PROGRESSIVE COUNCILORS OPPOSE APPOINTMENT OF POLICE CHIEF AFTER FLAWED PROCESS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2022
Contact:
Council President Max Tracy
City Council President, Ward 2
maxwell.k.tracy@gmail.com
Councilor Perri Freeman
City Councilor, Central District
freeman.perri@gmail.com
Councilor Jack Hanson
City Councilor, East District
jack.c.hanson@gmail.com
Councilor Zoraya Hightower
City Councilor, Ward 1
zhightower@burlingtonvt.gov
Councilor Jane Stromberg
City Councilor, Ward 8
jane.stromberg97@gmail.com
Councilor Joe Magee
City Councilor, Ward 3
jmgaee@burlingtonvt.gov
PROGRESSIVE COUNCILORS OPPOSE APPOINTMENT OF POLICE CHIEF AFTER FLAWED PROCESS
BURLINGTON, VT – Progressive City Councilors issued the following statement on Thursday opposing the appointment of Acting Chief Jon Murad as permanent Chief of Police of Burlington, and calling on the Weinberger Administration to use the resources provided by the Council in December to expand the pool of applicants.
“We want to make it very clear that Mayor Weinberger does not have the votes in the City Council to confirm Acting Chief Murad as Burlington’s permanent Chief of Police. Burlington needs a permanent Chief of Police who demonstrates a commitment to transforming public safety in Burlington. Right now, Jon Murad is not that candidate.
“We have been clear that we oppose this appointment given that the process that brought us here was flawed. No one was satisfied with the first search process and all parties, including the Mayor, called for the hiring of an executive search firm. We are disappointed that the Mayor has chosen to move forward despite knowing that more than half of the Council is opposed. This appointment is divisive, controversial, and has cost the City months of time. This is yet another step back in a continually flawed hiring process.
“The City Council authorized funding to hire a search firm and expand the pool of Police Chief applicants. We call on the Mayor to use the resources provided by that resolution and work with the City Council in good faith to restart the search process so that we can find candidates who have the experience, tools, and desire to support ongoing transformation efforts and move our City forward.”
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