Burlington Police: Council confirms Geraci as chief

Anthony Geraci became the new chief of the Burlington Police Department on Tuesday following a 10-2 vote by the City Council on Monday night. The confirmation concludes a search that began when former Chief Jon Murad resigned in late 2024. Interim Chief Shawn Burke has led the department since early 2025 and will remain on staff until March to assist with the transition.

The council vote was not unanimous. Becca Brown McKnight, a Democrat from Ward 6, and Evan Litwin, a Democrat from Ward 7, voted against the appointment. Brown McKnight cited allegations of gender discrimination and retaliation made by three women during Geraci's tenure as chief in Newburgh, N.Y. An independent investigation found those accusations unsubstantiated. She argued that the hiring committee and recruiting agency did not sufficiently vet the claims.

“This is what institutional sexism looks like at every turn, another barrier prevents us from understanding what happened to the women involved,” Brown McKnight said. “I’m really disappointed that our first-ever female mayor has brought forward a candidate with this history.”

Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak pushed back against the criticism. She stated that she personally investigated the claims and reviewed Geraci's references. The mayor pointed to a background check by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as evidence that the allegations were unfounded. “I am, frankly, very disappointed that’s where the level of debate was taken tonight on a candidate who is very qualified to be the next chief of the Burlington Police Department,” she said.

Litwin criticized the selection process as opaque. He noted the delay in naming a permanent chief after Murad's departure. The debate lasted approximately one hour. Litwin attempted to call for a vote earlier than scheduled, but other councilors opposed the motion. The exchange between Litwin, Brown McKnight, and other councilors became heated. Mulvaney-Stanak offered an apology to Geraci and his family, who were present in the chamber.

Council President Ben Traverse, who announced his mayoral campaign the previous Friday, voted to support Geraci. He told the new chief that the council stood behind him despite any initial skepticism from some members. Traverse had spent the days before the meeting deliberating on how to cast his vote.

Before the vote, the mayor introduced Geraci at a press conference at police headquarters. She highlighted his 25 years of law enforcement experience, mostly in upstate New York. He served as chief in Newburgh from 2021 to 2024. The mayor stated that his strategies there reduced gun violence by half between 2022 and 2023. Geraci pledged to be an apolitical leader focused on trust and accountability.

“I believe effective policing requires trust, transparency, accountability and meaningful partnerships,” Geraci said. “I’m prepared to understand your concerns, your expectations, and what you believe is the vision for a safer Burlington.”

Geraci identified replenishing the department's staff as a primary goal. The number of sworn officers dropped from 99 in June 2020 to 54 in late October. He urged residents to apply and support the hiring effort. “Please support your police department,” he said. “We are hiring. Help us rebuild our ranks.”

Supporters of the nomination included Councilors Gene Bergman and Mark Barlow, State Representative Ali Dieng, and Burlington Police Officers’ Association president Padric Hartnett. Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George said she trusted the mayor's judgment in selecting Geraci. A 12-person committee had narrowed the field from 15 candidates to three for the final selection.