Burlington City Council Approves Anthony Geraci as New Police Chief

The Burlington City Council voted 10-2 on Monday night to appoint Anthony Geraci as the city’s new police chief, concluding a search process that spanned more than 20 months.

Geraci, who previously led the police department in Newburgh, New York, will officially begin his tenure on Tuesday as the city addresses public safety issues in the downtown area.

The confirmation follows a period of transition that began in February 2025, when interim Chief Shawn Burke stepped into the role following the departure of former Chief Jon Murad. Burke will remain with the department through March to assist in the transition and manage staffing needs while Geraci undergoes the formal law enforcement certification process with the Vermont Criminal Justice Council.

Burlington police chief nominee Anthony Geraci answers questions from the media

Geraci’s nomination sparked debate regarding his 2024 resignation from Newburgh following allegations of gender discrimination. While an independent third-party investigation ultimately found the claims unsupported, the lack of transparency surrounding that process became a focal point of Monday’s council meeting. Councilors Becca Brown McKnight and Evan Litwin cast the only dissenting votes, citing an inability to review the specific details of the investigation.

“I’m in no way making a judgment about what happened. I cannot do that, because I don’t have the facts. No one here does,” Brown McKnight stated. She expressed disappointment that the council was asked to vote without full access to the underlying records of the case.

Burlington mayor introduces police chief nominee

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak defended the vetting process, asserting that the city had conducted a thorough review and that no records were withheld. “There are no sealed records,” the mayor said during the meeting. She noted that she had personally interviewed Geraci about the complaints and expressed confidence in his integrity and leadership values.

Despite the controversy, the majority of the council offered Geraci strong support, focusing on his experience with recruitment and community policing. During the public comment session, residents offered a mix of skepticism and optimism, with one speaker telling the new chief, “Congratulations chief, welcome to Burlington, my condolences.”

burlington police chief nominee anthony geraci answers questions from the media — Photo: mynbc5.com

“I’m prepared to understand your concerns, your expectations and what your vision is for a safer Burlington. I also firmly believe that public safety is a shared responsibility and one we cannot do alone,” Geraci said.

Geraci brings over a decade of leadership experience from departments in the Albany, New York, area. His immediate priority is addressing the city’s staffing shortages and building trust with the community. He told the council he does not believe he has all the answers and plans to spend his first few weeks in a period of listening and learning.

The divide on the council highlights the tension between the urgency of filling a leadership vacancy and the demand for absolute transparency in municipal hiring. While the Progressive caucus voted unanimously for Geraci, and most Democratic members followed suit, objections from Brown McKnight and Litwin mean the new chief will face intense scrutiny as he begins his work.

For now, the transition period through March offers a window for Geraci to establish his footing before he assumes the full weight of the chief’s responsibilities.