Over a month after violence broke out on South Burlington’s busy Dorset Street following an ICE operation, the body camera footage taken by Burlington police officers on scene has been released, but not to everyone.The Burlington Board of Police Commissioners requested the footage from Interim Chief Shawn Burke at their last meeting over a month ago. He declined, pending what he called an “internal investigation.”121 complaints were filed against the department following the event, and at least one Burlington police officer is under review for excessive force. Burke says that review is now done.”The department has completed our review of the use of force complaints received from the public,” said Burke.The Board says they have since seen some of the body camera footage. It was released to them last Monday, April 20, but they say there was no legal reason given for the police department to withhold this video in the first place, and it’s still not available to the public.The Board also heard from Migrant Justice and the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP) on Tuesday. They were on Dorset Street that day, too. The advocate groups say ICE acted illegally that day and claim the city’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy was violated by local law enforcement on March 11. They want reform for next time.”ICE is not going away anytime soon,” said VAAP’s Erin Jacobsen. “When they see us divided amongst ourselves, they win.” NBC5 was also told Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak has also seen some of the released video and has been briefed on the results of BPD’s investigation.Burke requested the Board hold an executive session in early May to go over the findings of the investigation into the excessive force complaints.
Over a month after violence broke out on South Burlington’s busy Dorset Street following an ICE operation, the body camera footage taken by Burlington police officers on scene has been released, but not to everyone.
The Burlington Board of Police Commissioners requested the footage from Interim Chief Shawn Burke at their last meeting over a month ago. He declined, pending what he called an “internal investigation.”
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121 complaints were filed against the department following the event, and at least one Burlington police officer is under review for excessive force. Burke says that review is now done.
“The department has completed our review of the use of force complaints received from the public,” said Burke.
The Board says they have since seen some of the body camera footage. It was released to them last Monday, April 20, but they say there was no legal reason given for the police department to withhold this video in the first place, and it’s still not available to the public.
The Board also heard from Migrant Justice and the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP) on Tuesday. They were on Dorset Street that day, too. The advocate groups say ICE acted illegally that day and claim the city’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy was violated by local law enforcement on March 11. They want reform for next time.
“ICE is not going away anytime soon,” said VAAP’s Erin Jacobsen. “When they see us divided amongst ourselves, they win.”
NBC5 was also told Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak has also seen some of the released video and has been briefed on the results of BPD’s investigation.
Burke requested the Board hold an executive session in early May to go over the findings of the investigation into the excessive force complaints.
