Burlington Police Officer Cory Campbell violated departmental rules last year when he swore at Douglas Kilburn in the moments before an altercation that led to the 54-year-old man’s death, police said Friday.
Campbell received a written reprimand for his conduct but remains a “valued member of this department,” Acting Chief Jon Murad said in a Friday afternoon press release.
The encounter between Campbell and Kilburn outside the University of Vermont Medical Center last March escalated quickly once Campbell yelled for Kilburn, who was arguing with private security from the driver’s seat of his SUV, to “shut the fuck up and leave.”
Kilburn responded, “You ain’t got a right to swear at me, motherfucker!” opened his car door, and struck Campbell in the face.
Campbell returned several bone-breaking punches that the state medical examiner said contributed to Kilburn’s untimely death a few days later.
Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced in November that he would not bring criminal charges against Campbell. But the AG did criticize the officer’s handling of the situation.
Burlington police started its internal probe into Campbell’s conduct following Donovan’s decision. At the time, then-police chief Brandon del Pozo told Seven Days that the review would focus on Campbell’s profanity and was unlikely to lead to suspension or termination.
That review is now complete. Friday’s announcement stated that Campbell’s language was “not directed at Mr. Kilburn’s character nor identity, but was instead used as an emphatic in an otherwise lawful order.”
Nonetheless, Campbell broke a rule barring officers from using “violent, insolent, or obscene language” during interactions with the public.
The department also said Campbell needed “retraining,” but concluded that the officer completed sufficient training during his prolonged period on administrative duty as the criminal investigation progressed. He’s been back on full duty since early November.
Some members of Kilburn’s family have faulted Campbell for escalating the encounter.
“It is clear to me that Officer Campbell’s aggression and his foul, vulgar mouth are what provoked this incident,” Kilburn’s uncle, Albert, told Seven Days last year.
Read the press release below:
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“The only reason this officer is even facing any reproductions for murder”
What’s a “reproduction” for murder?
“Sure would be nice if police would be held to the same standard as everyone else.”
Campbell was held to a higher standard. You and I face no consequences for physically defending ourselves from an assault. But Campbell was put on leave for doing that just because he is a policeman. You and I face no consequences for swearing at someone. But Campbell was disciplined for using the F-word just because he is a policeman.
The only reason this officer is even facing any reproductions for murder is because the last police chief was kicked out for lying to the public.
“”The more that we hear about how much the chief has tried to intervene in the investigation, the more uncomfortable we have become,” said Jason Gibbs, chief of staff to Gov. Phil Scott.” sevendays April 24 2019
If he had it his way nothing at all would have happened. Just move along nothing to see here.
Sure would be nice if police would be held to the same standard as everyone else.
:Campbell should have handled this properly and because he didn’t a man died.”
Wrong. False. A lie.
A man died because instead of following a police officer’s direction to leave the hospital parking lot, he got out of his car and punched the officer in the face. THAT’s why he died. Stop changing the facts to suit your anti-police prejudices.
Campbell should have handled this properly and because he didn’t a man died. To make matters worse, that man died directly because of Campbell’s actions. He certainly deserves more than a reprimand no matter who swore at whom first or who swung at whom first.
“Campbell swore at him first then they exchanged fists…”
First of all, ditto what Bradd says. I watched the entire tape. Kilburn was a jerk and a bully the entire time, and Campbell was restrained.
Second, they didn’t “exchange fists.” That’s a false narrative. Kilburn got out of his car and punched Campbell. There was one aggressor, and it was Kilburn.
Third, who taught you that if someone swears at you it’s ok to punch them? Who taught you that it’s ever ok to punch a police officer? Who taught you these things?
@Gigrape52@gmail.com
Someone swears at you so you punch them? Please…………Watch the whole tape and see the restraint used by Officer Campbell. Should he have sworn at the end? No but he should have not had to defend himself either.