Brandon del Pozo listens as Mayor Miro Weinberger speaks. Credit: Matthew Thorsen
The Burlington City Council voted Monday night to approve the appointment of Brandon del Pozo as the city’s next police chief, following a four-hour debate that was at times testy.

Del Pozo, 40, is due to start September 1 in the $114,363-a-year job. Mayor Miro Weinberger chose him from a field of nearly 30 candidates. He replaces Michael Schirling, who retired in June.

Councilor Joan Shannon (D-South District) abstained, citing a work conflict of interest. The remaining 11 councilors voted for del Pozo.

Despite the council’s support of del Pozo, it was a tumultuous evening. About 130 people filled city hall’s Contois Auditorium, the majority protesting del Pozo’s appointment.

A long line of critics argued that del Pozo should be rejected because of his 18-year career with the New York Police Department, where he is a deputy inspector. Some blatantly accused him of being responsible for the department’s racial profiling, systematic infiltration of Muslim communities and mistreatment of protesters.

“Every time I step in this city I’ll be under his jurisdiction. Give it some time. Don’t make this decision tonight,” said Mark Hughes, a black man from Marshfield.

Former city councilor Ed Adrian later took the mic to call critics on their summary link between del Pozo and problematic NYPD policies. “The police chief is being profiled,” he said, noting that opponents were making assumptions about his work at NYPD.

The debate drew protesters to city hall. Credit: Matthew Thorsen
Schirling told councilors that he strongly supports his successor, with whom, he said, he’s spent considerable time during the candidate search process. “The vilification you’re hearing does not match the man,” Schirling said.

Del Pozo, in responding to criticisms, condemned profiling and said critics had misinterpreted his background. “I had absolutely no part in surveillance of any individuals,” he said.

Councilors rejected calls to delay the appointment so that more community forums could be held. The city had already conducted a lengthy process in which diverse panels of residents weighed in, said Councilor Tom Ayres (D-Ward 7).

Councilor Sara Giannoni (P-Ward 3) said greater public input was warranted.

Del Pozo said his wife, watching Monday’s night meeting online from the Adirondacks, told him he didn’t need to put up with the kind of criticism he was facing. He said he texted back that it was all part of democracy.

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Terri Hallenbeck was a Seven Days staff writer covering politics, the Legislature and state issues from 2014 to 2017.

8 replies on “Burlington City Council Backs del Pozo for Police Chief”

  1. Wow…seeing this happen in Burlington is beyond disappointing. The Mayor and City Council have embraced the new Jim Crow with this hire. They may as well fly the stars and bars at City Hall, for the message this send out is the same. As for Del Pozo’s wife, she is free to stay in New York. Like her racist husband, we do not need her imperious attitude. You better believe he has to face all this criticism and if you don’t like it Mrs. Del Pozo please stay the hell out of Vermont. I hope you get the message and take it personally, by all means.

    The Mayor and City Council have betrayed Burlington, betrayed their own humanity in fact by inflicting this avowed racist on the population of Burlington. I hope the whole lot are thrown out of City Hall, the sooner the better.

  2. “Ed Adrian later took the mic to call critics on their summary link between del Pozo and problematic NYPD policies. “The police chief is being profiled,” he said, noting that opponents were making assumptions about his work at NYPD.”

    Clearly you don’t know what racial profiling is! Come on Ed, wake up. It’s nice for your comfortable white family to have this racist in power…but think of your neighbors.

    It is very disappointing to see the new Jim Crow embraced by so many white Burlingtonians, like you.

  3. Baruch Zeichner’s defamatory comments seem to have no basis in actual fact. It also appears as though Mr. Zeichner does not live or work in or around Burlington – or even Vermont, for that matter. The last thing this city needs is virulent and false slander against the new chief coming from Californians with no stake in the matter.

  4. Congratulations Chief del Pozo!! I appreciate the endorsement by Chief Schirling and in sure you will be a worthy successor. And please tell your family that we welcome you to the community. People like mr. Zeichner do not represent 99% of Burlington residents!!

  5. Actually Nate I have lived most of my life in Vermont and am away right now. Defamation occurs when the information is inaccurate. I think I am citing accurate information. In ALL of this kerfuffle on various web sites I only see white people approving of this hire. Something for you all to think about.

  6. Zeichner carpetbombs his comments on various websites. He is a self-parody of the guilty white liberal. Except that he takes himself seriously and is infatuated with his own political correctness. Too funny.

  8. Great to see logic prevail in City Council. 11-0, the tribe has clearly spoken. The PC vocal minority can move on to look for their next victim.

    Hey Baruch: time will show how mistaken you are. BTW, heard your away for awhile, how’s the looney bin?

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