Police Commission
Regular MeetingBurlington, VT · May 26, 2026
Minutes
Police Commission Special Meeting
Tuesday, May 26th, 2026
Remote via Zoom and In-person in Contois Auditorium, City Hall
Burlington, Vermont
DRAFT MINUTES
Members Present: Chair Depper, Commissioner Ginorio, Commissioner Fast, Commissioner
Finneran
Members Online: Commissioner Cox
Staff Present: Interim Chief Burke, Attorney Hayley McClenahan, Council President Ben
Traverse, City Data Analyst Jeff Nicholson, Community Support Supervisor Anna Wageling,
Command Staff Assistant Shibe Couchman online.
1. Agenda
1.1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 6:00pm by Commissioner Depper.
1.2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
Required quorum present.
1.3. Motions for Additions or Modifications to Agenda (Time Limited: 15 Minutes)
N/A
2. Adopt Minutes
2.1. Motion to Adopt Draft Minutes from May 12th, 2026
Chair Depper moves to adopt the previous meeting’s minutes. Commissioner Ginorio seconds.
Unanimously passed.
3. Public Forum (Time Limited: 10 Minutes)
3.1. The Public is Invited to Address the Commission
Councilor Grant comments virtually regarding the March 11th event and reminds everyone of
balance and that not all have the same experience.
4. Police Department Business (Time Limited: 20 Minutes)
4.1 Chief’s Report
Data Analyst Jeff Nicholson goes over the final 2025 data slideshow. The presentation is
regarding Use of Force data.
5. Commission Business (Time Limited: 90 Minutes)
5.1. Committee Reports from All Committees
Complaints Committee – General Info
Animal Control Committee
5.2. Bylaws Discussion, Finalization
Chair Depper moves to approve bylaws, Commissioner Ginorio seconds. Passes unanimously.
5.3. Invitation Letter to Mayor and Council President
Chair Depper moves to adopt the letter. Commissioner Ginorio seconds. Passes.
5.4. Council President Traverse
Council President Traverse offers his input on the discussion of accessing Body-Worn Camera
footage in relation to the Police Department and Police Commission.
5.5. DD45 Discussion
BPD Community Service Supervisor Anna Wageling present for any questions regarding the
CAIP Directive. Chair Depper moves to approve. Commissioner Finneran seconds. Passes.
5.6. Commissioner Cox
Commissioner Cox asks if the Commission would want to / be willing to hear from a Riverside,
CA Police Department around their mental health clinical workers and officers on how they work
with / handle calls regarding individuals with mental health aspects. Commissioner Cox moves
to have Riverside, CA PD individuals speak to the Commission in June. Chair Depper seconds.
Passes unanimously.
5.7. Resolution re: Commission Audit Authority Resolution
Discussed to change the third whereas to have “to collaborate with”. Chair Depper moves to
approve with this addition. Commissioner Ginorio seconds. Passes unanimously.
6. Commendations
N/A
7. Announcement of Next Meeting Date - June 23rd, 2026
8. Proposed Executive Session
8.1. Proposed Executive Session
Discussion of Personnel Discipline Matter and Use of Force Complaint
9. Adjournment
9.1. Motion to Adjourn
The Commission adjourned the public meeting at 7:24pm.
Agenda
Police Commission
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 6:00 PM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium
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1. Agenda
1.1. Call to Order
1.2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
1.3. Additions or Modifications to Agenda
2. Adopt Minutes
2.1. Motion to adopt previous meeting's minutes
3. Public Comment (Time Limited: 10 Minutes)
3.1. The public is invited to address the Commission
4. Police Department Business (Time Limited: 20 Minutes)
4.1. Chief's Report
5. Commission Business (Time Limited 90 Minutes)
5.1. Committee Reports from All Committees
Complaints Committee - General Info
Animal Control Committee
5.2. Bylaws Discussion, Finalization
5.3. Invitation Letter to Mayor and Council President
5.4. Council President Traverse
5.5. DD45 Discussion
5.6. Commissioner Cox
5.7. Resolution re: Commission Audit Authority Resolution
6. Commendations
7. Announcement of Next Meeting Date - 6/23/26
8. Proposed Executive Session
8.1. Proposed Executive Session- Discussion of Personnel Discipline Matter and Use of Force
Complaint
9. Adjournment
9.1. Motion to Adjourn
10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Subject 10.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
Meeting May 26, 2026 - Police Commission Meeting - Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 6:00 PM,
Zoom/Contois Auditorium
Category 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Department Council and Board
Type
Packet
Police Commission
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 6:00 PM, Zoom/Contois Auditorium
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87683690786
Phone one-tap:
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+16469313860,,87683690786# US
Join via audio:
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+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 689 278 1000 US
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+1 253 205 0468 US
Webinar ID: 876 8369 0786
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/knaPZxGb3
1. Agenda
1.1. Call to Order
1.2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
1.3. Additions or Modifications to Agenda
2. Adopt Minutes
2.1. Motion to adopt previous meeting's minutes
3. Public Comment (Time Limited: 10 Minutes)
3.1. The public is invited to address the Commission
4. Police Department Business (Time Limited: 20 Minutes)
Page 1 of 88
4.1. Chief's Report
5. Commission Business (Time Limited 90 Minutes)
5.1. Committee Reports from All Committees
Complaints Committee - General Info
Animal Control Committee
5.2. Bylaws Discussion, Finalization
5.3. Invitation Letter to Mayor and Council President
5.4. Council President Traverse
5.5. DD45 Discussion
5.6. Commissioner Cox
5.7. Resolution re: Commission Audit Authority Resolution
6. Commendations
7. Announcement of Next Meeting Date - 6/23/26
8. Proposed Executive Session
8.1. Proposed Executive Session- Discussion of Personnel Discipline Matter and Use of Force
Complaint
9. Adjournment
9.1. Motion to Adjourn
10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Subject 10.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more
information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records
Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities
who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged
to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in
advance so that proper arrangements can be made. This meeting will also air
on Town Meeting TV the Wednesday after the meeting, starting at 8:00 pm and
repeating at 1:00 am and 7:00 am the following day. The City of Burlington will
not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status,
disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information.
Meeting May 26, 2026 - Police Commission Meeting - Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 6:00 PM,
Zoom/Contois Auditorium
Category 10. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Department Council and Board
Type
Page 2 of 88
Police Commission Special Meeting
Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
Remote via Zoom and In-person in Sharon Bushor Conference Room City Hall
Burlington, Vermont
DRAFT MINUTES
Members Present: Chair Depper, Commissioner Ginorio
Members Online: Commissioner Cox, Commissioner Finneran, Commissioner Fast,
Commissioner Paul
Staff Present: Interim Chief Burke, Attorney Hayley McClenahan, Command Staff Assistant
Shibe Couchman online.
1. Agenda
1.1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 5:02pm by Commissioner Depper.
1.2. Roll Call and Determination of Quorum
Required quorum present.
1.3. Motions for Additions or Modifications to Agenda (Time Limited: 15 Minutes)
Chair Depper motions to add Commissioner Fast completing her oath for the Police Commission
to the top of the agenda right before the adoption of minutes. Commissioner Ginorio seconds.
Passes unanimously.
2. Commissioner Fast Commission Swearing-In
Commissioner Fast is virtually sworn in by Chief Burke.
3. Adopt Minutes
2.1. Motion to Adopt Draft Minutes from April 28th, 2026
Chair Depper moves to adopt, Commissioner Ginorio seconds. Passes unanimously.
4. Public Forum (Time Limited: 10 Minutes)
4.1. The Public is Invited to Address the Commission
Laura Ullman asks why the meeting is to mostly be in Executive Session. It is clarified that only
personnel issues will be discussed, not the report of the mayor.
5. Motion to Approve Bylaws as Written
5.1 Bylaws Motion
Commissioner Ginorio brings forward that in section 14.3 the wording may be confusing.
Commissioner Cox says that the last sentence does not make sense to her. Commissioner Cox
motions to add the word “also” into the second sentence, Commissioner Ginorio seconds. Passes
unanimously.
Page 3 of 88
Commissioner Cox moves to say that instead of saying DD40 and the Complaint Policy of the
day it was adopted, say “will follow Commission Policy and Department Directive”. Chair
Depper seconds. Passes unanimously.
Chair Depper moves to adopt the bylaws as written, with the modifications in mind, as the
Burlington Police Commission Bylaws. Commissioner Ginorio seconds. Passes unanimously.
Written and amended as of May 12th.
6. Proposed Executive Session
6.1. Proposed Executive Session – Personnel Discussion, March 11th Mutual Aid Response
Motioned by Chair Depper. Seconded by Commissioner Ginorio. Passes unanimously.
7. Announcement of Next Meeting Date
May 26th, 2026.
8. Adjournment
8.1. Motion to Adjourn
The Commission adjourned the public meeting at 5:26pm.
Page 4 of 88
Annual Report
MAY 26, 2026
USE OF FORCE
Page 5 of 88
Definitions & Methodology
What is a Use of Force?
According to the BPD’s Department Directive 05 (Use of Force Policy), force is “physical coercion employed by a
law-enforcement officer to compel a person’s compliance with the officer’s instructions. For the purpose of this
policy, this includes all law-enforcement actions beyond compliant handcuffing.”
Where is the data stored?
Since July 2025, Use of Force reports & data have been stored in Axon.
Prior to Axon, BPD has used Valcour, Benchmark, and FACTS dating back to 2012.
Datasets have been combined mostly seamlessly, with a few data points that don’t always translate across
systems.
Person-incidents
Unless otherwise noted, these figures use person-incidents to count uses of force.
If two people are involved in an incident and the police use force against both, it is counted as two uses of force.
Response to Resistance vs. Protocol
For certain incidents (ERU Operations, Drug Sale, Search Warrant, Stolen Vehicle), a use of force such as a
displayed firearm is part of response protocol. Some figures are presented with those incidents separated, where
appropriate. Slides labeled ‘Protocol’ will be looking at those incident types, while those labeled ‘Responses to
Resistance’ will be looking at all others. Some Recovered Property incidents from 2025 were reviewed and
categorized as Stolen Vehicle incidents.
Page 6 of 88
Total Counts
Page 7 of 88
Uses of Force, 2012 - 2025
Responses to
Resistance
Data
1/1/2012 –
12/31/2025
Page 8 of 88
Uses of Force and Total Incidents, 2012 - 2025
Responses to
Uses of Force Resistance Total Incidents
Data
1/1/2012 –
12/31/2025
Page 9 of 88
Uses of Force, 2012 - 2025
Protocol
Protocol
incidents:
ERU
Operations,
Drugs – Sale,
Data Search
1/1/2012 – Warrant,
12/31/2025 Stolen Vehicle
Page 10 of 88
Uses of Force by Race
Page 11 of 88
Uses of Force by Race, 2012 - 2025
Responses to
Resistance
Data
1/1/2012 –
12/31/2025
Page 12 of 88
Subjects of Force by Race, 2012 - 2025
Responses to
Resistance
Data
1/1/2012 –
12/31/2025
Page 13 of 88
Subjects of Force by Race, 2012 - 2025
Responses to
Resistance
In 2025, 14% of
white subjects
had multiple use
of force incidents,
and 11% of black
subjects had
multiple use of
force incidents.
Across all years,
14% of black
subjects of force
had multiple use of
force incidents in a
year, compared to
10% of white
subjects
Data
1/1/2012 –
12/31/2025
Page 14 of 88
Uses of Force by Race, 2012 - 2025
Protocol
Protocol
incidents:
ERU
Operations,
Drugs – Sale,
Data Search
1/1/2012 – Warrant,
12/31/2025 Stolen Vehicle
Page 15 of 88
BPD Interactions, Arrests, and Uses of Force
by Race, 2012 - 2025
White
An
‘interaction’ is
any person
tied to an
incident for
any reason.
Data
1/1/2012 –
12/31/2025
Page 16 of 88
BPD Interactions, Arrests, and Uses of Force
by Race, 2012 - 2025
Black
An
‘interaction’ is
any person
tied to an
incident for
any reason.
Data
1/1/2012 –
12/31/2025
Page 17 of 88
BPD Interactions, Arrests, and Uses of Force
by Race, 2012 - 2025
Asian
An
‘interaction’ is
any person
tied to an
incident for
any reason.
Data
1/1/2012 –
12/31/2025
Page 18 of 88
Incidents, Arrests, and Location
Page 19 of 88
Uses of Force by Incident Type
Note: Average and Difference
column have been rounded and may Filtered to rows where the
Data 1/1/2021 – 12/31/2025 not add up to the 2025 count. 2025 count is 2 or higher.
Page 20 of 88
Top Percentage of Incidents where
Force was Used, 2025
Data
1/1/2025 –
12/31/2025
Filtered to incidents that
occurred at least 20 times .
Page 21 of 88
Top Percentage of Arrests where
Force was Used, 2025
Data 1/1/2025 – 12/31/2025
Only showing charges that
occurred at least 5 times.
Page 22 of 88
Uses of Force and Incidents by Area, 2025
Data ~200 incidents not
1/1/2025 – shown due to missing
12/31/2025 Area data
Page 23 of 88
Use of Force Incidents and Total Incidents
by Area, 2025
Note: Counting incidents where
Data ~200 incidents not
any use of force occurred,
1/1/2025 – shown due to missing
regardless of the number of
12/31/2025 Area data
uses.
Page 24 of 88
Use of Force Details
Page 25 of 88
Uses of Force by Force Type by Race, 2025
Responses to
Resistance
Weaponless: Noncompliant
handcuffing, soft empty hands,
Data Note: Multiple force types can be used tackling, joint locks, etc.
1/1/2025 – in a single interaction, so the sum can
Weapon Threat: Taser or OC Spray
12/31/2025 be greater than the total.
threatened but not used.
Page 26 of 88
Uses of Force by Force Type by Race, 2025
Protocol
Protocol Weaponless: Noncompliant
incidents: handcuffing, soft empty hands,
ERU Operations, tackling, joint locks, etc.
Data Note: Multiple force types can be used
Drugs – Sale,
1/1/2025 – in a single interaction, so the sum can Search Warrant, Weapon Threat: Taser or OC Spray
12/31/2025 be greater than the total. Stolen Vehicle threatened but not used.
Page 27 of 88
Uses of Force and Resulting Injuries by Race, 2025
Responses to
Resistance
Of the 28 reported subject
injuries, 2 were listed as
Moderate (potentially
dislocated shoulder/elbow),
both of White subjects.
The remaining 26 Minor injuries
varied, but common injuries
Data
include irritation from OC spray
1/1/2025 – and lacerations on hands or
12/31/2025 face.
Page 28 of 88
Firearms
Page 29 of 88
Uses of Force where a Firearm is
pointed or displayed, 2012 - 2025
Responses to
Resistance
Note: the vast majority (of
Data 2025) firearm uses of force
1/1/2012 – were firearm pointed, as
12/31/2025 opposed to displayed.
Page 30 of 88
Uses of Force where a Firearm is
pointed or displayed, 2012 - 2025
Responses to
Resistance
Note: Average and Difference
column have been rounded and may
not add up to the 2025 count.
Note: one Assist – Agency
incident responsible for 8 of
Data these 2025 uses of force
1/1/2021 – (Burglary called in by
12/31/2025 Colchester PD)
Page 31 of 88
Uses of Force where a Firearm is
pointed or displayed, 2012 - 2025
Protocol
Protocol
incidents:
ERU
Operations,
Drugs – Sale,
Data Search
1/1/2012 – Warrant,
12/31/2025 Stolen Vehicle
Page 32 of 88
Uses of Force where a Firearm is
pointed or displayed, 2012 - 2025
Responses to
Resistance
Data
1/1/2012 –
12/31/2025
Page 33 of 88
Uses of Force where a Firearm is
pointed or displayed, 2012 - 2025
Responses to
Resistance
Displayed as a
percentage of all
uses of force for that
race.
I.e.. 35% of uses of
force on white
Data subjects involved a
1/1/2012 – pointed or displayed
12/31/2025 firearm.
Page 34 of 88
Uses of Force where a Firearm is
pointed or displayed, 2012 - 2025
Protocol
Protocol
incidents:
ERU
Operations,
Drugs – Sale,
Data Search
1/1/2012 – Warrant,
12/31/2025 Stolen Vehicle
Page 35 of 88
Uses of Force where a Firearm is
pointed or displayed, 2012 - 2025
Protocol
Protocol
incidents:
ERU
Operations,
Drugs – Sale,
Search
Warrant,
Stolen Vehicle
Displayed as a
percentage of all
uses of force for that
race.
I.e.. 90% of uses of
force on white
Data subjects involved a
1/1/2012 – pointed or displayed
12/31/2025 firearm.
Page 36 of 88
Gunfire Use of Force Incidents
Data
1/1/2012 – Incidents where an
12/31/2025 officer fired a gun.
Page 37 of 88
Page 38 of 88
City of Burlington, Vermont
Board of Police Commissioners
Bylaws
Preamble and Authority
1. Who We Are and Where Our Authority Comes From
The Burlington Board of Police Commissioners (the “Commission” or “BPC”) was created by
the Burlington City Charter (24 App. V.S.A. ch. 3, §§ 120, 126, 183, and 184). The Commission
also operates under authority given by the City Council through city ordinances, resolutions,
union contracts, and police department rules.
These bylaws set out how the Commission runs its internal business. All Commission actions
must stay within the authority that the law and the City Council have given us.
2. Guiding Principles
In carrying out their duties, Commissioners shall:
2.1 Treat fellow Commissioners, city staff, police department staff, and members of the public
with respect and good faith;
2.2 Come to meetings prepared for open and engaged discussion, having reviewed material
available in advance, being mindful of their time speaking and always assuming the best in
one another;
2.3 Follow Vermont’s Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. §§ 310–314) and Public Records Act (1
V.S.A. §§ 315–320);
2.4 Act fairly and without bias, especially when deciding appeals or complaints;
2.5 When speaking publicly, clearly distinguish between a personal opinion and the official
position of the Commission; and
2.6 Give fair consideration to the interests of all people and groups affected by Commission
decisions.
Purpose and Goals
3. What the Commission Does
The Commission’s job is to carry out the police oversight, policy review, disciplinary appeals,
and community accountability responsibilities that the City Council and the law have given it;
while preserving the operational authority of the Chief of Police except where otherwise
provided.
Page 39 of 88
4. Commission Goals
The Commission’s goals are to:
4.1 Promote fairness and equal treatment in public safety;
4.2 Support transparency and accountability in policing; and
4.3 Give the community a structured way to provide feedback and oversight, and to help build
trust between the Burlington Police Department (“BPD”) and the public.
Powers and Responsibilities
5. What the Commission Is Authorized to Do
Under the Burlington City Charter and City Council policy, the Commission has the following
duties and powers:
5.1 Provide civilian oversight and help manage the Burlington Police Department as directed by
state law, city ordinances, and the City Council;
5.2 Conduct audits, reviews, and evaluations of police department policies, directives, or data on
discipline, racial disparities, or other Commission priorities;
5.3 Review complaints from the public against BPD employees and review how the Police Chief
responds to those complaints;
5.4 Hear appeals from police officers or employees who believe the Police Chief unfairly fired,
suspended, or demoted them. The Commission in a timely manner may uphold, change, or
reverse the Chief’s decision;
5.5 Approve the Chief’s appointment of temporary or special police officers for up to one year;
and
5.6 Oversee animal control policy as required by city ordinance.
Officers of the Commission
6. Leadership Structure: Co-Chairs or Chair and Vice-Chair
6.1 At the July organizational meeting each year, the Commission shall choose its leadership
structure by majority vote and elect officers. The Commission may choose either: (a) two
Co-Chairs, who will share the duties of the presiding officer by mutual agreement; or (b) a
Chair and a Vice-Chair. The choice of structure and the election of officers happen at the
same time and apply for that year.
6.2 Any Commissioner may nominate someone, including themselves.
Page 40 of 88
6.3 Officers serve for one year, or until new officers are elected.
6.4 If one Co-Chair steps down, the remaining Co-Chair takes on all duties until the Commission
elects a replacement. If both Co-Chairs (or the Chair) step down or are unavailable, the
longest-serving Commissioner present takes over as acting chair until the Commission elects
someone new.
7. Duties of the Chair (or Co-Chairs)
The Chair, or Co-Chairs sharing duties by mutual agreement, shall:
7.1 Run all Commission meetings and make rulings on questions of procedure;
7.2 Run meetings efficiently and respectfully, making sure all Commissioners have a chance to
be heard;
7.3 Set and publish meeting agendas with input from all Commissioners, including regular items
like the Police Chief’s report, policy updates, use-of-force reports, and commendations;
7.4 Make sure meetings are properly announced and run in line with Vermont’s Open Meeting
Law;
7.5 Speak on behalf of the Commission on official actions, policy recommendations, and public
matters, while clearly noting any personal views and acknowledging different perspectives;
7.6 Write the Commission’s Annual Report, share a draft with all Commissioners for review and
input, and get each Commissioner’s signature before submitting it to the City Council;
7.7 Make sure meeting minutes are accurately prepared and posted publicly;
7.8 Make sure closed (executive) sessions are held only for lawful purposes under 1 V.S.A. §
313, and that only properly noticed topics are discussed; and
7.9 Make sure no major policy recommendation, complaint decision, or communication to the
Mayor or City Council goes out without approval from a majority of the Commission with
notation of Commissioner votes.
8. Duties of the Vice-Chair
The Vice-Chair shall:
8.1 Fill in for the Chair whenever the Chair is absent, has a conflict of interest, or is otherwise
unavailable;
8.2 Help the Chair with administrative and procedural tasks as needed; and
8.3 Take over as acting Chair if the Chair steps down, until the Commission elects a new Chair.
Page 41 of 88
Meetings
9. Regular and Special Meetings
9.1 Regular meetings shall be held in a publicly accessible location with proper public notice
under Vermont’s Open Meeting Law.
9.2 The Chair may cancel a regular meeting when necessary, after consulting with the full
Commission, and must post public notice on the City and Commission websites.
9.3 The Chair may call special meetings with at least 24 hours’ notice to all Commissioners and
the public, as long as enough Commissioners can attend to form a quorum.
10. Agendas and How Meetings Are Run
10.1 Commissioners are encouraged to submit agenda items to the Chair at least five calendar
days before a meeting. Reasonable and relevant requests will be honored.
10.2 Once an agenda is posted, it can only be changed by a two-thirds vote of the
Commissioners present at the meeting.
10.3 Supporting materials should be sent to Commissioners and the Police Chief (or their
representative) at least two calendar days before the meeting, when possible.
10.4 Meetings will generally follow Robert’s Rules of Order, unless the Chair decides
otherwise.
11. Public Participation
11.1 Members of the public are encouraged to attend all public meetings.
11.2 During public comment, each person may speak for up to four minutes. The presiding
officer may extend this time at their discretion based on the nature or complexity of the
comments. Time limits may not be applied based on what someone is saying or their point of
view. The presiding officer may only stop a comment that is patently offensive. If there are
many speakers, the Commission may shorten individual speaking times by majority vote.
11.3 Dialogue and back-and-forth discussion with members of the public may happen only
when the Chair or a majority of the Commission approves it.
12. Attendance
Commissioners are strongly encouraged to attend meetings in person. If attending by video
conference, Commissioners should keep their cameras on when possible. Missing more than six
meetings in a calendar year — whether in person or online — may result in the Chair
recommending to the City Council that the Commissioner be removed, after first discussing the
absences with that Commissioner.
Page 42 of 88
Committees
13. Standing and Ad Hoc Committees
13.1 Committee work should be shared among Commissioners.
13.2 The full Commission will discuss who serves on standing and ad hoc committees.
Appointments are made on a volunteer basis. The Chair will encourage members to step up,
including serving on committees themselves.
14. Citizen Complaints Subcommittee
14.1 At least two Commissioners shall serve on the Citizen Complaints Subcommittee. The
Chair or Vice-Chair may also serve as a member.
14.2 Subcommittee members serve for six-month terms, so that all Commissioners have a
chance to serve during their time on the Commission.
14.3 Subcommittee members review all complaints and the Police Chief’s response. The
subcommittee shall draft recommendations and bring them to the full Commission. The full
Commission votes on the recommendations. Commissioners may amend, vote yes, vote no,
or abstain; following Commission policy and Police Department Directives. The final written
recommendation — including how each Commissioner voted — is sent to the Mayor’s
office. Any Commissioner may write a separate minority recommendation. In the event a
majority of the subcommittee cannot agree on an action the matter will also be elevated to the
full Commission to discuss.
15. Animal Control Committee
Commissioners serve on the Animal Control Committee as required by city ordinance.
Conflicts of Interest
16. Conflicts of Interest
Under City Charter § 133, Commissioners must disclose any real or potential conflict of interest
and step aside from any matter where they have a conflict. Commissioners are encouraged to
contact the City Attorney confidentially if they need guidance on whether a conflict exists.
Changing These Bylaws
17. How to Amend These Bylaws
These bylaws may be changed by a majority vote at a properly noticed public meeting, consistent
with Vermont’s Open Meeting Law.
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Burlington Board of Police Commissioners
City of Burlington, Vermont
149 Church Street • Burlington, VT 05401
May 15, 2026
The Honorable Emma Mulvaney-Stanak
Mayor, City of Burlington
149 Church Street
Burlington, Vermont 05401
The Honorable Ben Traverse
President, Burlington City Council
149 Church Street
Burlington, Vermont 05401
Re: Invitation to the Burlington Board of Police Commissioners — May 26, 2026
Dear Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak and Council President Traverse,
At its public meeting on April 28, 2026, the Burlington Board of Police Commissioners voted to extend
a formal invitation for you to attend and participate in a portion of the Commission’s next scheduled
meeting, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Contois Auditorium, Burlington City Hall.
The Commission would like to discuss two things with you directly. The first is how our oversight
authority is understood by the administration and the City Council. As you know, the Police
Commission has authority and responsibility relating to the police department as may be delegated
from time to time by resolution of the City Council. We are grateful for the support and confidence
the City Council has given us over the years and take this responsibility to the council and the mayor
seriously, along with our commitment to the community.
At its October 18, 2021, meeting, the City Council passed a resolution authorizing the Commission to
start audits, reviews, and evaluations of police department policies, directives, and data — including
access to videos, which we now call body-worn camera footage. We want to make sure we have a
shared understanding of what that authority means in practice.
The second is the Commission’s request for body-worn camera footage from the March 11, 2026, ICE
action and protest in South Burlington. We would welcome the chance to talk through that experience
openly and to discuss how records requests under our oversight authority will be handled going
forward.
Please be in touch with us should your schedules more easily accommodate being on our May 26
agenda at a time certain and we will include this on our agenda.
We look forward to working to build a strong collaborative relationship that allows us to continue
our authorized work.
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Respectfully,
Robert Depper, Chair
Burlington Board of Police Commissioners
cc:
City Attorney Hayley McClanahan
Chief of Police Shawn Burke
Burlington Board of Police Commissioners (all members)
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BURLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT DIRECTIVE
DD45 Crisis, Advocacy, Intervention Programs
Reviewed and published Month Date, Year
______________________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to define and contextualize the day-to-day
functioning of positions assigned to the Crisis, Advocacy, Intervention Program
(CAIP) of the department. The civilian employees who make up CAIP work to
address the underlying social service needs of individuals who intersect with the
public safety system, as well as provide a real-time response to needs outside of
the scope of law enforcement. These positions seek to diversify the first responder
field with positions that can assist with issues outside of the scope of public safety
and law enforcement. Members of CAIP actively work to bridge growing gaps in
social services by addressing unmet needs and decreasing a person’s reliance on
public systems such as police and fire to meet those needs.
POLICY: To provide sensitive, fair, and high-quality social services to the citizens of
Burlington through professional assistance that best meets the needs of the
circumstances and the person.
CONTENTS: I. Department Specific Expectations for Civilian Employees
II. Community Support Liaison (CSL) Team Structure and Work
III. Domestic Violence Victim Advocate (DVVA) Position
IV. Victim Services Specialist (VSS) Position
V. Utilization of Abandoned Property by CAIP
VI. Addendum
______________________________________________________________________________
I. DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES
Each member of the Crisis, Advocacy, Intervention Program (CAIP) Unit is responsible for
understanding multiple department directives. The following directives can be found online on
the PowerDMS platform. Each member of CAIP is expected to read and sign off on
understanding the nature of each directive.
A. Directive List:
1. DD01: Law Enforcement Role & Authority, Ethics, Organizational Structure &
Department Rules
2. DD02.01 Shift Assignments, Areas, Supervision, Notifications, & Facility
Inspections
3. DD0202: Grooming Standards, Uniforms, Equipment, Inspections, & Use of Tobacco
Products
4. DD03: Statewide Policy on Fair and Impartial Policing
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5. DD04: Operation of Police Vehicles, Response Codes, Pursuits
6. DD10: Evidence, Contraband, Found Property
7. DD11: Victim Witness Assistance
8. DD13.01: Interacting with Persons with Limited English Proficiency
9. DD 13.02: Interacting with Persons with Disabilities
10. DD13.03: Interacting with Persons with Diminished Capacity
11. DD21.02: Domestic Violence by Law Enforcement Employees-Prevention & Early
Warning Initiatives
12. DD28: Information Technology & Electronic Communication
13. DD30: Public Information
14. DD31: Ride Along Program
15. DD33: Juvenile Operations
16. DD37: Training
17. DD38: Department Property & Purchasing Orders
18. DD39: Personnel
19. DD40: Quality Control, Internal Investigations & Discipline
20. DD42.01: City Access Cards & Facility Access
21. DD43: Reporting Corruption & Misconduct
22. Valcour User Agreement
23. City of Burlington Personnel Policy Manual
24. AFSCME Union Contract
25. Applicable Job Description
II. COMMUNITY SUPPORT LIAISON (CSL) TEAM STRUCTURE AND WORK
A Community Support Liaison is responsible for responding to requests for assistance from the
dispatch center and the public, where elements of a crime or safety concern have not been
reported.
A. Community Support Liaison Team Purpose
1. The CSL team and CAIP manager work in collaboration with the Officer in Charge of
the Uniform Services Bureau to address calls for service that can be safely and
effectively addressed by the CSL team.
2. On occasion, members of the team will work collaboratively with members of the
Detective Services Bureau and its respective supervisors.
3. Proactive assistance is also expected to be offered, as an additional intention of the
program is to reduce the workload of officers, specifically when a law enforcement
presence is not necessary, but a skilled, knowledgeable professional is still needed.
4. Proactive work assists with reducing community members’ reliance on emergency
care systems by providing individuals with pathways to sustained support and
recovery.
5. The team engages in forensic social work, which is a specialized area within the
social work profession. It employs an integrative approach, encompassing generalist,
specialized, and collaborative methods, in serving diverse populations affected by
civil and/or criminal legal issues. This work merges core social work principles (e.g..,
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Crisis, Advocacy, Intervention Programs (Month Date, Year)
person-centered, trauma-informed, strength-based approaches, including harm
reduction) with a specialized understanding to address both social functioning and
broader socio-legal environment.
B. CSL Team Structure and Scope
1. The CSL position functions as both a generalist and a specialist. They are required to
have a deep understanding of what social service resources exist in the community, as
well as a general knowledge of the criminal and civil justice systems.
2. Service provision completed by a CSL is typically done in the community, unless
someone is physically seeking assistance at 1 North Avenue.
3. CSLs are supervised by the CAIP manager.
4. The CSL team schedule rotates monthly and consists of four ten-hour shifts per week.
There are two CSLs scheduled per shift, except for weekends when there is one CSL
per shift. The first shift is 0800-1800 or 0900-1900. Second shift is 1100-2100. Both
shifts have flexible schedules, often guided by client needs. All schedules will be
accurately reflected in PowerTime and UKG by the CAIP manager.
5. The administration of the police department reserves all rights with respect to
schedule changes as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between the City
of Burlington and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal
Employees (AFSCME).
6. To best serve the department and the community, the schedule is structured to
maximize CSL availability and allow time for proactive work, which is necessary to
address recidivism.
7. When four CSLs (two first shift and two second shift) are scheduled, one CSL from
each shift will be designated as the primary CSL. The primary CSL shall:
a. Prioritize responding to calls for assistance from dispatch (police and fire).
b. Will enter P in the notes line of Valcour to alert dispatch who the primary is.
c. Show themselves as “10-8/Available for calls” in the Valcour system during
any foot patrols, community outreach, or encampment outreach. The CSL will
have their radios on and are expected to wear their earpieces.
d. Not engage in any service coordination activities.
8. When three CSLs (one of one shift and two of another) are scheduled, the shift that
has two CSLs scheduled will designate one of the CSLs as the primary CSL.
9. If there are two CSLs (one on each shift) scheduled, each will be considered the
primary CSL for their respective shift.
10. If there are two CSLs on the same shift, one CSL will be considered primary.
11. A CSL is a mandated reporter per Title 33, VSA 4913 & VSA 6902. HIPAA
restrictions apply to some of their work.
12. A CSL is a public servant. As a public servant, refusal of service is limited to
circumstances where it is unsafe for a CSL to engage, either independently or in
tandem. No other forms of denial are approved without speaking to the CAIP
manager before refusal of service. If a provider requests that a CSL not respond or
limit support, the CSL shall:
a. explain to the provider why refusal of service is not an option.
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b. clarify the role of the CSL, and the intention is to support, and solve problems
in the moment, not to duplicate service provision.
c. work collaboratively with community providers to the best of their ability.
d. report any communication breakdowns or pushback to the CAIP manager.
C. Workflows and Use of Law Enforcement Records Management System
1. All personnel within CAIP shall engage in both reactive and proactive work. Some
positions are intended to respond to field-based requests for service, while other
positions (i.e., DVVA and VSS) only complete reactive work if a community member
comes to the building seeking support.
2. Reactive work is defined as activities related to real-time requests for assistance that
come through the police department’s dispatch center. The call types a CSL can
respond to vary, depending on the information initially provided.
3. Proactive work is defined as an activity that is not considered urgent and involves
elements of community engagement, outreach, or case management services.
a. Use of the Valcour System
i. Valcour is the state of Vermont’s law enforcement records
management system, governed by Title 1, VSA 317.
ii. For the CSL team to maintain safety as civilian responders, the
positions have access to the law enforcement information management
system, referred to as Valcour.
iii. Civilian positions, including CAIP positions, are only permitted to
view incidents directly related to their job duties.
iv. No position under CAIP is permitted to view outside law enforcement
agencies’ incidents unless otherwise specified in this policy.
v. CAIP personnel shall be familiar with the expectations of use that all
Valcour users agree to, in order to access the system. For the purposes
of this policy, all CAIP personnel shall understand:
1. General data is defined as data that includes dates and times of
incidents; biographical information such as race, gender, and age that
does not personally identify an individual, general vehicle information,
excluding biographical information, general incident type, crime,
violation, or ordinance reporting; and location information such as
street and intersection, but not street number or other exact geo-
referenced location, and any other data approved by the Valcour
Board.
2. Specific Data is all other data not defined as general data is specific
data, which includes, but is not limited to: individual incident reports,
narratives, documents, images, video, audio, and the identities of any
person involved in an incident including staff personal identifying
information such as names, dates of birth, or license numbers, specific
street addresses (by street number), and information related to any
event that has been partitioned or blocked by a user or agency because
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disclosure of any fragment of the incident would compromise an
ongoing investigation.
3. Any release of specific data must be done by, or with the express
consent of the primary investigating agency (the ORI that originates
the data).
4. Incident numbers that originate from this department can be shared
for the purpose of making a records request. Incident numbers
originating outside this agency cannot be shared.
5. That prioritizing their active/inactive status on the Valcour
dashboard is essential to their safety in the field, as well as ensuring
dispatch personnel have a real-time understanding of deployable
resources. Repeated failures to do so will result in disciplinary
measures. For information related to the disciplinary process, see
department directive DD40 and the Comprehensive City Personnel
Policy Manual.
6. Misuse of Valcour, and any of its related information, is grounds
for disciplinary measures. Suspected misuse will be reported to the
CAIP manager and deputy chief of administration as soon as they
become aware.
4. Reactive Work
a. When engaging in reactive work, a CSL or CAIP manager team shall:
i. be dispatched as the primary first responder.
ii. be dispatched to a scene after an officer has arrived.
iii. receive referrals after an officer has left the scene.
iv. contact dispatch at the start/end of shift to report they are on/off duty.
This ensures that sworn supervisors and dispatch have an accurate
understanding of resources available.
v. accurately reflect their status in Valcour when engaging in work
related to answering the CSL phone line by creating and attaching
themselves to an incident.
vi. not view any incident of any other police department in the Valcour
system. If a community member needs assistance with obtaining
information from another department, the CSL or team supervisor can
inform them of the correct agency but nothing additional. The CSL or
team supervisor can research the respective agency’s non-emergency
number or process specific to making a records request, as additional
information that can be provided to the caller.
b. Calls from Dispatch
i. One of the core functions of the CSL position is to respond to requests
for assistance from the department's dispatch center.
ii. If the CSL or team supervisor is responding independently in the field
or to the department lobbies, as requested by dispatch, they shall:
1. open the incident to read the dispatch narrative.
2. look at the person’s recent history listed under their name
jacket.
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3. open and read dispatch narratives of same day incidents (i.e.
person attached to the incident had multiple contacts in the same
day). This allows the team members to ensure they have a more
complete understanding of the state of the person on scene and that
they are the most appropriate resource.
4. Do not click into incident details they are not directly
responding to unless it is necessary to assist with the response or
paperwork related to a court process.
5. not view attachments within an incident that are not necessary
for completing paperwork. The CSL or team supervisors shall not
view them without explicit permission from the referring officer or
Officer in Charge.
6. have their radio and/or department issued cell phone on their
person when in the field.
7. report all denials of service to the CAIP Manager.
c. Mental Health Incidents
i. CSLs can be primary responders on mental health incidents only if
Street Outreach is unavailable.
ii. If a CSL is dispatched to a mental health incident, the CSL shall:
1. view the Valcour dashboard to check if there is a more
appropriate resource available.
2. follow steps 1-3 under section ‘Calls from Dispatch’.
3. Only view incident details of other mental health call types
within the last 30 days for the purpose of coordinating response
and potential referral to outside agency.
4. update the Street Outreach Team when there is an ongoing
history of response from their team.
5. update First Call if the person threatens harm to themselves or
others due to the significance of their mental health issue.
6. check in with the Officer in Charge if there is any element of
safety concern for the person or the community.
d. Welfare Check Incidents
i. Welfare check incidents are defined as incidents where the caller is
expressing concern for an individual’s welfare and is requesting
someone to be checked on, either in the field or at their home.
ii. A CSL can be assigned as the primary responder for welfare checks.
iii. When responding to a welfare check, a CSL or team supervisor shall:
1. speak with the caller for additional information as needed, as
well as follow up with the caller to report the outcome of their
efforts if permitted by the person of interest (POI). This should
not extend beyond an update of “contact was made” if the POI
does not give express permission for the sharing of
information.
2. look at the person’s history to see if there has been any recent
activity.
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3. look at the dispatch narratives of any recent contact within the
last 30 days. Incident details can only be viewed if the
originating agency is Burlington and the information is
necessary to determine the next steps.
4. contact the hospital or other agencies the individual is known
to interact with to see if there was admittance or recent contact,
prior to dispatching to any location.
5. upon arriving on scene of a dwelling, attempt to make contact
by knocking loudly on the door. If possible, they can check in
with neighbors to inquire about activity at the dwelling.
6. while on scene, assess their surroundings for evidence that
7. may require additional follow-up (e.g. buildup of mail at the
home, car in the driveway, but no response at the door,
windows, or door ajar with the appearance of an empty
dwelling, a strong odor).
8. report all outcomes (e.g. contact made, contact not made, or
concern) back to the Officer in Charge prior to the end of their
shift.
9. complete an incident narrative by the end of shift.
e. Overdose Incidents
i. A CSL can be the first responder on an overdose incident reported
directly to the police department or fire department dispatch.
ii. A CSL can respond independently or co-respond with a police officer.
iii. If a CSL is co-responding with a police officer, the police officer will
be considered the primary responder. A CSL can become primary if
the officer deems there is no need for them to be on scene.
iv. When deployed to an overdose incident, a CSL shall:
1. follow steps i & vi under section a: Calls from Dispatch.
2. have ready access to Naloxone (i.e. in CSL vehicle or on
person).
3. check in with scene commander upon arrival.
f. Public Assist and Threats/Harassment Incidents
i. Public assist incidents are defined as incidents where there is a request
for assistance with no elements of a crime being reported, but the
person is still in need of support.
ii. Threats/Harassment incidents are defined as incidents where an
individual reports having been threatened verbally, but the information
provided does not meet the statute of criminal threatening (i.e., 13
VSA § 1702).
iii. A CSL can be the primary responder for a public assist or
threats/harassment.
iv. If a CSL is assigned to a public assist, they shall:
1. follow steps i through vi under section a: Calls from Dispatch.
2. report any change of circumstance that has the potential to
impact law enforcement or warrants Officer follow up to the
OIC and CAIP manager.
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v. If a CSL is assigned to a threats/harassment incident:
1. follow steps i through vi under section a: Calls from Dispatch.
2. offer assistance with completing court paperwork and explain
court processes related to no stalking or relief of abuse orders if
applicable.
3. immediately confer with OIC if additional details provided
appear to be criminal in nature.
g. Calls from the Community
i. The CSL Team, CAIP Manager, Victim Service Specialist (VSS), and
Domestic Violence Victim Advocate (DVVA) positions all have
publicized phone numbers that allow for direct calls that come from
outside the dispatch system. The guidance below is specific to the CSL
and CAIP manager.
ii. The CSL and CAIP manager shall:
1. gather as much pertinent information as possible, to include
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and details around the
request(s) being made.
2. create an incident that is reflective of one of the following call
types: public assist, service coordination, community outreach,
or encampment outreach.
3. refer the call back to dispatch if the information provided does
not fit the above call types.
iii. Community members will contact the CAIP staff with questions
around information specific to an incident. The CSL and CAIP
manager shall:
1. assist the individual in making a records request online, if the
caller is interested.
2. not provide additional information to the caller that the caller
does not already know.
3. provide the name of the primary officer if there are questions
related to a specific Burlington Police Department case. The
team member can offer to email the officer to let them know
about the interaction.
4. not share any information related to pending investigations.
Pending investigations are considered any incident that is
showing as ‘pending’ or ‘ready for approval’ in the system.
Non-pending incidents will show as ‘approved’. The team
member may offer to transfer the call to the OIC.
5. provide the necessary information that is required by state title
13 VSA 5314 to a caller who identifies as a victim of an
incident in Valcour. The team member is expected to verify
that there is a record of an incident by searching the caller’s
name and date of birth. If the incident is pending in the system,
the team member is not permitted to speak with the victim
about the details of the investigation. Any specific questions
around the investigation shall be directed back to the
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investigating officer. The team member shall speak with or
email the investigating officer to update them on the
interaction.
6. not share any information related to incidents involving a
juvenile.
h. Intersections with the Criminal and Civil Justice Systems
i. As professional staffof the City of Burlington and the Burlington
Police Department, the employee shall be aware of situations that can
result in court involvement.
ii. Professional staff may be involved in the court system when they are
subpoenaed to be a witness. The employee is obligated to appear in
court if a subpoena is issued. Additional information for AFSCME
union positions related to this topic can be found in the AFSCME
contract.
iii. Some civilian positions, including the CSL, receive department emails
specifically from officers requesting assistance in identifying an
individual. It is at the discretion of the employee to answer those
officer requests. Identifying an individual is part of the investigative
process and will be added to the record, which will be a part of the
court process should the investigation result in criminal charges.
iv. Members of CAIP shall report witnessed crimes of physical violence
resulting in injury, property crimes (e.g. stolen bike or cars), or
incidents related to mandatory reporting.
v. If a CSL believes a petition to the civil court is needed for a public
guardian, they may:
1. ensure that all providers associated with the person have been a
part of the discussion and consensus have been reached.
vi. If a CSL or CAIP manager receives a call from a community member
seeking assistance, and they ask if the staff can find out if they have an
active warrant, the team member shall:
1. confirm the warrant status through dispatch.
2. inform the individual only if it is a cite and release.
Transportation can be provided to an individual directly to the
court for a cite and release warrant.
3. not inform someone of any other type of warrant. The CSL can
tell the individual that they are unable to confirm or deny their
warrant status.
vii. If a CSL encounters a person in the field, and they know the person
has an active warrant, they may:
1. notify dispatch of who the person is, their current location, and
description of clothing.
i. Court Participation
i. The CSL team receives requests to participate in court processes. In
consultation with the Chief of Police and the City Attorney’s Office,
CSL staff are advised to do the following:
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1. If a request is made of the CSL, and a subpoena has not been
provided, the CSL will request that one be sent to them by the
requesting party.
2. The CSL will notify their supervisor of the request to provide
testimony. The CSL and CAIP manager will discuss what, if
any, information can be shared with the client involved in the
court case.
3. The CSL will participate upon receipt of the subpoena.
4. The CSL will be honest with the court.
5. The CSL will not disclose information that is covered under
HIPAA.
6. If the CSL is asked to disclose HIPAA while in the middle of
providing testimony, the CSL will state they cannot disclose
HIPAA-related information unless the judge compels them to
do so. If the judge instructs the CSL to disclose, the CSL will
comply.
j. High Risk/High Intensity Incidents
i. On occasion, a CSL or CAIP manager will be asked to be present
during or shortly after a large-scale police operation (e.g. investigation
involving a search warrant).
ii. If possible, coordination prior to the use of CAIP services in high-risk
events shall include the CAIP manager.
iii. The CSL shall:
1. only be on scene if requested by the scene commander or if
assigned by the CAIP manager prior to the day of the event.
2. check to ensure they are aware of who the scene commander is
prior to deploying. The CSL is expected to check in with the
scene commander upon arrival.
3. follow all directions given while on scene.
4. update the CAIP manager if there are any questions or
concerns.
k. Calls from Burlington Fire Department
i. Members of the Burlington Fire Department (BFD) may seek
assistance, either on scene or by referral, from a CSL.
ii. If a CSL or team supervisor is dispatched to a BFD scene, they shall:
1. check in with the scene commander upon arrival.
2. ask the scene commander to advise what demographic
information can be relayed back to dispatch.
3. relay necessary information back to dispatch.
4. deny transportation or engagement if there is a safety concern,
and relay the rationale back to the scene commander and the
CAIP manager.
l. Transportation
i. Transportation is a service that a CSL or CAIP manager can provide. It
is the expectation that staff follow the guidance below every time they
are requested or offer to provide transportation.
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ii. All transportation activities will be done in a city-issued vehicle.
Transportation of a community member in a personal vehicle is not
permitted.
iii. Regardless of history or OIC approval, a CSL may decline providing
transportation if uncomfortable. All denials of transportation will be
discussed with the CAIP manager.
1. Use of City-Issued Vehicles
a. City-issued vehicles will be prioritized for responding
to real-time calls for service and transportation of a
member of the community. Personal vehicles can only
be utilized to attend meetings in the community if no
other city-issued vehicle is available.
b. If a CSL needs to use their personal vehicle to attend a
meeting in the community, they can submit mileage
reimbursement to the city. See page 77 of the
Comprehensive City Personnel Policy Manual for
additional details.
c. All electric vehicles will be parked in the designated
spots and connected to charging ports after use.
Cleaning the interiors of each vehicle, including the
CAIP van, is expected from both teams. A schedule
rotating the cleaning responsibilities will be issued.
d. If the two city-issued vehicles are not available at the
time of need, the CAIP van or an available CSO vehicle
can be considered as an alternative to using a personal
vehicle.
e. The CSL must check in with the CAIP manager prior to
utilizing a CSO vehicle. The supervisor will determine
whether the number of CSO vehicles available exceeds
the number of CSOs on shift. This understanding was
developed in partnership with the Community Service
Manager.
f. If approved by a CAIP manager, the CSL will follow
the sign-out procedures for each vehicle, each time of
use.
g. The CAIP van shall be prioritized for proactive
outreach. The van can be used to attend meetings,
encampment outreach, etc. in the community.
h. The CAIP van is expected to have a half tank of gas at
all times. It is the responsibility of each team member
to ensure this is the standard.
2. Transportation Requests from the Public
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a. Whenever a request for transportation comes in from a
local provider or a community member, and the person
is not a service coordination client, a CSL shall:
i. gather all relevant details from the caller of the
current event leading to the transport request, to
include the name of the individual.
ii. inquire around the current disposition of the
individual (e.g. how are they currently
presenting emotionally and/or physically? Are
they under the influence or have an obvious
altered status?).
iii. look at the person’s history in Valcour to assess
recent system engagement. The CSL shall look
for alerts, recent incidents of violence, or
concerning call types (e.g., lewd and lascivious,
kidnapping, larceny from a person) where the
person seeking transport is listed as a person of
interest, suspect, or offender. The team
members should be able to ascertain the
necessary information without needing to
review a specific incident details.
iv. if concerning information is found, not provide
transportation, and when possible, encouraged
to work with the individual to find an alternative
form of transportation.
v. provide transportation if no concerning
information is found, only if a second team
member is present for the duration of the entire
ride. If two team members are not available at
the time of the request, the initial team member
will need to wait until another member of the
team is available.
vi. ensure a second employee will sit behind the
driver. The community member will sit in the
rear passenger seat.
3. Transportation for Service Coordination Clients
a. Transportation for service coordination clients is
permitted only in city vehicles.
b. All other means of transportation should be explored
prior to the CSL offering and providing transportation.
c. Transportation should also be limited to essential
activities that are directly tied to the overall well-being
of the client.
d. Transportation will not take place outside of the greater
Burlington area without approval from the CAIP
manager. The CAIP manager will update the OIC the
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approved transportation outside of the greater
Burlington area. The greater Burlington area is defined
as South Burlington, Winooski, Colchester, Essex,
Shelburne, and Williston.
e. Whenever transportation is provided to a service
coordination client, a CSL shall:
i. show themselves as “active” in a service
coordination incident in Valcour
ii. enter their destination in the “secondary
location” section.
iii. have a radio and credentials on their person.
iv. document the activities that correlate with the
need for transportation in Casebook.
4. Requests for Transportation from BPD Personnel
a. When the request for transportation comes from
department personnel, either dispatch or an officer, a
CSL shall:
i. follow steps i-v as noted above if the department
personnel does not provide the information.
ii. provide transportation independently if the
community member is known to the team and
has been provided transportation historically
without issue if steps i-v are followed and there
is no point of concern. If the person is unknown
to the CSL, and has no transportation history,
the CSL is permitted to provide transportation
only if a second team member is present for the
duration of the entire ride. If two team members
are not available at the time of the request, the
initial team member will need to wait until
another member of the team is available.
iii. The second employee will sit behind the driver,
and the community member will sit in the rear
passenger seat.
5. Emergency Event While in Transport
a. In the event of any emergency while in transport, a CSL
shall:
i. pull over when safe to do so.
ii. radio or call dispatch (or 911) to request
assistance.
iii. follow any direction given from dispatch or 911.
iv. wait safely outside of the vehicle until
additional resources arrive.
6. Denial of Transportation
a. The CAIP manager shall maintain a list of individuals
where transportation has been deemed unsafe. This list
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does not prevent any individual from receiving other
services from any personnel who are a part of CAIP.
b. Denials of transportation will be deemed appropriate
when a CSL has been made to feel unsafe while
providing transportation.
c. Removals from this list are at the discretion of the
CAIP manager in conference with department
administration, with the caveat that the Deputy Chief or
Chief of Police can require that any person be added or
remain on the ‘do not transport’ list.
m. Proactive Work
i. All proactive work is documented in Valcour under three separate call
types: community outreach, encampment outreach, and service
coordination.
ii. A CSL shall:
a. look at the dispatch narratives of stacked and
unassigned incidents that are related to the call types
they would typically be assigned - typically non-
criminal incidents that are related to behavioral health
or social service needs.
iii. Service Coordination
a. Service coordination is defined as an activity that CSLs
engage with clients directly in an ongoing basis.
b. A service coordination client is an individual who has
had more than two independent interactions where
work related to care coordination is performed.
c. Service coordination is not a time-limited activity and is
at the discretion of the CSL and the client.
d. Service coordination is intended to fill a case
management gap either during the waiting period of
another resource, or because there is no resource to
meet the identified need. This activity helps to reduce
interactions with first responders by helping to address
root causes that lead to community members seeking
assistance for basic unmet needs through the emergency
services system.
e. Work related to service coordination will be tracked in
both Valcour and clinical systems.
iv. Service Coordination Incidents in Valcour
a. Service coordination needs to be tracked in Valcour for
the purpose of safety and data collection.
b. When a CSL is engaging in service coordination, the
team member shall:
i. create a service coordination incident in Valcour
and add to the incident details “ongoing support
provided as needed”.
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ii. only create one service coordination incident per
person to avoid increasing a person’s public
record.
iii. add to a team member’s service coordination
incident in the event a service coordination
client reaches out to the team while their
primary contact is not available.
iv. ask dispatch or CAIP manager about the warrant
status of a person receiving service
coordination, if the individual receiving the
service requests. If the person is found to have
an active warrant, the CSL can meet them at the
courthouse to support them.
v. Casebook Clinical System
a. The human services software, referred to as Casebook,
is the system utilized by the CSLs to document work
that is considered HIPAA-protected.
b. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that sets national
standards for protecting sensitive patient or client health
information from being disclosed without the client's
knowledge or consent. Specifically, HIPAA protects
identifiable information related to diagnoses, treatment
plans, progress and case notes, medications, screenings
and assessments, tests, and referrals. 42 CFR Part 2
adds stricter privacy protection for records on substance
use treatment.
c. Majority of the activities related to service coordination
are considered HIPAA-protected, thus should be
documented only in the Casebook system. HIPAA-
protected information is not to be entered in the
Valcour system.
d. Service coordination is a permitted activity within
HIPAA that allows for minimal disclosure as long as it
is relevant and necessary for the coordination with other
providers. Per Vermont state law, disclosure of
information without consent can only take place when
there is a concern of child abuse, if the person is a
danger to themselves or others, or ordered by the court.
e. When engaging in activities related to service
coordination, the CSL shall:
i. begin documenting in Casebook upon engaging
with an individual two or more times, with the
agreed-upon intent of ongoing support.
ii. ensure data integrity by keeping records up-to-
date and accurate.
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iii. request the individual to sign a CAIP release of
information and upload the document into the
clinical system.
iv. review Addendum #1 provided by the State of
Vermont Agency of Human Services additional
clarity around information sharing specific to
HIPAA and care coordination.
vi. Encampment Outreach & Encampment Policy
a. Encampment outreach is defined as a proactive activity
where a CSL goes out to locations where someone has
been reported to be living in a city park or other city-
owned land.
b. Encampment policy is the City of Burlington’s
Sheltering on Public Lands policy, which describes how
City staff respond when an encampment is found or
reported to be on city-owned land.
c. When engaging in encampment outreach, the CSL
shall:
i. create an incident in the system utilizing the
encampment outreach call type.
ii. document that outreach was completed in the
Valcour system. Any service specific
information should be entered into the clinical
system.
d. When engaging in encampment outreach specific to the
encampment policy, the CSL shall:
i. create an encampment outreach incident and
link the incident to the encampment policy
incident with the same location.
ii. provide support on site on the day of removal.
iii. not act as enforcement related to the policy. It is
not the responsibility of the CSL to instruct
anyone to relocate. However, the team member
can inform the community member of the city’s
intent to provide notice to move and offer
assistance in accessing available resources.
III. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM ADVOCATE (DVVA) POSITION
This position is responsible for identifying, liaising with, guiding, and assisting people in need of
services and support associated with being victims of domestic or intimate partner violence (DV
and IPV, respectively).
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A. DVVA Follow up. The DVVA will follow up with victims during or after a police
response to offer assistance with protection orders and other DV resources.
B. DVVA Liaise. This position will also liaise with Chittenden County Family and Civil
Court regarding the tracking and service of protection orders.
C. CAIP Involvement. This position actively collaborates with CAIP, community-based
domestic violence programs, Department of Children and Families, Department of
Corrections, and the State Attorney’s Office.
D. Use of Valcour. The DVVA position actively tracks all work related to this position in
Valcour. The work may involve assisting other police agencies with serving paperwork,
victims from neighboring communities, and referrals from the Chittenden County Civil
Court.
E. Community Involvement. The DVVA, in conjunction with the CAIP manager and
Domestic Violence Officer (when assigned), manage a monthly meeting (Kid Stat) that
brings together community providers to triage and support households where domestic
violence has been reported. This group is empaneled under state statute title 33 VSA §
4979-19.
F. The DVVA shall:
1. Ensure victims of domestic violence are connected with and offered support as close
to the incident as possible. They will work with CSLs or the CAIP manager to
provide this support if the DVVA is unavailable.
2. Access Valcour information specific to domestic violence call types, to include
dispatch and incident details.
3. Access attachments only if necessary to complete court paperwork.
4. Access information from outside law enforcement agencies when referrals are made
by said agency.
G. Vacancy. In the event that the DVAA position is out for an extended period or vacant,
the CAIP manager will temporarily provide some gap coverage for the DVAA position.
The CAIP manager will assist with communication to the Uniformed Services Bureau
around the need for service of newly granted court orders, connect victims to appropriate
services, and facilitate the Kid Stat meeting (if applicable). The CAIP manager will
update the DVAA upon return. This will assist in reducing any delay in service
connection.
IV. VICTIM SERVICES SPECIALIST
The Victim Services Specialist is an employee of the Community Justice Center (CJC), and the
Community Economic Development Office (CEDO), a position which is embedded at the
Burlington Police Department. The purpose of this position is to provide direct service, resource
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coordination, referral and advocacy services for victims of crime and/or harm, separate from and
in support of other programs. The VSS position will receive a weekly report with direct referrals
of victims of crime, in addition to direct referrals. This allows for a more consistent, streamlined
referral process.
V. UTILIZATION OF ABANDONED PROPERTY
The ID/property department discards or donates items that have been stored by the department
for 30 days and have not been reclaimed. CAIP routinely encounters individuals who could
benefit from some of the items that are often unclaimed. The CAIP manager shall coordinate
with the ID/property department staff regarding property that has reached the 30-day limit. If
deemed useful, the CAIP manager will take possession of the items and store it in the CAIP
office for distribution to community members later.
A. Donations. The use of these items is strictly for donation to members of the community
who are in need. The items are used to build rapport with individuals who are
disconnected from the assistance they need. Law enforcement officers and community
service officers will have access to these items should they encounter someone in need.
B. Example Items. Examples of such items are: clothes, toiletries, backpacks, shoes, etc.
These examples are not limited to what items can be reclaimed.
C. Exclusions. Cell phones, laptops, or tablets will be excluded as reclaimable property.
D. Disposal. Please see Addendum #1 for details around the process of disposal and transfer
of custody.
VI. ADDENDUM
#1 Memo 2023-03 | Utilization of Abandoned Property set for Disposal
CHAIN OF CUSTODY
It is important that the chain of custody lines are entered into Valcour under the following order,
as applicable for each item. See the example below:
• If the entire item/all parts of the item are destroyed: “Disposed,” “Destroyed.”
o If 960 and 967 were doing the destruction, 960 would be in Valcour so it would
automatically save her badge number. A note in the remarks section needs to be
made "with 967, (NAME ITEM) for destruction"
o No additional lines are needed after this
• If part of the item is destroyed: “Disposed,” “Destroyed” with a brief description of what
has been destroyed in the remarks box
• Items suitable for donation: “Disposed,” “Donation Box” with a brief description of the
items in the remarks box
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o Tag remains with the item – THIS MAY MEAN REPACKAGING THE
ITEM(S)
• Items needing ID Tech attention: “Temporary”, “Locker Drop Box” with a brief
description of the items in the remarks box
o Case number and tag number clearly written on the packaging – THIS MAY
MEAN REPACKAGING THE ITEM(S)
• EXAMPLE:
Location Sub Remarks
Location
1st Line Disposed Destroyed folder with papers, dirty boots, hairbrush
2 Line Disposed
nd
Mailbox headlamp, 5 white t-shirts, socks, sleeping bag
3rd Line Temporary Locker Drop 5 suboxone strips
Evidence Box
4 Line Temporary
th
Locker Drop $20 cash (2x $10 bills)
Evidence Box
DONATION MAILBOX
The Mailbox in the Temp Evidence room will be relocated to the new temporary property room
off of the sally port. Items determined to be suitable for donations could include clean clothing,
coats, boots, unopened toiletries, backpacks and camping gear. The property tag must remain
with the item when placed in the donation box. If the item will not fit in the box, please contact
the ID Unit. It is important to note that the Valcour remarks section should not specify
“Resource” or “CAIP” as the ID Techs will determine the disposition of the donation box items.
No money, weapons, knifes or miscellaneous items of value over $100 will be placed in the
donation box. If CSOs are not sure if an item is suitable for donation, the items can be put in the
donation box and the ID Unit will make the determination after consulting with the DSB
Lieutenant. If the disposition of an item is unclear, the final determination will be made by the
DSB Lieutenant, a Deputy Chief or the Chief of Police. Cell phones and electronics can be
placed in the Mailbox for the sole purpose of being disposed of at ReSOURCE.
ABANDONED PROPERTY DONATION PROCESS
Items determined to be eligible for donation will be provided to the CAIP Supervisor by the ID
Unit and documented in Valcour as “Converted to CAIP use”. These items will also be
documented by the ID Unit on the attached inventory log form. Once the donated items are with
the CAIP, the disposition of the donated item will be documented on the provided copy of the
inventory log form. The ID Unit will maintain a copy of the original inventory log which will
serve as the “Master copy”. A copy of the inventory log and the property will be maintained by
the CAIP supervisor in the CAIP office.
When donating an item to a member of the community, employees must complete applicable
sections of the inventory log on the applicable property line. Employees must log the applicable
case number associated with the individual if an incident has already been created. If not, a new
applicable incident must be generated, and the donation must be documented accordingly.
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Once an inventory log form is completed (full), a copy of the log must be provided to the ID Unit
by the CAIP supervisor to save with the “Master copy” inventory logs. The inventory logs will
be scanned and stored electronically upon their completion.
It should be noted that this program is intended primarily for CAIP usage. However, in the case
of an after-hours emergency, the Officer in Charge can approve Officers or CSO usage. Officers
and CSOs will follow the above documentation process.
#2 .Data sharing checklist- State of Vermont Agency of Human Services Jan 31, 2025
What rules are you subject to?
Do you work for a healthcare provider, a health plan, or the Agency of Human Services?
- If yes, you are subject to HIPAA
- If no, you are not subject to HIPAA but may be subject to other privacy rules
If you are subject to HIPAA, when can you share information without the client’s permission (or
written consent)?
o Payment
o Treatment – including care coordination and consulting with other providers
o Operations – including case management by health plan and quality improvement
Do you work for a program that is known to provide SUD services?
- If yes, you are subject to Part 2
o If you are a Part 2 provider, you must have written consent to share treatment
records
- If no, you are not subject to Part 2
Levels of authority
Generally, the higher you are on the pyramid, the more you can share health information with
others.
Can share any information covered
Signed by the ROI with anyone named on
release of the ROI
Can share information with family,
Verbal consent
in emergency situations, and when
authorized under HIPAA
No consent Can share information with others
or written for payment, treatment, and
operations. This includes care
coordination
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Reviewed and adopted by the Burlington Police Commission on Month Date, Year.
__________________________________ _Month Date, Year_
Shawn Burke, Interim Chief of Police Effective Date
###
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BURLINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT DIRECTIVE
DD45 Crisis, Advocacy, Intervention Programs
Reviewed and published Month Date, Year
______________________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy is to define and contextualize the day-to-day
functioning of positions assigned to the Crisis, Advocacy, Intervention Program
(CAIP) of the department. The civilian employees who make up CAIP work to
address the underlying social service needs of individuals who intersect with the
public safety system, as well as provide a real-time response to needs outside of
the scope of law enforcement. These positions seek to diversify the first responder
field with positions that can assist with issues outside of the scope of public safety
and law enforcement. Members of CAIP actively work to bridge growing gaps in
social services by addressing unmet needs and decreasing a person’s reliance on
public systems such as police and fire to meet those needs.
POLICY: To provide sensitive, fair, and high-quality social services to the citizens of
Burlington through professional assistance that best meets the needs of the
circumstances and the person.
CONTENTS: I. Department Specific Expectations for Civilian Employees
II. Community Support Liaison (CSL) Team Structure and Work
III. Domestic Violence Victim Advocate (DVVA) Position
IV. Victim Services Specialist (VSS) Position
V. Utilization of Abandoned Property by CAIP
VI. Addendum
______________________________________________________________________________
I. DEPARTMENT-SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES
Each member of the Crisis, Advocacy, Intervention Program (CAIP) Unit is responsible for
understanding multiple department directives. The following directives can be found online on
the PowerDMS platform. Each member of CAIP is expected to read and sign off on
understanding the nature of each directive.
A. Directive List:
1. DD01: Law Enforcement Role & Authority, Ethics, Organizational Structure &
Department Rules
2. DD02.01 Shift Assignments, Areas, Supervision, Notifications, & Facility
Inspections
3. DD0202: Grooming Standards, Uniforms, Equipment, Inspections, & Use of Tobacco
Products
4. DD03: Statewide Policy on Fair and Impartial Policing
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5. DD04: Operation of Police Vehicles, Response Codes, Pursuits
6. DD10: Evidence, Contraband, Found Property
7. DD11: Victim Witness Assistance
8. DD13.01: Interacting with Persons with Limited English Proficiency
9. DD 13.02: Interacting with Persons with Disabilities
10. DD13.03: Interacting with Persons with Diminished Capacity
11. DD21.02: Domestic Violence by Law Enforcement Employees-Prevention & Early
Warning Initiatives
12. DD28: Information Technology & Electronic Communication
13. DD30: Public Information
14. DD31: Ride Along Program
15. DD33: Juvenile Operations
16. DD37: Training
17. DD38: Department Property & Purchasing Orders
18. DD39: Personnel
19. DD40: Quality Control, Internal Investigations & Discipline
20. DD42.01: City Access Cards & Facility Access
21. DD43: Reporting Corruption & Misconduct
22. Valcour User Agreement
23. City of Burlington Personnel Policy Manual
24. AFSCME Union Contract
25. Applicable Job Description
II. COMMUNITY SUPPORT LIAISON (CSL) TEAM STRUCTURE AND WORK
A Community Support Liaison is responsible for responding to requests for assistance from the
dispatch center and the public, where elements of a crime or safety concern have not been
reported.
A. Community Support Liaison Team Purpose
1. The CSL team and CAIP manager work in collaboration with the Officer in Charge of
the Uniform Services Bureau to address calls for service that can be safely and
effectively addressed by the CSL team.
2. On occasion, members of the team will work collaboratively with members of the
Detective Services Bureau and its respective supervisors.
3. Proactive assistance is also expected to be offered, as an additional intention of the
program is to reduce the workload of officers, specifically when a law enforcement
presence is not necessary, but a skilled, knowledgeable professional is still needed.
4. Proactive work assists with reducing community members’ reliance on emergency
care systems by providing individuals with pathways to sustained support and
recovery.
5. The team engages in forensic social work, which is a specialized area within the
social work profession. It employs an integrative approach, encompassing generalist,
specialized, and collaborative methods, in serving diverse populations affected by
civil and/or criminal legal issues. This work merges core social work principles (e.g..,
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person-centered, trauma-informed, strength-based approaches, including harm
reduction) with a specialized understanding to address both social functioning and
broader socio-legal environment.
B. CSL Team Structure and Scope
1. The CSL position functions as both a generalist and a specialist. They are required to
have a deep understanding of what social service resources exist in the community, as
well as a general knowledge of the criminal and civil justice systems.
2. Service provision completed by a CSL is typically done in the community, unless
someone is physically seeking assistance at 1 North Avenue.
3. CSLs are supervised by the CAIP manager.
4. The CSL team schedule rotates monthly and consists of four ten-hour shifts per week.
There are two CSLs scheduled per shift, except for weekends when there is one CSL
per shift. The first shift is 0800-1800 or 0900-1900. Second shift is 1100-2100. Both
shifts have flexible schedules, often guided by client needs. All schedules will be
accurately reflected in PowerTime and UKG by the CAIP manager.
5. The administration of the police department reserves all rights with respect to
schedule changes as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between the City
of Burlington and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal
Employees (AFSCME).
6. To best serve the department and the community, the schedule is structured to
maximize CSL availability and allow time for proactive work, which is necessary to
address recidivism.
7. When four CSLs (two first shift and two second shift) are scheduled, one CSL from
each shift will be designated as the primary CSL. The primary CSL shall:
a. prioritize responding to calls for assistance from dispatch (police and fire).
b. will enter P in the notes line of Valcour to alert dispatch who the primary is.
c. show themselves as “10-8/Available for calls” in the Valcour system during
any foot patrols, community outreach, or encampment outreach.
d. have their radios on and are expected to wear their earpieces.
d. not engage in any service coordination activities.
8. When three CSLs (one of one shift and two of another) are scheduled, the shift that
has two CSLs scheduled will designate one of the CSLs as the primary CSL.
9. If there are two CSLs (one on each shift) scheduled, each will be considered the
primary CSL for their respective shift.
10. If there are two CSLs on the same shift, one CSL will be considered primary.
11. A CSL is a mandated reporter per Title 33, VSA 4913 & VSA 6902. HIPAA
restrictions apply to some of their work.
12. A CSL is a public servant. As a public servant, refusal of service is limited to
circumstances where it is unsafe for a CSL to engage, either independently or in
tandem. No other forms of denial are approved without speaking to the CAIP
manager before refusal of service. If a provider requests that a CSL not respond or
limit support, the CSL shall:
a. explain to the provider why refusal of service is not an option.
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b. clarify the role of the CSL, and the intention is to support, and solve problems
in the moment, not to duplicate service provision.
c. work collaboratively with community providers to the best of their ability.
d. report any communication breakdowns or pushback to the CAIP manager.
C. Workflows and Use of Law Enforcement Records Management System
1. All personnel within CAIP shall engage in both reactive and proactive work. Some
positions are intended to respond to field-based requests for service, while other
positions (i.e., DVVA and VSS) only complete reactive work if a community member
comes to the building seeking support.
2. Reactive work is defined as activities related to real-time requests for assistance that
come through the police department’s dispatch center. The call types a CSL can
respond to vary, depending on the information initially provided.
3. Proactive work is defined as an activity that is not considered urgent and involves
elements of community engagement, outreach, or case management services.
a. Use of the Valcour System
i. Valcour is the state of Vermont’s law enforcement records
management system, governed by Title 1, VSA 317.
ii. For the CSL team to maintain safety as civilian responders, the
positions have access to the law enforcement information management
system, referred to as Valcour.
iii. Civilian positions, including CAIP positions, are only permitted to
view incidents directly related to their job duties.
iv. No position under CAIP is permitted to view outside law enforcement
agencies’ incidents unless otherwise specified in this policy.
v. CAIP personnel shall be familiar with the expectations of use that all
Valcour users agree to, in order to access the system. For the purposes
of this policy, all CAIP personnel shall understand:
1. General data is defined as data that includes dates and times of
incidents; biographical information such as race, gender, and age that
does not personally identify an individual, general vehicle information,
excluding biographical information, general incident type, crime,
violation, or ordinance reporting; and location information such as
street and intersection, but not street number or other exact geo-
referenced location, and any other data approved by the Valcour
Board.
2. Specific Data is all other data not defined as general data, which
includes, but is not limited to: individual incident reports, narratives,
documents, images, video, audio, and the identities of any person
involved in an incident including personal identifying information
such as names, dates of birth, or license numbers, specific street
addresses (by street number), and information related to any event that
has been partitioned or blocked by a user or agency because disclosure
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of any fragment of the incident would compromise an ongoing
investigation.
3. Any release of specific data must be done by, or with the express
consent of the primary investigating agency (the ORI that originates
the data).
4. Incident numbers that originate from this department can be shared
for the purpose of making a records request. Incident numbers
originating outside this agency cannot be shared.
5. Prioritizing their active/inactive status on the Valcour dashboard is
essential to their safety in the field, as well as ensuring dispatch
personnel have a real-time understanding of deployable resources.
Repeated failures to do so will result in disciplinary measures. For
information related to the disciplinary process, see department
directive DD40 and the Comprehensive City Personnel Policy Manual.
6. Misuse of Valcour, and any of its related information, is grounds
for disciplinary measures. Suspected misuse will be reported to the
CAIP manager and deputy chief of administration as soon as they
become aware.
4. Reactive Work
a. When engaging in reactive work, a CSL or CAIP manager team shall:
i. be dispatched as the primary first responder.
ii. be dispatched to a scene after an officer has arrived.
iii. receive referrals after an officer has left the scene.
iv. contact dispatch at the start/end of shift to report they are on/off duty.
(This ensures that sworn supervisors and dispatch have an accurate
understanding of resources available.)
v. accurately reflect their status in Valcour when engaging in work
related to answering the CSL phone line by creating and attaching
themselves to an incident.
vi. not view any incident of any other police department in the Valcour
system. (If a community member needs assistance with obtaining
information from another department, the CSL or team supervisor can
inform them of the correct agency but nothing additional. The CSL or
team supervisor can research the respective agency’s non-emergency
number or process specific to making a records request, as additional
information that can be provided to the caller.)
b. Calls from Dispatch
i. One of the core functions of the CSL position is to respond to requests
for assistance from the department's dispatch center.
ii. If the CSL or team supervisor is responding independently in the field
or to the department lobbies, as requested by dispatch, they shall:
1. open the incident to read the dispatch narrative.
2. look at the person’s recent history listed under their name
jacket.
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3. open and read dispatch narratives of same day incidents if the
person attached to the incident had multiple contacts in the same
day. (This allows the team members to ensure they have a more
complete understanding of the state of the person on scene and that
they are the most appropriate resource.)
4. not click into incident details they are not directly responding to
unless it is necessary to assist with the response or paperwork
related to a court process.
5. not view attachments within an incident that are not necessary
for completing paperwork without explicit permission from the
referring officer or Officer in Charge.
6. have their radio and/or department issued cell phone on their
person when in the field.
7. report all denials of service to the CAIP Manager.
c. Mental Health Incidents
i. CSLs can be primary responders on mental health incidents only if
Street Outreach is unavailable.
ii. If a CSL is dispatched to a mental health incident, the CSL shall:
1. view the Valcour dashboard to check if there is a more
appropriate resource available.
2. follow steps (ii)1-3 under section ‘Calls from Dispatch’.
3. only view incident details of other mental health call types
within the last 30 days for the purpose of coordinating response
and potential referral to outside agency.
4. update the Street Outreach Team when there is an ongoing
history of response from their team.
5. update First Call if the person threatens harm to themselves or
others due to the significance of their mental health issue.
6. check in with the Officer in Charge if there is any element of
safety concern for the person or the community.
d. Welfare Check Incidents
i. Welfare check incidents are defined as incidents where the caller is
expressing concern for an individual’s welfare and is requesting
someone to be checked on, either in the field or at their home.
ii. A CSL can be assigned as the primary responder for welfare checks.
iii. When responding to a welfare check, a CSL or team supervisor shall:
1. speak with the caller for additional information as needed, as
well as follow up with the caller to report the outcome of their
efforts if permitted by the person of interest (POI). (This
should not extend beyond an update of “contact was made” if
the POI does not give express permission for the sharing of
information.)
2. look at the person’s history to see if there has been any recent
activity.
3. look at the dispatch narratives of any recent contact within the
last 30 days. (Incident details can only be viewed if the
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originating agency is Burlington and the information is
necessary to determine the next steps.)
4. contact the hospital or other agencies the individual is known
to interact with to see if there was admittance or recent contact,
prior to dispatching to any location.
5. upon arriving on scene of a dwelling, attempt to make contact
by knocking loudly on the door and if possible, check in with
neighbors to inquire about activity at the dwelling.
6. while on scene, assess their surroundings for evidence that
may require additional follow-up (e.g. buildup of mail at the
home, car in the driveway, but no response at the door,
windows, or door ajar with the appearance of an empty
dwelling, a strong odor).
7. report all outcomes (e.g. contact made, contact not made, or
concern) back to the Officer in Charge prior to the end of their
shift.
8. complete an incident narrative by the end of shift.
e. Overdose Incidents
i. A CSL can be the first responder on an overdose incident reported
directly to the police department or fire department dispatch.
ii. A CSL can respond independently or co-respond with a police officer.
iii. If a CSL is co-responding with a police officer, the police officer will
be considered the primary responder. A CSL can become primary if
the officer deems there is no need for them to be on scene.
iv. When deployed to an overdose incident, a CSL shall:
1. follow steps i & vi under section a: Calls from Dispatch.
2. have ready access to Naloxone (i.e. in CSL vehicle or on
person).
3. check in with scene commander upon arrival.
f. Public Assist and Threats/Harassment Incidents
i. Public assist incidents are defined as incidents where there is a request
for assistance with no elements of a crime being reported, but the
person is still in need of support.
ii. Threats/Harassment incidents are defined as incidents where an
individual reports having been threatened verbally, but the information
provided does not meet the statute of criminal threatening (i.e., 13
VSA § 1702).
iii. A CSL can be the primary responder for a public assist or
threats/harassment.
iv. If a CSL is assigned to a public assist, they shall:
1. follow steps i through vi under section a: Calls from Dispatch.
2. report any change of circumstance that has the potential to
impact law enforcement or warrants Officer follow up to the
OIC and CAIP manager.
v. If a CSL is assigned to a threats/harassment incident:
1. follow steps i through vi under section a: Calls from Dispatch.
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2. offer assistance with completing court paperwork and explain
court processes related to no stalking or relief of abuse orders if
applicable.
3. immediately confer with OIC if additional details provided
appear to be criminal in nature.
g. Calls from the Community
i. The CSL Team, CAIP Manager, Victim Service Specialist (VSS), and
Domestic Violence Victim Advocate (DVVA) positions all have
publicized phone numbers that allow for direct calls that come from
outside the dispatch system. The guidance below is specific to the CSL
and CAIP manager.
ii. The CSL and CAIP manager shall:
1. gather as much pertinent information as possible, to include
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and details around the
request(s) being made.
2. create an incident that is reflective of one of the following call
types: public assist, service coordination, community outreach,
or encampment outreach.
3. refer the call back to dispatch if the information provided does
not fit the above call types.
iii. Community members will contact the CAIP staff with questions
around information specific to an incident. The CSL and CAIP
manager shall:
1. assist the individual in making a records request online, if the
caller is interested.
2. not provide additional information to the caller that the caller
does not already know.
3. provide the name of the primary officer if there are questions
related to a specific Burlington Police Department case. (The
team member can offer to email the officer to let them know
about the interaction.)
4. not share any information related to pending investigations.
(Pending investigations are considered any incident that is
showing as ‘pending’ or ‘ready for approval’ in the system.
Non-pending incidents will show as ‘approved’. The team
member may offer to transfer the call to the OIC.)
5. provide the necessary information that is required by state title
13 VSA 5314 to a caller who identifies as a victim of an
incident in Valcour. (The team member is expected to verify
that there is a record of an incident by searching the caller’s
name and date of birth. If the incident is pending in the system,
the team member is not permitted to speak with the victim
about the details of the investigation. Any specific questions
around the investigation shall be directed back to the
investigating officer. The team member shall speak with or
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email the investigating officer to update them on the
interaction.)
6. not share any information related to incidents involving a
juvenile.
h. Intersections with the Criminal and Civil Justice Systems
i. As professional staff of the City of Burlington and the Burlington
Police Department, the employee shall be aware of situations that can
result in court involvement.
ii. Professional staff may be involved in the court system when they are
subpoenaed to be a witness. The employee is obligated to appear in
court if a subpoena is issued. Additional information for AFSCME
union positions related to this topic can be found in the AFSCME
contract.
iii. Some civilian positions, including the CSL, receive department emails
specifically from officers requesting assistance in identifying an
individual. It is at the discretion of the employee to answer those
officer requests. Identifying an individual is part of the investigative
process and will be added to the record, which will be a part of the
court process should the investigation result in criminal charges.
iv. Members of CAIP shall report witnessed crimes of physical violence
resulting in injury, property crimes (e.g. stolen bike or cars), or
incidents related to mandatory reporting.
v. If a CSL believes a petition to the civil court is needed for a public
guardian, they may ensure that all providers associated with the person
have been a part of the discussion and consensus have been reached.
vi. If a CSL or CAIP manager receives a call from a community member
seeking assistance, and they ask if the staff can find out if they have an
active warrant, the team member shall:
1. confirm the warrant status through dispatch.
2. inform the individual only if it is a cite and
release.(Transportation can be provided to an individual
directly to the court for a cite and release warrant.)
3. not inform someone of any other type of warrant. (The CSL
can tell the individual that they are unable to confirm or deny
their warrant status.)
vii. If a CSL encounters a person in the field, and they know the person
has an active warrant, they may notify dispatch of who the person is,
their current location, and description of clothing.
i. Court Participation
i. The CSL team receives requests to participate in court processes. In
consultation with the Chief of Police and the City Attorney’s Office,
CSL staff are advised to do the following:
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1. If a request is made of the CSL, and a subpoena has not been
provided, the CSL will request that one be sent to them by the
requesting party.
2. The CSL will notify their supervisor of the request to provide
testimony. The CSL and CAIP manager will discuss what, if
any, information can be shared with the client involved in the
court case.
3. The CSL will participate upon receipt of the subpoena.
4. The CSL will be honest with the court.
5. The CSL will not disclose information that is covered under
HIPAA.
6. If the CSL is asked to disclose HIPAA-related information
while in the middle of providing testimony, the CSL will state
they cannot do so unless the judge compels them to do so. If
the judge instructs the CSL to disclose, the CSL will comply.
j. High Risk/High Intensity Incidents
i. On occasion, a CSL or CAIP manager will be asked to be present
during or shortly after a large-scale police operation (e.g. investigation
involving a search warrant).
ii. If possible, coordination prior to the use of CAIP services in high-risk
events shall include the CAIP manager.
iii. The CSL shall:
1. only be on scene if requested by the scene commander or if
assigned by the CAIP manager prior to the day of the event.
2. check to ensure they are aware of who the scene commander is
prior to deployingand check in with them upon arrival.
3. follow all directions given while on scene.
4. update the CAIP manager if there are any questions or
concerns.
k. Calls from Burlington Fire Department
i. Members of the Burlington Fire Department (BFD) may seek
assistance, either on scene or by referral, from a CSL.
ii. If a CSL or team supervisor is dispatched to a BFD scene, they shall:
1. check in with the scene commander upon arrival.
2. ask the scene commander to advise what demographic
information can be relayed back to dispatch.
3. relay necessary information back to dispatch.
4. deny transportation or engagement if there is a safety concern,
and relay the rationale back to the scene commander and the
CAIP manager.
l. Transportation
i. Transportation is a service that a CSL or CAIP manager can provide. It
is the expectation that staff follow the guidance below every time they
are requested or offer to provide transportation.
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ii. All transportation activities will be done in a city-issued vehicle.
Transportation of a community member in a personal vehicle is not
permitted.
iii. Regardless of history or OIC approval, a CSL may decline providing
transportation if uncomfortable. All denials of transportation will be
discussed with the CAIP manager.
1. Use of City-Issued Vehicles
a. City-issued vehicles will be prioritized for responding
to real-time calls for service and transportation of a
member of the community. Personal vehicles can only
be utilized to attend meetings in the community if no
other city-issued vehicle is available.
b. If a CSL needs to use their personal vehicle to attend a
meeting in the community, they can submit mileage
reimbursement to the city. (See page 77 of the
Comprehensive City Personnel Policy Manual for
additional details.)
c. All electric vehicles will be parked in the designated
spots and connected to charging ports after use.
Cleaning the interiors of each vehicle, including the
CAIP van, is expected from both teams. A schedule
rotating the cleaning responsibilities will be issued.
d. If the two city-issued vehicles are not available at the
time of need, the CAIP van or an available CSO vehicle
can be considered as an alternative to using a personal
vehicle.
e. The CSL must check in with the CAIP manager prior to
utilizing a CSO vehicle. The supervisor will determine
whether the number of CSO vehicles available exceeds
the number of CSOs on shift. (This understanding was
developed in partnership with the Community Service
Manager.)
f. If approved by a CAIP manager, the CSL will follow
the sign-out procedures for each vehicle, each time of
use.
g. The CAIP van shall be prioritized for proactive
outreach. The van can be used to attend meetings,
encampment outreach, etc. in the community.
The CAIP van is expected to have a half tank of gas at all times. It is the responsibility of each
team member to ensure this is the standard.
2. Transportation Requests from the Public
a. Whenever a request for transportation comes in from a
local provider or a community member, and the person
is not a service coordination client, a CSL shall:
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i. gather all relevant details from the caller of the
current event leading to the transport request, to
include the name of the individual.
ii. inquire around the current disposition of the
individual (e.g. how are they currently
presenting emotionally and/or physically? are
they under the influence or have an obvious
altered status?).
iii. look at the person’s history in Valcour to assess
recent system engagement including alerts,
recent incidents of violence, or concerning call
types (e.g., lewd and lascivious, kidnapping,
larceny from a person) where the person seeking
transport is listed as a person of interest,
suspect, or offender. (The team members should
be able to ascertain the necessary information
without needing to review a specific incident
details.)
iv. if concerning information is found, not provide
transportation, and when possible, are
encouraged to work with the individual to find
an alternative form of transportation.
v. provide transportation if no concerning
information is found, only if a second team
member is present for the duration of the entire
ride. (If two team members are not available at
the time of the request, the initial team member
will need to wait until another member of the
team is available.)
vi. ensure a second employee will sit behind the
driver and the community member will sit in the
rear passenger seat.
3. Transportation for Service Coordination Clients
a. Transportation for service coordination clients is
permitted only in city vehicles.
b. All other means of transportation should be explored
prior to the CSL offering and providing transportation.
c. Transportation should also be limited to essential
activities that are directly tied to the overall well-being
of the client.
d. Transportation will not take place outside of the greater
Burlington area without approval from the CAIP
manager. The CAIP manager will update the OIC of the
approved transportation outside of the greater
Burlington area. The greater Burlington area is defined
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as South Burlington, Winooski, Colchester, Essex,
Shelburne, and Williston.
e. Whenever transportation is provided to a service
coordination client, a CSL shall:
i. show themselves as “active” in a service
coordination incident in Valcour.
ii. enter their destination in the “secondary
location” section.
iii. have a radio and credentials on their person.
iv. document the activities that correlate with the
need for transportation in Casebook.
4. Requests for Transportation from BPD Personnel
a. When the request for transportation comes from
department personnel, either dispatch or an officer, a
CSL shall:
i. follow steps i-v as noted above if the department
personnel does not provide the information.
ii. provide transportation independently, following
steps ??? if the community member is known to
the team and has been provided transportation
historically without issue and there is no point
of concern. (If the person is unknown to the
CSL, and has no transportation history, the CSL
is permitted to provide transportation only if a
second team member is present for the duration
of the entire ride. If two team members are not
available at the time of the request, the initial
team member will need to wait until another
member of the team is available.)
5. Emergency Event While in Transport
a. In the event of any emergency while in transport, a CSL
shall:
i. pull over when safe to do so.
ii. radio or call dispatch (or 911) to request
assistance.
iii. follow any direction given from dispatch or 911.
iv. wait safely outside of the vehicle until
additional resources arrive.
6. Denial of Transportation
a. The CAIP manager shall maintain a list of individuals
where transportation has been deemed unsafe. This list
does not prevent any individual from receiving other
services from any personnel who are a part of CAIP.
b. Denials of transportation will be deemed appropriate
when a CSL has been made to feel unsafe while
providing transportation.
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c. Removals from this list are at the discretion of the
CAIP manager in conference with department
administration, with the caveat that the Deputy Chief or
Chief of Police can require that any person be added or
remain on the ‘do not transport’ list.
5. Proactive Work
a. All proactive work is documented in Valcour under three separate call types:
community outreach, encampment outreach, and service coordination.
b. A CSL shall:
1. look at the dispatch narratives of stacked and unassigned
incidents that are related to the call types they would typically
be assigned (i.e. non-criminal incidents that are related to
behavioral health or social service needs).
c. Service Coordination
1. Service coordination is defined as an activity that CSLs engage
with clients directly in an ongoing basis.
2. A service coordination client is an individual who has had
more than two independent interactions where work related to
care coordination is performed.
3. Service coordination is not a time-limited activity and is at the
discretion of the CSL and the client.
4. Service coordination is intended to fill a case management gap
either during the waiting period of another resource, or because
there is no resource to meet the identified need. This activity
helps to reduce interactions with first responders by helping to
address root causes that lead to community members seeking
assistance for basic unmet needs through the emergency
services system.
5. Work related to service coordination will be tracked in both
Valcour and clinical systems.
d. Service Coordination Incidents in Valcour
1. Service coordination needs to be tracked in Valcour for the
purpose of safety and data collection.
2. When a CSL is engaging in service coordination, the team
member shall:
a. create a service coordination incident in Valcour and
add to the incident details “ongoing support provided as
needed”.
b. only create one service coordination incident per person
to avoid increasing a person’s public record.
c. add to a team member’s service coordination incident in
the event a service coordination client reaches out to the
team while their primary contact is not available.
d. ask dispatch or CAIP manager about the warrant status
of a person receiving service coordination, if the
individual receiving the service requests. (If the person
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is found to have an active warrant, the CSL can meet
them at the courthouse to support them.)
e. Casebook Clinical System
1. The human services software, referred to as Casebook, is the
system utilized by the CSLs to document work that is
considered HIPAA-protected.
2. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA) is a federal law that sets national standards for
protecting sensitive patient or client health information from
being disclosed without the client's knowledge or consent.
Specifically, HIPAA protects identifiable information related
to diagnoses, treatment plans, progress and case notes,
medications, screenings and assessments, tests, and referrals.
42 CFR Part 2 adds stricter privacy protection for records on
substance use treatment.
3. A majority of the activities related to service coordination are
considered HIPAA-protected, thus should be documented only
in the Casebook system. HIPAA-protected information is not
to be entered in the Valcour system.
4. Service coordination is a permitted activity within HIPAA that
allows for minimal disclosure as long as it is relevant and
necessary for the coordination with other providers. Per
Vermont state law, disclosure of information without consent
can only take place when there is a concern of child abuse, the
person is a danger to themselves or others, or ordered by the
court.
5. When engaging in activities related to service coordination, the
CSL shall:
a. begin documenting in Casebook upon engaging with an
individual two or more times, with the agreed-upon
intent of ongoing support.
b. ensure data integrity by keeping records up-to-date and
accurate.
c. request the individual to sign a CAIP release of
information and upload the document into the clinical
system.
d. review Addendum #1 provided by the State of Vermont
Agency of Human Services additional clarity around
information sharing specific to HIPAA and care
coordination.
f. Encampment Outreach & Encampment Policy
1. Encampment outreach is where a CSL goes out to locations
where someone has been reported to be living in a city park or
other city-owned land.
2. Encampment policy is the City of Burlington’s Sheltering on
Public Lands policy, which describes how City staff respond
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when an encampment is found or reported to be on city-owned
land.
3. When engaging in encampment outreach, the CSL shall:
a. create an incident in the system utilizing the
encampment outreach call type.
b. document that outreach was completed in the Valcour
system. (Any service specific information should be
entered into the clinical system.)
4. When engaging in encampment outreach specific to the
encampment policy, the CSL shall:
a. create an encampment outreach incident and link the
incident to the encampment policy incident with the
same location.
b. provide support on site on the day of removal.
c. not act as enforcement related to the policy. (It is not
the responsibility of the CSL to instruct anyone to
relocate. However, the team member can inform the
community member of the city’s intent to provide
notice to move and offer assistance in accessing
available resources. )
III. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM ADVOCATE (DVVA) POSITION
This position is responsible for identifying, liaising with, guiding, and assisting people in need of
services and support associated with being victims of domestic or intimate partner violence (DV
and IPV, respectively).
A. DVVA Follow up. The DVVA will follow up with victims during or after a police
response to offer assistance with protection orders and other DV resources.
B. DVVA Liaise. This position will also liaise with Chittenden County Family and Civil
Court regarding the tracking and service of protection orders.
C. CAIP Involvement. This position actively collaborates with CAIP, community-based
domestic violence programs, Department of Children and Families, Department of
Corrections, and the State Attorney’s Office.
D. Use of Valcour. The DVVA position actively tracks all work related to this position in
Valcour. The work may involve assisting other police agencies with serving paperwork,
victims from neighboring communities, and referrals from the Chittenden County Civil
Court.
E. Community Involvement. The DVVA, in conjunction with the CAIP manager and
Domestic Violence Officer (when assigned), manage a monthly meeting (Kid Stat) that
brings together community providers to triage and support households where domestic
violence has been reported. This group is empaneled under state statute title 33 VSA §
4979-19.
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F. The DVVA shall:
1. Ensure victims of domestic violence are connected with and offered support as close
to the incident as possible. They will work with CSLs or the CAIP manager to
provide this support if the DVVA is unavailable.
2. Access Valcour information specific to domestic violence call types, to include
dispatch and incident details.
3. Access attachments only if necessary to complete court paperwork.
4. Access information from outside law enforcement agencies when referrals are made
by said agency.
G. Vacancy. In the event that the DVAA position is out for an extended period or vacant,
the CAIP manager will temporarily provide some gap coverage for the DVAA position.
The CAIP manager will assist with communication to the Uniformed Services Bureau
around the need for service of newly granted court orders, connect victims to appropriate
services, and facilitate the Kid Stat meeting (if applicable). The CAIP manager will
update the DVAA upon return. This will assist in reducing any delay in service
connection.
IV. VICTIM SERVICES SPECIALIST
The Victim Services Specialist is an employee of the Community Justice Center (CJC), and the
Community Economic Development Office (CEDO), a position which is embedded at the
Burlington Police Department. The purpose of this position is to provide direct service, resource
coordination, referral and advocacy services for victims of crime and/or harm, separate from and
in support of other programs. The VSS position will receive a weekly report with direct referrals
of victims of crime, in addition to direct referrals. This allows for a more consistent, streamlined
referral process.
V. UTILIZATION OF ABANDONED PROPERTY
The ID/property department discards or donates items that have been stored by the department
for 30 days and have not been reclaimed. CAIP routinely encounters individuals who could
benefit from some of the items that are unclaimed. The CAIP manager shall coordinate with the
ID/property department staff regarding property that has reached the 30-day limit. If deemed
useful, the CAIP manager will take possession of the items and store it in the CAIP office for
distribution to community members later.
A. Donations. The use of these items is strictly for donation to members of the community
who are in need. The items are used to build rapport with individuals who are
disconnected from the assistance they need. Law enforcement officers and community
service officers will have access to these items should they encounter someone in need.
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B. Example Items. Examples of such items are: clothes, toiletries, backpacks, shoes, etc.
These examples are not limited to what items can be reclaimed.
C. Exclusions. Cell phones, laptops, or tablets will be excluded as reclaimable property.
D. Disposal. Please see Addendum #1 for details around the process of disposal and transfer
of custody.
VI. ADDENDUM
#1 Memo 2023-03 | Utilization of Abandoned Property set for Disposal
CHAIN OF CUSTODY
It is important that the chain of custody lines are entered into Valcour under the following order,
as applicable for each item. See the example below:
• If the entire item/all parts of the item are destroyed: “Disposed,” “Destroyed.”
o If 960 and 967 were doing the destruction, 960 would be in Valcour so it would
automatically save her badge number. A note in the remarks section needs to be
made "with 967, (NAME ITEM) for destruction"
o No additional lines are needed after this
• If part of the item is destroyed: “Disposed,” “Destroyed” with a brief description of what
has been destroyed in the remarks box
• Items suitable for donation: “Disposed,” “Donation Box” with a brief description of the
items in the remarks box
o Tag remains with the item – THIS MAY MEAN REPACKAGING THE
ITEM(S)
• Items needing ID Tech attention: “Temporary”, “Locker Drop Box” with a brief
description of the items in the remarks box
o Case number and tag number clearly written on the packaging – THIS MAY
MEAN REPACKAGING THE ITEM(S)
• EXAMPLE:
Location Sub Remarks
Location
1st Line Disposed Destroyed folder with papers, dirty boots, hairbrush
2nd Line Disposed Mailbox headlamp, 5 white t-shirts, socks, sleeping bag
3rd Line Temporary Locker Drop 5 suboxone strips
Evidence Box
4 Line Temporary
th
Locker Drop $20 cash (2x $10 bills)
Evidence Box
DONATION MAILBOX
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The Mailbox in the Temp Evidence room will be relocated to the new temporary property room
off of the sally port. Items determined to be suitable for donations could include clean clothing,
coats, boots, unopened toiletries, backpacks and camping gear. The property tag must remain
with the item when placed in the donation box. If the item will not fit in the box, please contact
the ID Unit. It is important to note that the Valcour remarks section should not specify
“Resource” or “CAIP” as the ID Techs will determine the disposition of the donation box items.
No money, weapons, knifes or miscellaneous items of value over $100 will be placed in the
donation box. If CSOs are not sure if an item is suitable for donation, the items can be put in the
donation box and the ID Unit will make the determination after consulting with the DSB
Lieutenant. If the disposition of an item is unclear, the final determination will be made by the
DSB Lieutenant, a Deputy Chief or the Chief of Police. Cell phones and electronics can be
placed in the Mailbox for the sole purpose of being disposed of at ReSOURCE.
ABANDONED PROPERTY DONATION PROCESS
Items determined to be eligible for donation will be provided to the CAIP Supervisor by the ID
Unit and documented in Valcour as “Converted to CAIP use”. These items will also be
documented by the ID Unit on the attached inventory log form. Once the donated items are with
the CAIP, the disposition of the donated item will be documented on the provided copy of the
inventory log form. The ID Unit will maintain a copy of the original inventory log which will
serve as the “Master copy”. A copy of the inventory log and the property will be maintained by
the CAIP supervisor in the CAIP office.
When donating an item to a member of the community, employees must complete applicable
sections of the inventory log on the applicable property line. Employees must log the applicable
case number associated with the individual if an incident has already been created. If not, a new
applicable incident must be generated, and the donation must be documented accordingly.
Once an inventory log form is completed (full), a copy of the log must be provided to the ID Unit
by the CAIP supervisor to save with the “Master copy” inventory logs. The inventory logs will
be scanned and stored electronically upon their completion.
It should be noted that this program is intended primarily for CAIP usage. However, in the case
of an after-hours emergency, the Officer in Charge can approve Officers or CSO usage. Officers
and CSOs will follow the above documentation process.
#2 .Data sharing checklist- State of Vermont Agency of Human Services Jan 31, 2025
What rules are you subject to?
Do you work for a healthcare provider, a health plan, or the Agency of Human Services?
- If yes, you are subject to HIPAA
- If no, you are not subject to HIPAA but may be subject to other privacy rules
If you are subject to HIPAA, when can you share information without the client’s permission (or
written consent)?
o Payment
o Treatment – including care coordination and consulting with other providers
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DD45 Page 20 of 20
Crisis, Advocacy, Intervention Programs (Month Date, Year)
o Operations – including case management by health plan and quality improvement
Do you work for a program that is known to provide SUD services?
- If yes, you are subject to Part 2
o If you are a Part 2 provider, you must have written consent to share treatment
records
- If no, you are not subject to Part 2
Levels of authority
Generally, the higher you are on the pyramid, the more you can share health information with
others.
Can share any information covered
Signed by the ROI with anyone named on
release of the ROI
Can share information with family,
Verbal consent
in emergency situations, and when
authorized under HIPAA
No consent Can share information with others
or written for payment, treatment, and
operations. This includes care
coordination
Reviewed and adopted by the Burlington Police Commission on Month Date, Year.
__________________________________ _Month Date, Year_
Shawn Burke, Interim Chief of Police Effective Date
###
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BURLINGTON BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
City of Burlington, Vermont
RESOLUTION
Affirming the Commission’s Audit and Review Authority
Introduced: April 28, 2026
WHEREAS, the Burlington Board of Police Commissioners holds authority under Burlington
City Charter §§ 183 and 184 to audit and review Burlington Police Department actions for
conformity with current Department policy;
WHEREAS, that authority was affirmed and operationalized by City Council Resolution 7.09
(2021), which contains no exceptions for categories of records, types of police action, or
circumstances under which the Commission’s audit access may be withheld;
WHEREAS, the Commission exercised that authority by requesting body-worn camera footage
of the March 11, 2026 ICE detention and protest, and that footage was withheld from the date of
the Commission’s request until April 20, 2026, without a stated legal basis;
WHEREAS, the Commission’s audit and review authority is meaningful only if it is recognized
and honored by the Burlington Police Department and the City of Burlington;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Burlington Board of Police Commissioners
affirms that its audit and review authority under Charter §§ 183 and 184 and Resolution 7.09 is a
freestanding oversight power that admits no categorical exceptions, and that the withholding of
Department records from the Commission requires a specific, written legal justification; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission requests a meeting with the Mayor and the
President of the City Council to discuss how the Commission’s audit authority will be recognized
and honored going forward.
ADOPTED by the Burlington Board of Police Commissioners on April 28, 2026.
Vote:
Ayes: _______
Nays: _______
Abstentions: _______
_________________________________
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Robert Depper, Chair
Burlington Board of Police Commissioners
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