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Statement Regarding the Resignation of Chief of Police Brandon del Pozo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2019
Contact:  Olivia LaVecchia
                 (802) 734-0617

Statement from Mayor Miro Weinberger Regarding the Resignation of Chief of Police Brandon del Pozo

Burlington, VT - Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger announced the resignation of Brandon del Pozo as Chief of Police. At the press conference, Mayor Weinberger delivered the following statement:

"Last night I received a letter from Chief Brandon del Pozo offering his immediate resignation from the Burlington Police Department.

With great sadness, I have accepted his decision. While I believe that del Pozo has been a truly outstanding chief, and while it was clear to me that he continued to have considerable support within the City Council, the Police Commission, the Police Department, and the community, it was also clear that if he continued to serve the days ahead would be very challenging for him, his family, the department, and the City.

I appointed Brandon del Pozo to be our chief four years ago, in the wake of terrible police incidents in Ferguson, Baltimore, and elsewhere. From the moment I first read his application, I believed him to be exactly the right person to lead the police in this progressive city at a very challenging moment in American law enforcement – and he was. Chief del Pozo’s time in Burlington should be understood and remembered as a period of remarkable progress and innovation.

His letter of resignation summarizes some of what we got done on his watch:

We were able to fight the opioid crisis as well or better than any other city in the nation, reducing overdose deaths by half in 2018 and sustaining that into 2019. Our methods have become a national model for saving lives. We closed the gap in racial disparities on our roadways in many ways and came to acutely understand the reasons for others. …Our innovations in the use of force and de-escalation were literally the nation's pilot, and they will endure.

The department achieved all this and more, while never losing focus on reducing crime and upholding justice. Again from his letter:

We lowered violent crime, making the city as safe as ever. Our detectives solved countless difficult cases, from hate crimes to sex assaults, giving justice and hope to our city's victims.

Chief del Pozo was an excellent communicator with the public, and he understood the very substantial pressures and risks faced by the women and men who wear the police uniform and serve as guardians of this community.

It was an honor and a privilege to serve with Chief del Pozo, and we wish him well in all his future endeavors. I will miss him greatly and I believe Burlington will as well.

We are fortunate to have an excellent police department that is much stronger than any one person. I have asked Deputy Chief Jan Wright to serve once again as Acting Chief, and she has agreed to do so. I will have more to share about the appointment of a permanent chief in the days to come.  

I am committed to doing everything I can to help the acting chief and ultimately the new chief move past this unfortunate chapter and to continue doing the excellent public safety work we expect from the Burlington Police Department.

Finally, to the outstanding men and women of the Burlington Police Department – thank you for your brave and steady service. I will do everything I can to support you through this challenging time and important transition."

For additional information, please see:

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Press Release Date: 
12/16/2019
City Department: 
Mayor's Office