[B]URLINGTON – Three African American men were appointed by Burlington City Council to the city’s police commission Monday night, following a heated debate over removing two incumbents from their positions.
The council appointed new members Yuol Herjok Yuol, a social worker; Jabulani Gamache, a bartender; and Mark Hughes, a retired army officer and activist, to the seven-person commission.
The appointments follow lawsuits against Burlington police officers over alleged use of excessive force against two black men.
The police commission meets monthly to review citizen complaints and personnel matters including contracts, policies and officer discipline. The new members will serve three-year terms.
The council received 10 applications for four open positions, and vice-chair Shireen Hart was the only incumbent reelected to her seat. After Hart was approved unanimously, each councilor was permitted to nominate a candidate. Mayor Miro Weinberger was able to vote along with the council, and candidates only needed a simple majority – or seven votes – to win a seat.
Councilor Karen Paul, D-Ward 6, nominated Yuol who received 10 votes.
Yuol wrote in his application that he wants to be the “voice of the forgotten community.”
“I feel the gap between the police and the community is very wide and I want to help shorten that gap, and bring trust back to the community,” Yuol told councilors before the vote.
Councilor Adam Roof, I-Ward 8, nominated Gamache, who was elected with eight votes.
Gamache wrote in his application that he’s worked as a bartender at Manhattan Pizza & Pub for the past eight years, and frequently witnesses police enter the bar for public safety checks or as first responders.
He said as a 33-year-old black man, he has an understanding of the dynamics between police and communities of color.
The appointment for the last seat sparked controversial debate.
Councilor Joan Shannon, D-South District, nominated incumbent James Dunn, a retired lawyer who had represented the Burlington Police Department in negotiations with the union for more than 40 years.
“He is not afraid to challenge the chief, while at the same not being adversarial,” she said.
Shannon said while the commission needs “new blood” it is important to also have continuity.
Councilor Brian Pine, P-Ward 3, said he was originally going to vote for Dunn but changed his mind. He countered by nominating Hughes.
Hughes is the director of Justice for All VT, a racial justice advocacy organization. He said in his application that his military service allows him to offer a unique perspective with familiarity of the structure presented by law enforcement.
“I have a first-hand knowledge and a full appreciation of what it means to place one’s life in harms way to protect the freedoms of others or to place one’s life in the hands of a colleague,” Hughes wrote.
In announcing his nominee, Pine said the Police Commission needs new voices to make personal lived experiences and perspectives heard. He said there is a “huge racial divide” in the city of Burlington.
“There’s a certain level of discomfort when certain people speak up and push the envelope,” Pine said. “I think that is exactly what is needed right now.”
Council President Kurt Wright, R-Ward 4, criticized the effort to remove incumbent members from the volunteer commission. He said the council “added great diversity” with previous votes, referencing the appointments of Yuol and Gamache.
“This is discouraging to citizens who apply to a commission and are put on by this body, only to be removed a year and a half later,” Wright said.
Councilor Max Tracy, P-Ward 2, countered in support of Hughes.
“I see some of the opposition to Mark [Hughes] as coming from a place of being afraid of being concerned that Mark [Hughes] is someone who will ask tough questions,” Tracy said.
Councilor Perri Freeman, responded to Wright’s comments, saying his language “tokenizes” candidates.
Hughes was elected with eight votes versus five for Dunn. Weinberger, Wright, Shannon, Councilor Chip Mason, D-Ward 5, and Councilor Franklin Paulino, D-North District, all backed Dunn.
