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Burlington Police Officer on Paid Leave

The Burlington Police Department placed Officer Dale Wyatt on paid administrative leave on Monday, Nov. 17, following an altercation with a citizen this month.

A video posted online appears to show Wyatt taking a cell phone from a resident.  That person was filming police officers, including Wyatt, who responded to a call to his home.

Police Chief Doug Beaird told the Burlington City Council this week that the circumstances surrounding the altercation are being investigated.

"Police officers often face difficult and rapidly evolving situations in the field," said Beaird. 

"Whatever the situation, it is not the policy of the Burlington Police Department to interfere with the taking of video by private citizens."

He said the only exception would be if there exists "an overriding concern for public safety."

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