By Kolby LaMarche

The City of Burlington has concluded that its police officers did not use excessive force and did not violate the city’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy during their response to a chaotic protest surrounding a federal immigration enforcement operation in South Burlington on March 11.

Interim Police Chief Shawn Burke made the final determination following an internal review of use-of-force complaints and body-worn camera footage, with input from the mayor’s office and the police commission, according to city officials. 

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak announced the findings on Monday, stating that while the officers’ actions met existing standards, the incident exposed shortcomings in current policies for handling interactions with federal agents.

The March 11 events began when ICE agents attempted to arrest a man on Dorset Street in South Burlington. A chase led to a traffic accident, and the situation moved to a residence where federal agents sought a warrant. 

Protesters gathered in large numbers, blocking access and attempting to interfere with operations over the course of the day. Local and state police, including Burlington officers providing mutual aid, were present to maintain public safety amid escalating tensions.

Hundreds of demonstrators filled the street and surrounded the property. Videos from the scene showed physical confrontations as officers worked to clear paths for federal vehicles and prevent interference. 

Protesters alleged aggressive tactics by law enforcement, while police maintained they were protecting community members and managing a volatile crowd that included attempts to block federal operations.

The Burlington Police Department has received 121 complaints regarding officer conduct that day. The department released body camera footage in May after completing initial reviews. 

South Burlington and Vermont State Police had previously cleared their own officers in separate investigations, releasing extensive video evidence showing crowd control efforts that included physical removals of noncompliant individuals.

In her statement, Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak acknowledged community concerns while defending the process and the officers. She noted that officers acted within the bounds of existing policies but emphasized that those policies proved inadequate for the circumstances created by federal immigration tactics.

“I believe this incident brought to light important weaknesses in our existing policies,” Mulvaney-Stanak said. “It’s clear that they did not meet the stress test of the chaotic and unsafe circumstances that current federal immigration enforcement tactics create in our community.”

The mayor indicated that the city will review and potentially revise protocols for mutual aid responses and interactions with federal immigration authorities in the coming weeks. This includes evaluating training procedures and policies to better prepare for similar situations.

The clearance comes more than two months after the incident, during which time the city faced sustained public pressure. At a March 23 Burlington City Council meeting, more than 60 residents provided comment, many criticizing police involvement and calling for accountability. Some councilors echoed calls for stronger local limits on cooperation with federal enforcement.

Public comment at that meeting reflected deep divisions. Supporters of the protesters described officers shoving and arresting individuals attempting peaceful demonstration. Law enforcement officials, including Chief Burke, maintained that their role was limited to public safety and that they had attempted to de-escalate throughout the day.

Burlington officers were operating under mutual aid agreements when responding to the South Burlington scene. City officials have stressed that local police do not enforce federal immigration law but have a duty to protect residents and maintain order when called upon.

The review process followed standard city procedures for use-of-force incidents. Chief Burke’s decision was informed by video evidence, witness statements, and department policies, leaders say. No officers faced discipline as a result of the findings.

Community reaction to Monday’s announcement has been mixed. Activists who organized around the Dorset Street events expressed disappointment, arguing that the internal review lacks independence. Some, who were at the protest, directed their comments not only to the council but the mayor as well – with many Progressives seeing this as Mulvaney-Stanak taking away from them and supporting the department’s process. 

Some called for an external investigation, though city officials pointed to the transparency provided through body camera releases.

Others welcomed the findings as validation of officers operating in difficult conditions. Police representatives have described the response as necessary to prevent greater harm in a situation marked by large crowds, blocked roadways, and direct confrontations.

Looking ahead, the city plans a broader policy evaluation. This will examine how Burlington officers engage with federal agencies during high-stakes operations and whether additional training on crowd dynamics and de-escalation is needed.  

Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak has committed to ongoing dialogue with neighboring municipalities, including South Burlington, to identify shared lessons.

The March 11 operation resulted in the detention of three individuals by ICE, none of whom was the primary target of the initial action. Those detained were later released by a federal judge. No protesters faced charges from local authorities following the state’s attorney’s review.

Body camera footage released by Burlington showed officers issuing commands, using physical force to move protesters, and deploying pepper spray in at least one instance. Videos also captured protesters throwing objects at officers and attempting to block vehicles.

City officials have emphasized that the review does not address broader questions about federal immigration policy or state sanctuary provisions. Burlington maintains an executive order limiting local cooperation with ICE, which officials say was followed during the response.Residents seeking more information can access released body camera videos through city channels, found here.