By Kolby R. LaMarche

Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak has rescinded an executive order that had imposed a contentious gag

on the Burlington Police Department (BPD), restoring the department’s ability to issue press releases independently. The decision follows the Police Commission’s approval of updated BPD Directive 30 and as the city seeks to address public trust and operational challenges amid a staffing shortage.

The original, restrictive executive order was enacted on January 10, under former Police Chief Jon Murad, who did not seek reappointment. It required all BPD press releases, including emergency alerts, to be submitted to the mayor’s office for approval before public dissemination.

The policy emerged from a high-profile incident on December 15, 2024, involving the arrest of Michael Reynolds, a repeat offender with nearly 2,000 police encounters. Murad’s press release detailed Reynolds’ extensive criminal history and suggested exploring alternatives to repeated arrests, prompting pushback. 

Reynolds’ defense attorney argued the statement could prejudice a jury, and Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George supported a gag order request. Mulvaney-Stanak, heeding George, implemented the order as a temporary measure while developing a stricter press policy. Legal experts upheld her authority over public employees’ speech, like that of the police department.

The gag order sparked significant controversy, however, with critics arguing it undermined police transparency. Murad adhered to the directive but refrained from further comment. The policy persisted under interim Chief Shawn Burke, appointed after Murad’s departure, until this week.

The rescission, effective immediately, was prompted by the Police Commission’s approval of revised BPD Directive 30. Mulvaney-Stanak credited Burke and the commission for their collaborative efforts. 

The new directive, which can be found here, replaces an outdated 2010 version with a comprehensive framework for departmental communications.

It mandates that press releases be factual, concise, and focused solely on public safety, prohibiting opinions, speculation, or personal commentary. 

With the police chief serving as the Public Information Officer (PIO), the directive centralizes coordination under their oversight, with final approval reserved for sensitive cases by the chief or designee to ensure consistency and accountability. The new policy also clearly includes a clause at the heart of the issue: “Any statements about the character, reputation, number of police involvements or criminal record of a person”, the memo reads.

The directive from Mulvaney-Stanak was issued without any known input from media, including some who offered to help give input.

According to records, the South Burlington Police Department, previously led by current Burlington Chief Shawn Burke, lacks a readily accessible policy governing its interactions with the media or the information it may release. 

Additionally, the South Burlington department has nearly ceased publishing press releases since April of this year, a change occurring just weeks after Burke’s departure from the role.