By Kolby LaMarche

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak has decided not to release Burlington Police Department body camera footage from the March 11 Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation on Dorset Street in South Burlington at this time, citing ongoing internal use-of-force reviews and a related FBI investigation.

The decision comes as other agencies, including Vermont State Police and South Burlington Police, have publicly shared their own video from the incident.

City officials say the delay prioritizes thorough review processes over immediate transparency, even as public pressure and questions from the Burlington Police Commission continue.

The March 11 event unfolded when ICE agents attempted to execute a warrant at a residence on Dorset Street. Local law enforcement, including Burlington officers, responded primarily to manage crowd control and maintain public safety after protesters gathered in large numbers to block operations. Three individuals were detained by federal agents but later released, as none matched the warrant target. Six protesters faced arrests, with outcomes varying through prosecutorial decisions and restorative justice referrals.

Burlington Police reported receiving 121 formal complaints from residents about their handling of the situation. 

Officials have maintained that local officers were not pre-notified of the ICE action and focused on preventing injury to both protesters and federal agents. No findings of violations of Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy have been reported for Burlington officers in connection with the event.

Recently, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah Fair George declined to prosecute all of those who were arrested on March 11th, sparking backlash from residents and fellow elected leaders. 

Burlington has positioned itself as a leader in police accountability measures in recent years, including body-worn cameras, use-of-force and conduct policies developed under both previous and the present administrations. 

Former Mayor Miro Weinberger’s era saw advancements in oversight, including agreements for proactive release of certain footage, particularly after 2020. 

The city’s current policies generally call for releasing primary or representative body camera video within about 30 days of notable incidents, unless exceptions like active criminal inquiries apply, an exception Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak has used thus far. 

Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak’s administration has pointed to the need for completing the BPD’s use-of-force review before broader public dissemination of its officers’ footage. An FBI investigation into alleged assaults on officers during the event adds another layer of complexity, the city says, with officials concerned about compromising those accountability processes.

The Burlington Police Commission has also raised concerns about the delay, reviewing compliance with fair policing standards and the timing of footage sharing. 

Community members and some councilors have called for quicker release to build trust, especially given the high volume of complaints.

The incident drew national attention, culminating in a visit by White House Border Czar Tom Homan to Vermont late last month. 

Governor Phil Scott described the meeting as primarily a “listening session,” allowing Vermont officials to voice issues around coordination with federal agencies. 

Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison and other leaders attended. Scott emphasized the value of open communication, even amid disagreements, noting that the federal side did not commit to immediate policy shifts.

Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak provided no clear timeline for when the public might expect videos, photos, and other written records of that day. What was clear, however, was the mayor’s discomfort. Much of Burlington’s activist class have been applying pressure on Burlington’s Progressive leaders, urging the mayor to release the records. 

Some see Mulvaney-Stanak’s hold on records as a continuation of “cover ups” for the police, but others say she doesn’t have a choice – she has to support the department through whatever it is about to go through. 

In incidents like the March operation, officers must document uses of force. Reviews typically involve supervisors examining body camera footage, witness statements, and other evidence to determine if actions are aligned with training, department directives, and state law. 

Factors considered include the level of resistance (passive, active, or aggravated), perceived threats, and de-escalation attempts.

For more serious cases involving potential serious bodily injury or death, enhanced post-incident procedures apply, including independent reviews and preservation of footage. Burlington’s internal process for this event includes a comprehensive examination of complaints and video, expected to take weeks or months depending on complexity. 

Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak has indicated her office is also conducting a parallel review.

Once the BPD completes its review, officials anticipate decisions on footage release, potentially with redactions for privacy or ongoing matters. The Police Commission continues oversight, ensuring alignment with fair and impartial standards.