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Burlington Police Not Talking About Investigation

The Burlington Police Department won't release further information about the recent investigation into an officer who has now resigned from the department.

The department informed a few city leaders and several local news outlets, including Tri States Public Radio, at about 5:00 pm on Friday, Dec. 5. that the investigation was complete.  The statement was five sentences long.

The internal investigation surrounded a video of officers responding to a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of N. Gertrude Street on Nov. 9.

The video appears to show Dale Wyatt, one of the responding officers, taking the camera from the individual who was recording the response.

The statement announcing the investigation's completion also said  Wyatt retired effective immediately.  He had been on paid administrative leave prior to his retirement.

Chief Doug Beaird said in the statement, "Police officers often face difficult and rapidly evolving situations in the field.  Whatever the situation, it is not the policy of the Burlington Police Department to interfere with the taking of video by private citizens, unless there exists an overriding concern for public safety."

He declined TSPR's request for an interview or statement, saying in a separate email that he was advised by legal counsel against commenting on personnel issues.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.