BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Burlington City Council could eliminate the city’s cap on police officers during their meeting Monday night.
The cap has been highly controversial since it was instituted in 2020 as part of a defunding effort by Progressives on the council. In the years since, the department has seen an exodus of officers — from a high of 92 in July 2020 to 64 officers today.
The council once raised the cap in 2021 from 74 to 87 however recruitment and retention have been difficult.
Democrats say the police department is the only department subject to a cap on employees and getting rid of it will signal more support for the police department.
“Lifting the cap — yes, it’s going to take some time even for us to get to 87, but it sends an important and strong sign to our police department that we have their back,” said Burlington City Council President Ben Traverse, D-Ward 5.
The resolution also would start the process of investigating other ways to spur recruitment, like referral bonuses.
Because Democrats have a narrow majority on the council, the measure is expected to pass. They also say they hope a new police chief can come in and ask for what they believe the city needs and not be constrained by the cap.