Burlington Police Commission Slams Police Over Withheld Body Cam Footage After ICE Protests

The Burlington Police Department is under fire for stonewalling on body camera footage tied to a volatile Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation and protests in South Burlington last month. The Police Commission, tasked with oversight of local law enforcement, openly criticized the department’s delay in releasing video evidence that should be public.

On March 11, Burlington officers provided backup to South Burlington police during clashes between protesters and ICE agents. The incident sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny over the police’s role in immigration enforcement and their commitment to the city’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy. This policy, updated in 2024, explicitly prohibits police participation in civil immigration activities and includes protections against bias based on immigration status.

Ward 2 Commissioner Julia Ginorio did not mince words describing the day’s events as a “show” that “eroded trust in our local law enforcement agencies including BPD.” The Police Commission took testimony from groups like Migrant Justice and the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project, which highlighted concerns about police conduct during the ICE operation.

While Vermont State Police and South Burlington Police released their body cam footage quickly, Burlington Police withheld theirs until April 20—more than a month after the incident. The Police Commission raised this issue directly with Police Chief Shaun Burke, who failed to provide any legal reason for the delay.

Progressive City Councilor Melo Grant expressed alarm at the hold-up, saying, “We are at a crossroads again. Our faith in our police department is really being tested right now.” Chair of the Police Commission, Ward 4 Commissioner Robert Depper III, echoed frustration over the lack of transparency and the department’s failure to respect the Commission’s authority to review police actions.

“There was no reason, under law or city ordinance, that footage should have been withheld this long,” Depper stated bluntly. Ward 8 Commissioner Mary Cox pointed out the absence of clear policies governing how quickly body camera footage must be released, citing another case from last September where footage remained unseen eight months after a shooting.

Burke defended the delay by arguing that releasing footage prematurely could interfere with ongoing investigations, especially in use-of-force cases. Depper pushed back, emphasizing that the Commission’s role is oversight and review—not adjudication.

This standoff highlights a broader pattern of opacity and resistance to accountability within Burlington’s police department. The Commission’s warning is clear: without vigilant oversight and community pressure, the department will continue to withhold information and erode public trust.

As ICE enforcement actions escalate and community tensions rise, Burlington’s demand for transparent policing and adherence to anti-bias policies has never been more urgent. The Police Commission’s call for immediate and full disclosure of body camera footage is not just about one incident—it’s about reclaiming democratic oversight and protecting civil rights in the face of law enforcement overreach.