Burlington Police Commission Slams Police Over Delayed Release of Body Cam Footage from ICE Protest Clash

The Burlington Police Department is facing sharp criticism from its own Police Commission over an unexplained delay in releasing body camera footage from a tense clash involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 11. The incident, which saw Burlington officers providing mutual aid to South Burlington police during protests against ICE, has already eroded public trust, and the slow release of video evidence is fueling further outrage.

At a March 24 meeting, the Police Commission confronted Acting Police Chief Shaun Burke about why Burlington police withheld footage until April 20, nearly six weeks after the event. “No legal basis for withholding the footage has been provided,” the Commission stated in a letter to the City Council. This delay stands in stark contrast to the Vermont State Police and South Burlington Police Department, who promptly released their body cam videos.

Ward 2 Commissioner Julia Ginorio did not mince words describing the March 11 events as a “show” that exposed deep flaws in law enforcement’s handling of immigration-related protests. The Commission’s review came after community groups like Migrant Justice and the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project testified about the department’s compliance with the city’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy. This policy, updated in 2024, explicitly prohibits police participation in civil immigration enforcement and aims to prevent bias based on immigration status.

Central District City Councilor Melo Grant, a Progressive, voiced the community’s frustration bluntly: “We are at a crossroads again. Our faith in our police department is really being tested right now.” Other commissioners echoed concerns about the lack of clear policies governing how quickly body camera footage must be disclosed. Ward 8 Commissioner Mary Cox pointed to a separate case from last September where footage remains unreleased after eight months.

Chair Ward 4 Commissioner Robert Depper III emphasized the Commission’s authority to review police actions to ensure policy compliance and expressed his frustration at the delay. “I was frustrated because I believe that should have been provided to us earlier under our authority in the city charter and Resolution 7.09,” Depper said. He warned that without vigilant oversight, the Commission’s power to hold police accountable risks being undermined.

Despite these calls for transparency, Acting Chief Burke defended the delay, citing departmental policies that require investigations and adjudications before footage can be released for review. “I would caution if you’re examining a use of force case for policy compliance that means you’re making a determination before it’s been investigated and adjudicated by the police department,” Burke told the Commission. Depper pushed back, clarifying that the Commission’s role is not to adjudicate cases but to audit and review police conduct.

Burke has maintained that officers acted in accordance with the Fair and Impartial Policing Policy during the ICE operation, but the delay in releasing footage and the lack of clear guidelines on transparency continue to erode community trust. The situation underscores a broader pattern of law enforcement resistance to accountability measures, especially in cases involving immigration enforcement and civil rights.

As protests and ICE actions continue to roil Vermont communities, the Burlington Police Commission’s call for timely, transparent release of body camera footage is a critical demand for restoring public confidence and ensuring police departments do not operate above scrutiny. The clock is ticking on whether Burlington police will embrace genuine accountability or continue to withhold information that the public deserves to see.