By Michael Bielawski
After a Vermont police officer told a Spanish-speaking person at a February 7 Vermont Criminal Justice Council meeting, “You’re here f—–g illegally,” his comment was called “offensive” and “devastating” by the council and “racist” by advocates for undocumented workers – AKA illegal immigrants.
But was Michael Major’s statement factually accurate? Yes, according to federal law, assuming Major was referring to Migrant Justice members in Vermont in violation of federal immigration law. But Vermont’s Trump-era “Fair and Impartial Policing Policy” governing all Vermont police offers a different answer: “None of your business, officer.”
The hot mic moment occurred during a virtual “Zoom” meeting of the VCJC, an appointed board created by the Legislature to oversee policing policy, training and discipline. A spokesperson for advocacy group Migrant Justice was speaking about the state’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy.
Major, a Bristol police officer and deputy sheriff representing the Vermont Police Association on the VCJC, interrupted with this audio-only comment: “You’re here f—ing illegally and you’re worried about being safe. Oh yeah. Unreal.” His subsequent claim that he was speaking to his daughter was met with scorn and disbelief by VCJC members. It is likely he was “speaking to the screen,” unaware his cellphone was not muted.
Major’s comment prompted a rebuke by Council Chair William Sorrell, who said “that opinion is not welcome.”
Within minutes, Major apologized profusely and resigned his Council position as Vermont Police Association representative. Within hours he resigned his part-time job with the Bristol Police Department. The next day he resigned as a Chittenden County deputy sheriff. All three resignations were accepted speedily and without expression of regret.
Major’s statement clearly was rude and crude. Both what he said and how he said it offended the council and his employers. But – was he wrong?
The Fair and Impartial Policing Policy
After the 2016 election of Donald Trump, many Vermont lawmakers, officials and activists were determined to resist the new president’s desire to strenuously police the border against illegal immigration. The result was the VCJC adoption in December, 2017 of the Fair and Impartial Policing policy.
Policy stated
The policy states “If any [agency member or employee] receives a call for service that appears to be based solely on an individual’s perceived personal characteristics or immigration status, the [agency member] will attempt to ascertain if there are other circumstances or facts that would constitute reasonable suspicion or probable cause.”
Justified by concern for public safety
The introduction to the policy claims that “enforcement of civil immigration law is a federal responsibility” and for Vermont police to enforce these laws risks the “partnership with Vermont residents” that “is the most effective way to ensure public safety.” The introduction reads:
“Because partnership with Vermont residents is the most effective way to ensure public safety, maintaining the public’s trust is a primary concern. To secure this trust personal characteristics, or immigration status, should have no adverse bearing on an individual’s treatment in [Agency’s] custody. Enforcement of civil immigration law is a federal responsibility and agencies should not engage in such enforcement except as otherwise outlined in this policy. Vermont residents are more likely to engage with law enforcement and other officials by reporting emergencies, crimes, and acting as witnesses; to participate in economic activity; and to be engaged in civic life if they can be assured they will not be singled out for scrutiny on the basis of the personal characteristics or immigration status.”
Police violating policy face internal investigation
If an officer is not believed to be following this policy, they risk facing internal investigation. The policy states, “All [agency members] are required to promptly report allegations, complaints or knowledge of biased policing or suspected violations of this policy to their supervisor and the department’s internal investigation function. Where appropriate, employees are required to intervene at the time the biased policing incident occurs.”
Former Manchester Police Chief Michael Hall told True North Reports in 2019 that fair and impartial policing hinders the ability of officers to use demographics during an investigation.
“Basically, that’s what law enforcement consists of — taking known factors and then compiling that with other elements to arise to a level of suspicion, and then you check it out further,” he said. “… I was pretty strongly opposed to what this state had instituted.”
An “offensive” and “devastating” remark
In the aftermath, council members and social justice leaders condemned Major’s comment. That day, the Council on their website called it “an offensive statement that was insulting to our invited guests from Migrant Justice, to our other Council members, and to the organizations and communities that our Council members represent.” They added, “the impact of his words was devastating.”
The officer’s former boss Chief Bruce Nason did not have kind parting words.
“Major’s comments do not reflect the views of the Bristol Police Department or the officers that seek to make the Bristol Community safe and welcoming to all,” he wrote in an email to NBC News.
Migrant Justice released a statement saying this was, “a clear and painful reflection of the racism that still exists in this state. … The state must act now to remove Trump-era loopholes and truly protect immigrant rights.”
The Council calls it a “marginalized” population that is frustrated with the situation with illegal immigration. They said, “his divisive remark exemplifies the fears felt by marginalized populations too often in our State.”
The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle
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Categories: Crime
Perhaps the officer shouldn’t have used profanity, but the truth is that the person he was speaking about was/is an illegal and they are taking money and resources away from the legal people of this country. Should they come into this country LEGALLY then fine.
He was 100 % factual in his statement, I support this statement and pushback of the agenda that is being pushed. Minus the profanity of course but maybe it is justified??
In glorious progressive utopia, peoples republic of Vermont, telling the truth is no defense. For telling the truth ,comrade. Welcome to the regime of the lawless left where no one is above the laws they selectively enforce. If ever.
It’s a sad day when calling a criminal a criminal is not acceptable. Of course these days some are claiming that biological males are females, boys are showering and changing closes in girls locker rooms, and playing sports on “girl’s” teams, pedophiles are referred to as minor attracted people (MAPs), violent protests are referred to as “mostly peaceful”, socialists, and communists are embraced under the guise of “progressivism”, we have a President that would not be mentally capable of being a dog catcher, up is down, left is right, it’s a mixed up muddled up shock up world and so is Lola !
Oops! Clothes, not closes !
They should have an edit feature on this section. However, I do agree with you.
While I agree with most of your comment, As the Animal Control Officer for our town even the dog catcher has to have qualifications
Sorry, How about Possum Queen of Bugtussle ?
Migrant justice? Three of my grandparents, came to the US legally, with nothing but the clothes on their backs. But they had sponsors and jobs. They became naturalized citizens, learned to speak English, adapted to the culture, worked, raised families and became respected members of their communities. They lived through the Great Depression and survived the deprivations caused by rationing and shortages during WWI and WWII, all without “public assistance”. They had a lot of grit and determination and took responsibility for themselves by working long hours at demanding jobs. They appreciated the freedom and opportunity and gave back in spades. Seems to me it’s a two way street.
Of course illegals feel marginalized. It’s not racism. They’re here illegally.
And that’s the way it should be. There are ways to do that today Look up H2B visas. They allow people to come here legally work for 3 yrs go back home for 3 months and come back . They are sponsored by employers and many resorts use them.They aren’t hard to get once you have that sponsor.
My relatives too. Even the ones who got out of East Germany!
While his position on the VCJC may have been compromised, his resignation is just as significant for the statement it makes about that council and the “thoughtspeak” it is based upon. Police and other LEOs take an oath to uphold the State and Local laws, the various state Constitutions and the US law and Constitution, hence the need for truly “fair and impartial” police behavior. Namely, the oath demands the fair and impartial enforcement of these laws as sworn by oath of the officer.
To leave the VCJC due to his lack of discretion and decorum on a hot mike is proper, but still spotlights the underlying racism and legal atheism that controls these Psuedo-Councils whose self-righteousness is their only value system.
There is no justification other than a hatred for secure borders and the Rule of Law that can explain the contradictory nature of the VCJC. Are they truly a “criminal justice” tool that pursues fairness and equal justice if their central Purpose is to take vows to refuse to enforce Constitutionally protected law enforcement, Much Less Free Speech by its own members? And then to empower such a tool to destroy careers and lives and reputations is proof the main goal is anarchic and race-based and in service of a “Justice for thee and not for thou…” system completely degraded from the “equal justice under the law” carved into the porticos of so many courthouses across the nation.
DEI, Wokeness, Sanctuary self-righteousness and the VCJC need to be swept away in favor of a truly fair, race blind, and speedy criminal justice system. The alternative is the dustbin of history that now seems the destiny of our once great republic…
To expect in others law-abiding values and a core belief in our constitutional rights as the foundation for a living growing decent society is not quaint and old-fashioned. It is merely the least we can demand if we wish to survive.
You’re the problem with Vermont, he didn’t break any oath he stated a fact that unfortunately people have an issue with.
How many of us have had an oops moment when we thought we had muted a phone, or computer ? His comments were unfortunately caught in such a moment. Personally I may have apologized for not making sure that my comments were kept to myself, but I would not have apologized for having a different opinion.
Cassandra Burdyshaw of the VT Human Rights Commission on the Council states “No person is illegal”. Excuse me? How does she manage to explain that? ANYONE coming though this country’s borders without the proper documentation is ILLEGAL. Ms. Burdyshaw, what don’t you get about that?
Could not of said it any better.
That is the problem today people are offended by the facts, Vermont is a progressive toilet.
What can we expect from an administration that allowed and supported ANTIFA & BLM Burning down cities all in the name of Social Justice. They even had BLM (an admitted Marxist criminal organization) in painted on the streets of Vermont’s capital city MONTPELIER, Vt. Let me quote: “Legislators, senators, that come into the statehouse, it’s a reminder that we need to make Vermont a more equitable place for everyone,” said Noel Riby-Williams, the organizer. “We take it seriously being a small-town state capital, but we hope to cast a pretty large shadow over the rest of the country,” said Montpelier Councilman Conor Casey. “People should all be treated equal, but our county doesn’t do that. They should start,” said Donald Parmelee, who volunteered. The Mad Hatter Bernie Sanders (communist) who shows Up to Anti-Gun Rally With Armed Security SMH.
He shouldn’t have apologized for speaking the truth.
Far more societal harm is done when lies are propagated as if they were truths than if truths are spoken with a clear voice. Just look at all the child mutilation happening in the name of trans ideology. Look at the babies being murdered in the name of women’s rights. Look at the societal rot caused by the left’s destruction of the nuclear family in the name of “equity.”
What is wrong with a “divisive remark” when it divides legal from illegal activities – criminals from law-abiding citizens? Nothing at all.
Devastated? how ridiculous. A sizable percentage of Vermonters fall for these Progressive rulers who have nothing but distain for the remaining liberties citizens may have in Dystopian Vermont. In the case of Mike Major, his reference to the truth violated the “newspeak” of the totalitarian superstate. These Progressive rulers in Vermont remind me of C.S. Lewis’s description of the moral busybody: “of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive …. Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience”
That opinion is not welcome here? It was a fact. Sad times in Vermont. You call it what it is and it’s racist. First and foremost for Vermont should be massive voting reform. I’m a big believer that voting in Vermont is more a formality and most of our so called elected officials buy their positions and are truly not elected by the people. We’ll never know because the corruption is out of control.
Don’t you just hate it when the truth is “ rude and crude “ ? People should be worried about violators of the law …not that words made them uncomfortable !
And they invoke Trump’s name in this article , when he has not one thing to do with it …is pathetic at best .
By the way , haven’t the Democrats been in charge of regulating our lives in Vermont ,even prior to the Trump administration ? And why have they waited so long to “ correct “ the situation ?
Liberalism often does not conform to laws .
Racist? No. Rude? No, it was blunt. Crude? No more than what most people regularly tolerate on tv and in movies. No more than the woman who flipped out at the Burlington City Council meeting a few months back, I don’t recall any uproar over that. So he dropped the f bomb, yeah probably not the vibe that should be presented by LE, but this is clearly a case of mock outrage. Other than the f word, it was no different than the child who said “hey, that guy is naked” (modern paraphrase) in the Emperor’s New Clothes.
It’s unfortunate that the officer wasn’t situationally aware.
It’s unfortunate that the officer was under obligation to a set of standards that requires that in effect, he be an automaton.
Its egregious that illegal aliens/immigrants, who are guilty of a FEDERAL crime, are given rights over a legal citizen. Given benefits over men and women who have given their “full measure of devotion” to this country and state. That this Vermont Criminal Justice Council is comprised of felons who have some sort of impact on law enforcement officers is outrageously ludicrous. It is possible I misunderstand the situation, but I think not. Please do correct me if you think I have.
Do LEO’s need to uphold certain standards… absolutely, yes. Should Mr. Major have made his statement out loud, no. More and most importantly, has his past behavior…. or words in any way, shape or form given suspicion that he should not hold his job? That is the question that begs more research and investigation.
Do all humans have a right to be treated humanely, of course. But if illegal immigrants/aliens have already demonstrated that they do not value the laws and citizens of this country then they forfeit a great many things that we citizens take for granted. This is the first problem.
The other two factors which stand out here are the inability to work with SJW’s and the inevitable destruction of our society. You cannot in any way, rationalize, discuss empirically or logically any facts with those who fall on the left/progressive/woke whatever you want to call them, or they call themselves. If you attempt to point out logic and/or facts, their cognitive dissonance compels them to double down, and you make their “case” for them.
The second factor is that this will only get worse. The crime, the loss of rights, the degradation of our society, the loss of freedom, as we move further into tyranny.
This is evident by the hullabaloo created by this incident. Amongst many other things of course.
Are there illegal immigrants/aliens who are legitimately here for asylum. I’m sure there are. A few. The rest are either under the thumb of the cartels, a foreign government or psychopathic opportunists or all of the above. The fact that our government, both state and federal, continue to not only allow this to happen but that our own governor does not stand up for us citizens is reprehensible.
Respectfully,
Pam Baker
Vermont’s law itself is what is ultimately f***king illegal. Federal law TRUMPS state law. A state can increase the penalties or parameters of a federal law as long as they remain in compliance with the meaning & intended purpose. VT and other wacko blue states cannot lawfully declare that they do not accept or enforce federal laws. Retail marijuana sales as well remain illegal. Not deporting or otherwise protecting illegal aliens from our rule of law is the same. And for such disobedience, federal funding for certain purposes should be cut-off as once suggested by Trump.
Yet as far as I know, freedom of speech still prevails and like it or not, utilizing adult language, off the record especially, is NOT unlawful. But VT and their PC &DEI nonsense ought to be.
He was factually accurate. It was a classic hot mic moment when an unpopular opinion is said out loud. Embarrassing maybe but not criminal. To call it “devastating” is just dumb.
You are incorrect, I think, when you say “an unpopular opinion is said.” His opinion is very popular. He should run for legislature. There are only a handful of girls that wag their silly toungs against speaking true statements. Street level, maybe, but very popular.
Where can one find the latest draft of the policy which the committee has been working on? What changes are they intending to make? What were the chefs objections? During the zoom meeting the chairman stated several times the draft is was available.
20,000 Chinese nationals (young men of military age) coming here illegally just in the last four months!!!! Why are they still coming too?? It’s no longer people need to guard other peoples feelings in what they express—and hope they don’t loose their job over it!!!! They have to look at what is a country’s motivation to send that many young men—-to infiltrate this country for what purpose??? To hades with what the progressives think—-This is a National Security Crisis!!!! Wake up people!!!!
Mike Major and I were Boy Scout leaders together while our sons were members. Mike’s a great guy. Mike is a no-nonsense, straight shooter. He did nothing wrong here. This is merely the ongoing ‘progressive-Democrat’ persecution of lawfare that is now rampant in our government.
Expletives are just that. Expletives. Not expository. A bad tactic.
The Leftists actually only care about the relationship between the police and the illegals. Because the fact is, the vast majority trust the police to uphold ALL laws, including breaking and entering, otherwise known as “illegal immigration”.
If there is a trust that has crumbled, it is NOT between the citizens and the police. It is between the citizens and the government.
Throw every Leftist d—bag out of office, restore law and order, and take this state back.
that deputy sheriff won’t have any problem getting a job in New hampshire. people there are realistic on what is normal and what isn’t. progressive vermont is the most liberal state in the nation I read, even more so than California
how is that impeachment going on the franklin county sheriff/// dead nothing/// when are the clowns ,who pushed this agenda going to pay back the tax payers for the time and money spent/// never/// never/// never///
“Migrant Justice”; I’m all for migrant justice, if they are here illegally they should be deported. “the impact of his words was devastating.”; really? If the simple truth is too hurtful for his delicate sensibilities, that’s his problem. “Major’s comments do not reflect the views of the Bristol Police Department or the officers that seek to make the Bristol Community safe and welcoming to all,”; I’m devastated and offended by the sniveling, gutless worms that are the Bristol Police Department, and the Chittenden County sheriff who were too spineless to back Mike up. “a clear and painful reflection of the racism that still exists in this state”; total BS, I don’t care what color you are, if you’re here illegally you should be arrested and deported immediately. “The Council calls it a “marginalized” population that is frustrated with the situation with illegal immigration. They said, “his divisive remark exemplifies the fears felt by marginalized populations too often in our State.” They’re here illegally, they should be marginalized. The only “fears” they have is getting caught and the only financial support they should get is a plane ticket home.
Excellent Paul. I made the same case in my email to VCJC. Spot on!!
Respectfully,
Pam Baker
Agree completely! Well said! Thank you!
Before I read any comments, I will have to point out one quoted italic excerpt from the “Fair and Impartial Policing Policy”:
“…Enforcement of civil immigration law is a federal responsibility…”
The thing I would like to point out is that the Federal Government has failed to uphold their responsibility. It is very clear. This fact, along with so many other instances of failure of duty to uphold fairness, leads one to wonder if the Federal Government is actually the peoples’ enemy, or controlled by our enemy (we have many).
The Gentleman from Bristol, Mr. Mike Major, should run for a higher office, in my opinion, as long as he agrees to continue being angry. I do not trust anyone who isn’t angry about the facts and events unfolding before us.
This police officer appears to be very much involved in his profession and community. At a time that we are struggling to recruit good people to protect our citizens because the far left has defunded law enforcement and created this negative image of them, only to realize our crime in Vermont doesn’t look any better than that of this nations worst crime ridden cities. Couple that with our pathetic justice departments policies, and we have the perfect storm. Other than dropping the F bomb it appears he made an accurate comment. When will citizens of this state wake up and stop these woke individuals from making this once beautiful state uninhabitable.
I think I’ll pack a bus full of my friends and hit the road for Mexico. After crossing the border we will go to the nearest big city, demand migrant Justice and then tell the police they are racist. I wonder how that will work out.
“illegal immigration is a felony under Mexican law. In fact, Article 123 of the General Law of Population mandates that “a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of three hundred to five hundred thousand pesos will be imposed on the foreigner who enters the country illegally.”Nov 28, 2022
OMG what are we coming to. Look who we’ve empowered to oversee our affairs and how they treat our conscientious public servants. Is this how we want our community to function?
What makes you think what we want matters?
I think that the thing to do was apologize and move on. Messing with someone’s livelihood over a mistake is bad karma.
Progressive loons are offensive and devastating.
Unvetted, illegal entry into the United State of America, funded and supported by a belligerent, installed regime is not migration or immigration. It is criminal conduct under Federal law. Aiding and abetting criminal conduct is a violation of Federal law. Do we have a military that upholds their oath and applies war manual military law or no?
“You are what you is. You is what you am”. – Frank Zappa
This is not going to be a popular opinion, but the title of this article implies there was going to be a determination (or an attempt at least) made on the Migrant Justice speaker’s immigration status, but that information was never actually provided or arrived at.
There’s only one sentence that addresses the article’s question—— “Yes, according to federal law, assuming Major was referring to Migrant Justice members in Vermont in violation of federal immigration law”——-
—but this clearly is a conditional statement and not case-specific to the individual.
Nonetheless the readers are quick to jump on the “assumption” of this persons illegal status- (which is the actual problem with the officers behavior no one can seem to see- you can’t look at ANY individual members of Migrant Justice and be correct about even their immigration statuses because many have active asylum claims or other benefits and extensions) —- there is only one agency who can make that determination and the VT law enforcement board has already taken political steps to LIMIT that cooperation rather than foster it. Now the situation is so far off the deep end we have ignorant cops in actual meetings with POSSIBLE illegal aliens and this is the result.
Either way, the question remains unanswered.