City Council

Police Commissioner

Position Description for Members of Board of Police Commissioners

The board of police commissioners is created by the Burlington City Charter and according to section 184 has the following duties and authority:

  • To exercise the authority and responsibility for the management of the police department, its services and facilities, that is delegated by resolution of the city council;
  • To notify the mayor and the chief administrative officer in writing of any changes to the police department’s rules and regulations;
  • To hear any appeal of a decision by the police chief to dismiss, suspend, or demote an officer;
  • To approve the chief’s appointment of limited and special police officers for a period not to exceed one year.

Members of this board must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a legal voter of the City of Burlington;
  • No more than two-thirds of the members shall be from the same political party.

Members of this board will be appointed for a three-year term. 

Historically, this board regularly meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at the Burlington Police Department community room.

In addition, members of this board will be expected to:

  • Attend all scheduled meetings, or if a meeting must be missed, let the chairperson know ahead of the meeting if they will not be able to attend;
  • Review any materials provided to the board ahead of time;
  • Notify the chairperson and/or the city staffperson assigned to the board of any accommodation for a disability that may be required in order for the person to serve;
  • Act from a spirit of cooperation and with respect towards other board members, staff members, and members of the public appearing before the board;
  • Avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest or bias;
  • Comply with all aspects of the Vermont Open Meeting and Access to Public Records laws;
  • When deciding a controversy or responding to a request, conduct themselves in a fair and impartial manner;
  • Consider fairly the interests of all individuals and organizations whose interests may be affected by their actions as a city official.