Burlington City Council confirms Murad as police chief

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - The Burlington City Council in an 8 to 4 vote Monday night confirmed the appointment of Jon Murad to be the city’s police chief.

Murad was named the acting chief of the Burlington Police Department in 2020 and has held the job for 1,089 days. Efforts to get him the permanent job failed when Progressives led an effort to block his confirmation in early 2022 after frustration over what they said was a lack of transparency and accountability in the department.

In announcing his re-appointment two weeks ago, Mayor Miro Weinberger credited Murad with significant gains in transforming the police department and making public safety a top issue. Weinberger Monday urged the council to support his appointment. “We cannot make the urgent progress The people of Burlington are demanding with our police department and with our public safety challenges without the confirmation of Chief Murad tonight,” he said.

Progressives -- and some Democrats -- have said they haven’t seen enough transformation in the issues of oversight, accountability, and no acknowledgment that racial bias exists in the department. They’ve also criticized Murad’s temperament and point to an outstanding complaint of the chief’s conduct towards a UVM ER doctor last year.

Prior to voting, Councilor Ali Dieng, I-Ward 7, said he wanted to see an action plan on how the department can improve and rebuild the trust of the community. “I hope that everyone, whether you vote yes or vote no for him, continue to challenge him to do better for the people of the city that care deeply about the city,” he said. Dieng ended up voting for Murad.

Murad will serve a term as chief for one year.

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