Burlington Police Are Increasingly Demoralized

[janterry]

The survey questions were open-ended and asked, in essence: Why are you still working at the Burlington Police Department? What do you want to see changed? What is the major reason you're staying? What would keep you from leaving if you're looking elsewhere?

The anonymous answers were brutal:

"The job used to be fun and occasionally satisfying and rewarding but now it's constantly miserable," was one response that Corrow read to the commission. "Most of that misery is being generated by the city administration/council ... the most dishonest group of people I've encountered in my entire profession. I've given the best years of my life in this job getting kicked, punched and spit on only to be rewarded with a group of people spreading lies and hatred about me and my coworkers to further their misguided ideologies."

Another said: "Last summer my daughter was terrorized at Burlington Parks and Rec summer camp by other children when she mentioned I'm a police officer. They threatened to light our car on fire and kill me and my wife. My daughter has had difficulties processing this and still will not talk to me about it."
https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/burlington-police-are-increasingly-demoralized-and-planning-to-leave-their-jobs/Content?oid=33532890

Efforts to cut police officers in Burlington has lead to increased community complaints, increased violence in the downtown area, mandatory overtime for those officers who have remained, and - now - in a complete turn - a call to hire MORE officers

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2021/08/02/burlington-police-commission-recommends-raising-roster-cap

[The Magistrate]

1. Creme-Puffs Masquerading As Hard-Rolls, Sir

Fire 'em before they leave.

[janterry]

2. do you mean they should be tougher?

I'm not up in Burlington, but I've followed what they've done this past year. They have really stretched the department. We've housed all of the folks who were not housed this past year - and the officers (esp. those up in Burlington) have covered those hotels in addition to everything else.

It's been a very difficult year. And crime in the downtown area is up. We've had shifts in the early morning hours that were completely open (there weren't enough officers).

I also know throughout the state, we've had trouble hiring.

[The Magistrate]

3. Police, Sir, Need To Grow The Fuck Up

They learned this past year a good many people do not approve of their bully-boy racism and recreational cruelty, and it seems to have genuinely surprised them, and now they whine and whimper. It's disgusting.

[Mopar151]

4. More like what was left when the rotten apples were thrown out!

Burlington isn't as nice as it looks, and city government seems to be in Vermont terms, "Xtra Crunchy Granola". They jumped on the "Defund The Police" bandwagon, when it did not fit their situation at all.