Burlington Mayor Picks New Police Chief as Department Faces Steep Staffing Shortages
Burlington’s beleaguered police department is facing a tall order as Progressive Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak selects Anthony Geraci as the finalist to lead the agency, VTDigger reported. Burlington’s mayor has selected a new police chief.
The appointment comes after a months-long search following the departure of former Police Chief Jon Murad, who did not seek reappointment in 2025 after clashing with the mayor over public safety approaches. Interim Police Chief Shawn Burke has filled the role since March 2025. The Burlington City Council is scheduled to vote on Geraci’s mayoral appointment on November 9.
In a statement, Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak calls Geraci an exceptional candidate with the experience, character and values to meet our community safety challenges.
A Law Enforcement Career Spanning Decades Across New York and Texas
Geraci brings a 25-year law enforcement career to Vermont, beginning in 1998 with the New York City Police Department before spending about 15 years with the Albany Police Department. He later served as police chief in Watervliet, New York, where the city placed him on leave after 10 months amid budget constraints related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The local police union backed Geraci at the time, arguing his dismissal was personal and stemmed from changes he made that deprioritized traffic ticketing revenue, as reported by The Times Union and cited by NewsBreak.
Following his time in Watervliet, Geraci served as police chief in Newburgh, New York, between 2021 and 2024, a city known for high crime rates and departmental accountability issues. He left Newburgh amid accusations of misconduct by three women, though Geraci told Hudson Valley News 12 that an independent investigator cleared him of official wrongdoing. He subsequently worked as director of security for Newburgh schools before leaving after leadership changes, and most recently worked for the Texas-based recruitment firm Strategic Government Resources. He refuted the claims as retaliatory
and an effort to tarnish
his character. Geraci said he left that position after changes in district leadership no longer aligned with my personal values,
Westchester News 12 reported.
Community Reactions and Demands for Civilian Oversight
City Councilor Melo Grant, who served on the 12-person hiring committee, noted that Geraci’s appointment comes as shoring up the beleaguered department won’t be easy.
Stephanie Seguino, an economist at the University of Vermont and former member of the city's police commission, stressed the importance of strong civilian oversight in reviewing citizen complaints and handling disciplinary decisions.
As the November 9 City Council vote approaches, civic leaders and residents emphasize the need for Geraci to understand the community, evaluate department capabilities, and build partnerships.
