase in crime, drug use, and homelessness in the area.
“It’s not created a safe environment for college students, for people that are struggling on the streets, and for tourists in the area,” Wolf said.
Murad is looking forward to having enough personnel and resources where that isn’t the case.
He said at the end of the day, this job is all about the community.
“It’s one that is fundamental to the well-being of our free and civil society,” Murad said. Our department is committed to making Burlington safe and fair everywhere for everyone.”
Those five new police recruits won’t be in effect just yet.
Starting Monday, they’ll spend 16 weeks at the Police Academy in Pittsfield, Vermont.
Then they’ll need at least 580 hours of field training with an officer before a decision can be made.
