Police Commission — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-10-28
Time: 18:00

Police Commission

 Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 6:00 PM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium

When: Oct 28, 2025 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Police Commission 10.28.2025

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1. Agenda
  1.1. Call to Order
  1.2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
  1.3. Additions or Modifications to Agenda

2. Adopt Minutes
  2.1. Motion to adopt previous meeting's minutes

3. Public Forum (Time Limited 10 Minutes)
  3.1. The public is invited to address the Commission
4. Commission Business (Time Limited 45 Minutes)
  4.1. Committee Reports from All Committees
  Complaints Committee
  General Info
  Retreat Update
  4.2. Commission Meetings in other Community Locations
  4.3. Commissioners Attending NPA Meetings
  4.4. Additional Commissioner Education and Training
  4.5. Holiday Meeting Schedule Planning

5. Chief's Report
  5.1. Chief's Report October 2025

6. Commendations (Time Limited 15 Minutes)

7. Announcement of Next Meeting Date - 11/25/2025

8. Proposed Executive Session
  8.1. Proposed Executive Session in order finalize a disciplinary matter that requires discussing
  personal and sensitive information about an individual.

9. Adjournment
  9.1. Motion to Adjourn

10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 10.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
 repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
 not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
 sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
 disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
  Meeting October 28, 2025 - Police Commission Meeting - Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 6:00 PM,
 Zoom/Contois Auditorium
  Category 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type

Police Commission

 Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 6:00 PM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium

When: Oct 28, 2025 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Police Commission 10.28.2025

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89909576045

Phone one-tap:
+13052241968,,89909576045# US
+13092053325,,89909576045# US

Join via audio:
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 669 444 9171 US
Webinar ID: 899 0957 6045
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kAFY7wyk1
1. Agenda
  1.1. Call to Order
  1.2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
  1.3. Additions or Modifications to Agenda

2. Adopt Minutes
  2.1. Motion to adopt previous meeting's minutes

3. Public Forum (Time Limited 10 Minutes)
  3.1. The public is invited to address the Commission



 Page 1 of 24
4. Commission Business (Time Limited 45 Minutes)
  4.1. Committee Reports from All Committees
  Complaints Committee
  General Info
  Retreat Update
  4.2. Commission Meetings in other Community Locations
  4.3. Commissioners Attending NPA Meetings
  4.4. Additional Commissioner Education and Training
  4.5. Holiday Meeting Schedule Planning

5. Chief's Report
  5.1. Chief's Report October 2025

6. Commendations (Time Limited 15 Minutes)

7. Announcement of Next Meeting Date - 11/25/2025

8. Proposed Executive Session
  8.1. Proposed Executive Session in order finalize a disciplinary matter that requires discussing
  personal and sensitive information about an individual.

9. Adjournment
  9.1. Motion to Adjourn

10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Subject 10.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
 information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
 Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
 who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
 to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
 advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
 on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
 repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
 not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
 sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
 disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
  Meeting October 28, 2025 - Police Commission Meeting - Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 6:00 PM,
 Zoom/Contois Auditorium
  Category 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
  Department Council and Board


  Type




 Page 2 of 24
 Police Commission
 Tuesday, August 26, 2025
 Remote via Zoom and In-person in Contois Auditorium City Hall
 Burlington, Vermont
 DRAFT MINUTES

Members Present: Commissioner Depper and Commissioner Ginorio
Members Online: Commissioner Cox, Commissioner Comerford, Commissioner Finneran and
Commissioner Brooks Fast
Staff Present: Interim Chief Burke present, Interim Deputy Chief Young present, Command
Staff Assistant Shibe Couchman online
Public Present: None


 1. Agenda
1.1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 6:01pm by Commissioner Depper.

1.2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
All Commissioners present except Commissioner Paul.

1.3. Motions for Additions or Modifications to Agenda (Time Limited: 15 Minutes)
N/A

 2. Adopt Minutes
2.1. Motion to Adopt Draft Minutes from July 22nd, 2025
Commissioner Ginorio proposed additional language to previous section 4.5. which was passed.

 3. Public Forum (Time Limited: 10 Minutes)
3.1. The Public is Invited to Address the Commission
No public present to comment.

 4. Commission Business (Time Limited: 30 Minutes)
4.1. Committee Reports from All Committees
 Complaints Committee
Chair Depper comments about updating the website and how that process has started.
Commissioner Cox asks if all complaints will be posted to the SharePoint for all Commissioners
to be able to review.
Commissioner Comerford asks for clarity on who will review the complaints.
Chief Burke suggests that the Police Commission Complaints Committee engages with DC
LaBarge on reviewing complaints.

4.2. Directive Review
 DD14.1 – Body Worn Camera Systems
Commissioner Ginorio gives her opinion on body worn cameras as context for her questions
about the directive. Commissioner Ginorio then asks Chief Burke questions for clarity on the




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directive. Upon answering all questions, the Commission votes on the directive. Unanimously
passed.
 DD29 – Online Crime Reporting
Commissioner Ginorio asks Chief Burke for definitions for terms “computer crime” and “theft of
rental property”. Upon clarification, the Commission voted and unanimously passed the
directive.

4.3 Retreat Agenda Discussion
 Potential Speakers
 Potential Topics
Both simultaneously opened to discussion. Commissioner Ginorio has reservations about only
having the Police Commission and BPD in the room. Commissioner Comerford presents the idea
of having an environment where Commissioners make speak more freely and get to know each
other.

 5. Police Department Business (Time Limited: 30 Minutes)
5.1 August 2025 Chief’s Report
Deputy Chief Young introduces himself to the Commission as it is his first meeting.
Chief Burke reviews data on downtown foot patrols/directed patrols, monthly downtown arrest
totals, 2025 & 2021-2024 top BPD incident averages, and day/night shift activity in 2025 calls
for service vs officer initiated. Chief Burke also talks about the social media and recruitment
efforts, as well as current initiatives.
Commissioner Comerford asked for additional data for next Commission

 6. Commendations (Time Limited: 15 Minutes)
6.1 BPD Commendations
CSL Brigid was recognized for her work.

  7. Commission Chair Nominations
Commissioner Finneran nominates Chair Depper.

 8. Commission Chair Vote
Chair Depper unanimously voted to be Chair, passed.
Commissioner Comerford proposed the idea of co-chairs which will be added to the next
meeting’s agenda.

 9. Announcement of Next Meeting Date
September 23, 2025

 10. Adjournment
8.1. Motion to Adjourn
The Commission adjourned the public meeting at 7:21pm.




 Page 4 of 24
October 28th, 2025
Chief’s Report – Burlington Police Commission

Personnel: The department continues to recruit for open positions; Emergency
Communications, Community Service Officers, Community Support Liaisons and Police Officers.
The recruiting team did a fantastic job with the BPD booth at the Champlain Valley Fair, which
proved to be an excellent point of engagement with the public.

Police officer application numbers have exceeded the total number received in 2024 by 10%,
the team’s efforts on social media marketing has likely been a strong influence:

Facebook




Instagram




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Promotions: I am very proud to announce that the department held a Sergeant Promotion
Process in September. When I assumed the role of Interim Chief, there were several critical
vacancies within the sergeant ranks. Following a competitive process, Cpl. Eric Kratochvil and
Cpl. Deidre LaCouture have been selected for promotion.

These new sergeants will complete a three-week field orientation to the role before being
assigned to a patrol team. Their promotions will ensure that each patrol team within the
Uniform Services Bureau has a dedicated sergeant to provide leadership and oversight—a
critical component of our operational effectiveness.

Sergeants play an essential role in directing daily staff activities, making independent decisions
related to operational priorities and risk management, and providing mentorship and training
to their assigned personnel.

Leadership Development: The department continues to prioritize leadership development and
has been intentional in providing employees with access to a variety of training and educational
opportunities during FY 2026:

 International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference
 Project Management Certification
 FBI Supervisor Leadership Institute
 Washington DC Police Leadership Academy

These efforts are essential in developing staff for succession, there is a wide breadth of talent
within the ranks of BPD – sworn and professional staff alike.

High Profile Incidents: Detectives worked tirelessly to solve the murder which occurred on
Church Street in August. This was a complex investigation given the nature of the assault,
multiple assailants, and the number of juveniles involved. I am very impressed by how the team
in DSB leverage technology and dogged investigative steps to solve this case efficiently. I am
equally pleased with how closely our team works with the State Attorney’s Office to ensure the
correct evidentiary standards are met – this is critical in setting shared expectations related to
outcomes.

The Drug Unit has been an essential element in response to the conditions in City Hall Park and
on the adjacent streets. Our unit has partnered with federal authorities to investigate drug
trafficking downtown and has identified crack cocaine as the prevailing drug type available on
the street. One investigation of note identified a male subject who was selling crack cocaine in




 Page 6 of 24
City Hall Park while using Decker Towers as a place to live. This case highlights how different
areas are connected through the drug trade and offered the opportunity for BPD to work with
the Burlington Housing Authority in keeping their property safe. The United States Attorney’s
Office has been a fantastic partner in this work - adopting several of the unit’s recent cases for
Federal prosecution.

Uniform Services: The staff assigned to USB has had a busy summer and fall. In addition to
responding to calls for service across the city, staff have spent a great deal of their time in the
Downtown District in response to the recent City Council Resolution. This month there will be a
separate data presentation to the Commission outlining the police activity downtown.

Deputy Chief Young has been reestablishing some of the effective partnerships BPD historically
used to improve conditions in the city.

DC Young is in weekly contact with Department of Corrections personnel assigned to Burlington
Probation and Parole. The agency’s shared goal is to work together at the field level to
effectively supervise community members under DOC supervision – there is ample overlap in
our work.

DC Young and Sgt. Byrne have been working with the Department of Liquor and Lottery
Investigators as it relates to Burlington’s downtown nightlife scene. Liquor and Lottery
Investigators have attended rollcall with our night shifts to explain their role in licensee
compliance. DC Young has also been in communication with the City Clerk’s Office to reinstate
the entertainment permit violation process. The foundation of Burlington’s vibrant nightlife
scene is public safety, the most critical partner in this work are responsible cabaret operators.

BPD will be engaging cabaret owners again to hold ongoing meetings to support one another in
maintaining this vital part of the downtown economy.

Policy / Direction - The department is working on the following initiatives:

 • DD 11 Victim Witness Assistance Directive Updated – pending Commission review in
 October.
 • DD 43 Community Service Officer Program Directive – pending Commission review in
 October.
 • Written guidance issued to Street Outreach and Community Support Liaisons (CSLs) as
 primary responders.
 • Launching a web based policy management software application.




 Page 7 of 24
Police Commission Data
OCTOBER 28 T H , 2025




 Page 8 of 24
 Downtown Foot/Directed Patrols
 Downtown foot patrols & directed patrols have surpassed the totals of any in the previous five years




Data 1/1/2020
– 10/15/2025



 Page 9 of 24
 City Hall Park Incidents, 2025 Rolling Counts
 To what extent are patrols and calls for service correlated?




  (note the differing
  Y-axes)




 Officer-
 initiated
 incidents ‘Downtown core’
 removed defined as Pine &
 Main to Bank & S.
Data Winooski
12/25/2024–
10/15/2025


 Page 10 of 24
 Downtown Arrests
 Downtown arrests have been higher than the past four years – particularly the summer into September




Data
1/1/2020 –
10/15/2025


 Page 11 of 24
 Downtown Drug Arrests by Month
 July, August & September had the highest drug arrest totals in the last five years




 Includes all
 arrests that
 have at
 least one
 drug-
Data 1/1/2020 related
– 10/15/2025 charge



 Page 12 of 24
 Downtown Calls For Service
 Mapping Valcour incidents to resolution language
 Acts of Violence:
 Assault,
 Domestic Assault,
 Reckless
 Endangerment,
 Homicide

 Disorderly Conduct:
 Disorderly Conduct
 Disturbance

 Unlawful Mischief:
 Vandalism
 Vandalism - Graffiti

 Open Drug Use:
 Drugs
 Drugs – Possession




 Officer-
 initiated
 incidents
Data removed
1/1/2020 –
10/15/2025


 Page 13 of 24
 Downtown Acts of Violence
 Downtown acts of violence have remained steady since 2023 – though Aggravated Assaults have increased




 Officer-
 initiated
 incidents
Data 1/1/2020 removed
– 10/15/2025



 Page 14 of 24
 Gunfire Incidents, 2020 - 2025




Data
1/1/2025–
10/13/2025


 Page 15 of 24
 Gunfire Incidents, 2020 - 2025




Data
1/1/2025–
10/13/2025


 Page 16 of 24
 City Hall Park Incidents, 2025 Rolling Counts

 Officer-
 initiated
 incidents
 removed




Data
12/25/2024–
10/15/2025


 Page 17 of 24
 City Hall Park Incidents, 2025 Rolling Counts

 Officer-
 initiated
 incidents
 removed




Data
12/25/2024–
10/15/2025


 Page 18 of 24
 Battery Park Incidents,
 2025 Rolling Counts

 Officer-
 initiated
 incidents
 removed




Data
12/25/2024–
10/15/2025


 Page 19 of 24
 Top 20 People Downtown, 2025
 Proactive
 incidents
 removed (Foot
 Patrols, Traffic
 Stops, etc.)




Data
1/1/2025–
10/15/2025


 Page 20 of 24
 Top 20 Housing Status

 All but 2 of these top 20
 have a most recent Valcour
 address of 'Homeless' or a
 shelter/hotel.




Data
1/1/2025–
10/15/2025


 Page 21 of 24
 Top 20 Top Incidents
 Top downtown incidents for the top 20 people




Data
1/1/2025–
10/15/2025


 Page 22 of 24
 Top 20 Top Incidents
 Top downtown incidents for the top 20 people & department-wide




 These top 20 make up
 around a quarter of some
 downtown incident types
 like Mental Health Issue,
 Disturbance, and Trespass.




Data
1/1/2025–
10/15/2025


 Page 23 of 24
 Top 20 People / Top 20 Arrestees




 Matching colored bars
 indicate the same person.

 For example, the person with
 121 incidents (Top Contact
 1) has 7 arrests (Arrestee
 12).




Data
1/1/2025–
10/15/2025


 Page 24 of 24

Police Commission
 Tuesday, October 28, 2025
 Remote via Zoom and In-person in Contois Auditorium, City Hall
 Burlington, Vermont
 DRAFT MINUTES

Members Present: Commissioner Depper and Commissioner Ginorio
Members Online: Commissioner Cox, Commissioner Paul, Commissioner Finneran, and
Commissioner Fast
Staff Present: Chief Burke and Deputy Chief Young
Command Staff Assistant Shibe Couchman online

 1. Agenda
1.1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 6:00pm by Commissioner Depper.

1.2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
All Commissioners present except Commissioner Comerford

1.6. Motions for Additions or Modifications to Agenda (Time Limited: 15 Minutes)
Motioned, seconded, approved unanimously.

 2. Adopt Minutes
2.1. Motion to Adopt Draft Minutes from August 26th, 2025
Moved, seconded, approved unanimously.

 3. Public Forum (Time Limited: 10 Minutes)
3.1. The Public is Invited to Address the Commission
No participants in public forum.

 4. Commission Business (Time Limited: 30 Minutes)
 4.1.Committee Reports from All Committees
 Complaints Committee
 General Info
 Retreat Update
Commissioner Paul touched briefly on the upcoming Police Commission Retreat.
Commissioner Cox talked about the possibility of holding Commission meetings around the City
of Burlington in various community locations, as well as Commissioners attending NPA
meetings.
Commissioners brought up the idea of their own education and training.


 5. Police Department Business (Time Limited: 30 Minutes)
5.1. September 2025 Chief’s Report
Interim Chief Burke goes through extensive data regarding different topics and areas of policing
and Department initiatives.

 6. Commendations (Time Limited: 15 Minutes)
6.1. Officer Commendations
No commendations.

 7. Announcement of Next Meeting Date
November 25th, 2025 unless otherwise changed by the Commission due to the holidays.

 8. Proposed Executive Session
The Commission proposes to move to an Executive Session to finalize disciplinary matters that
involves personal and sensitive information.

 9. Adjournment
8.1. Motion to Adjourn
The Commission adjourned the public meeting.