Vermont residents hoping to secure a position as part of law enforcement should first conduct some preliminary research. Each person looking to apply must first make sure that they will make it through the initial screening process by meeting all requirements which Vermont puts forward. These requirements are listed below, but keep in mind that sometimes individual police departments may have additional requests of their applicants. Always confirm with the department with which you’re seeking employment to ensure that there aren’t additional requirements. Once you submit an application and are selected by the precinct to move forward, you would then be able to take the required tests (written, physical ability etc.). After that, you would likely undergo an interview before a panel of officers, then a psychological interview, followed by a background check and polygraph test. If a person passes all the steps, they may be offered a job. Once a job offer is in place, the new hire would then attend basic training at a police academy in Vermont. After successfully graduating out of the academy, a person is required to then be trained on the field under a supervising officer. After accomplishing all of this they would become a full police officer in the state of Vermont.
Vermont State Requirements
The requirements for individuals who wish to become law enforcement officials in Vermont are as follows: Applicants must be 21 or older and possess normal hearing and vision (may be corrected). Applicants for police work in Vermont must have graduated from high school or earned a GED certificate. A college degree is not required but it is desirable. Military service is also desirable, but again, not required. Applicants need a valid state driver’s license by the time they are hired. Applicants may not have committed a felony, domestic violence and can’t have a poor driving record.
Salary for Vermont Police Officers
The average yearly salary for a patrol officer in Vermont is close to the nation’s average for police, and is approximately 43,000 a year. For those that achieve promotions to a higher rank in the police department, average salaries are more around 70,000 a year in Vermont. Keep in mind that these numbers are averages. A person is not guaranteed the number listed above as it varies depending on levels of education, experience, and location. Higher education levels usually lead to a higher salary as does more experience and working in a more populated area of Vermont.
Law Enforcement School Options in Vermont
In Vermont, it is preferred that a police officer applicant have a college degree. It is not required, but since it is listed as preferred, it would be a good goal to work towards in hopes of increasing your chances at a Vermont police job. This listing has schools in Vermont which offer programs related to law enforcement. Having a more specific degree (such as forensic psychology) could make an individual a more desirable candidate. Having a degree may also mean that a person would start out with higher compensation than those without a degree.
- Burlington College
351 North Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401
800-862-9616
- Castleton State College
62 Alumni Drive, Castleton, VT 05735
802-468-5611
- Champlain College
163 S Willard Street, Burlington, VT 05401
802-860-2700
- College of St. Joseph
71 Clement Road, Rutland, VT 05701
802-773-5900
- Community College of Vermont
Many location across Vermont- 802-828-2800
- Norwich University
158 Harmon Drive, Northfield, VT 05663
802-485-2000
- Southern Vermont College
982 Mansion Drive, Bennington, VT 05201
802-447-4000
- Stratford Career Institute
12 Champlain Commons, Saint Albans, VT 05478
802-527-1132