Michael Schirling and Lindsay Kurrle Credit: File: Jeb Wallace-Brodeur
Former Burlington police chief Michael Schirling was appointed Vermont’s commissioner of Public Safety Monday, replacing Thomas Anderson, who resigned in July, Gov. Phil Scott announced.

Schirling has served as secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development since January 2017, following a 25-year career with the Burlington Police Department.

Lindsay Kurrle, who has served as labor commissioner since January 2017, will replace Schirling as secretary of the commerce agency. In a prepared statement, Scott praised the two administration officials for their work to support and attract more employers and employees in the state.

“Their leadership in these new roles will be tremendously important to the state’s work to grow the economy, make Vermont more affordable and protect the most vulnerable,” Scott said.

Schirling’s 25-year career with the Burlington PD included seven as chief. The Queen City native and UVM grad retired in 2015, leaving a department with a reputation for being ahead of its peers in terms of technology.

Before joining the administration, Kurrle co-owned a small Montpelier-based fuel business and had previously worked for the state as assistant director of statewide financial reporting.

Both assume their new roles on September 3.

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Kevin McCallum is a political reporter at Seven Days, covering the Statehouse and state government. An October 2024 cover story explored the challenges facing people seeking FEMA buyouts of their flooded homes. He’s been a journalist for more than 25...

2 replies on “Schirling to Serve as VT Commissioner of Public Safety, Kurrle to Helm Commerce”

  1. *Schirling, a Queen City native and UVM grad, retired as Burlington police chief in 2015, leaving a department with a reputation for being ahead of its peers in terms of technology.”

    Wow.

    Like, wow!

    LOL.

    Wonder whether he reduced the crime rate.

    Isn’t that a police chief’s job?

    Asking for a friend.

    Oh, never mind. You wouldn’t understand.

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