Role of the Police Commission
Burlington Police Commissioners are appointed by the City Council for a three-year term. The City Council delegates to the Board of Police Commission the authority and management of the Burlington Police Department, its services, and facilities.
The primary tasks of the Commission are:
- To review and approve Departmental policy changes.
- To initiate audits, reviews, and evaluations of policies and directives, or data in regard to racial disparities or other Commission priorities.
- To review Department use of force reports each month and provide feedback on those incidents.
- To review and advise on the disposition of complaints submitted by the public as well as internally generated complaints. and
- To submit an annual report to the City Council on complaints, discipline, and other Commission activities.
The Commission’s goals are: 1) to promote fairness and impartiality in public safety, 2) contribute to transparency and accountability with regards to public safety, and 3) provide feedback to the Burlington Police Department and foster dialog so as to improve public safety and build trust between the Department and the community.
BPC is a member of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE). For more information about police oversight around the U.S., visit NACOLE.
Police Commission Meetings
The Burlington Police Commissioners typically meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in Contois Auditorium at City Hall, 149 Church Street, 2nd Floor, Burlington, VT.
There is a Public Forum at the beginning of each meeting where members of the public may address the Commission.
Physical copies of the Agenda are posted at the Clerk Treasurer's Office, the Fletcher Free Library and the DPW/Parks Office. If items are added to a specific Agenda, a revised copy will be posted at all listed locations.
Minutes from each meeting will be posted IN DRAFT FORMAT within 5 days after the meeting was held. These minutes will be discussed and approved by the Police Commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
To view the Agendas and Meeting Minutes for previous years visit the Commission meeting calendar or obtain by making a request to the Commission clerk.
On September 23, 2014, Mayor Weinberger issued an Executive Order, detailing the Public Meeting Law guidelines.
Additional information can be obtained by calling (802) 923-9010 or e-mailing msibrahim@burlingtonvt.gov
