Joint Statement from Leaders of the Joint Committee on Police Transformation and Mayor Weinberger
Burlington, VT – Co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Police Transformation, Police Commissioner Shireen Hart and Councilor Zoraya Hightower, and Mayor Miro Weinberger, release the following joint statement:
“Under the leadership of Director Tyeastia Green, we reviewed the draft report over the last few days, and met yesterday with the CNA consultants to ask clarifying questions.
At this stage, we are very encouraged by the thoroughness of CNA’s inquiry and analysis, and believe their assessment will be a useful resource for developing consensus about the future of public safety in this community and implementing meaningful changes. However, we caution that this document is still a draft, and that there may be important clarifications to the final document. We note that the draft report’s recommendation for 76 to 83 “require(d)” officers does not equate to an “authorized cap”. Further, where the City’s police staffing should fall in this range is dependent on a number of other factors and policy changes – in addition to required officers, the consultants provide 150 other recommendations.
It is unfortunate that the report was leaked before it was finalized. We do not wish premature analysis to erode the public’s confidence in the final report, as we all trust the process that produced it.”
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