The Vermont State Police (802-483-2606), through the Vermont Department of Public Safety, serves as a full-service law enforcement agency that provides law enforcement services to the nearly 200 towns of Vermont.
To become a state trooper in Vermont, you must complete the following steps:
- Review minimum requirements for employment
- Apply online
- Send in required documents
- Take the written test, physical fitness assessment, and the psychological evaluation
- Meet with the Hiring Panel
- Complete a polygraph, background investigation and a medical exam
- Meet with the Colonel L’Esperance
- Complete training through the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Center
Step 1: Review minimum requirements for employment
Before submitting an application for employment as a Vermont State Police State Trooper, you should review basic employment requirements. In particular, you must meet the following requirements to become a Vermont State Trooper:
- You must be at least 20 years old to begin the process.
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You must have satisfactory vision and hearing.
- You must have a high school diploma or GED.
- You must be registered with the Selective Service System (males).
- You must be a Vermont residence upon graduation from the Academy.
- You must possess a valid driver’s license. You must possess a valid Vermont driver’s license upon graduation from the Academy.
You will not qualify as a Vermont State Trooper if:
- You have any visible body piercings, tattoos, or body art when in uniform
- You have been convicted or any felonies
- You are not crime-free for at least one year prior to applying
Step 2: Apply online
Once you have determined you meet all of the basic requirements for employment as a Vermont State Trooper, you must create a user account with the Department of Human Resources. Once you have created an account you can apply for the position of a Vermont State Trooper (all State Trooper jobs are listed under the “Protective Services” job category as Trooper 1/C) using the State of Vermont online application.
Step 3: Send in required documents
Upon completion of your online application, you must immediately send the Office of Professional Development/Training Division the following:
- Applicant Contact Information form
- Copy of your birth certificate
- Copy of your high school diploma or transcripts
- Copy of your DD-214 (for applicants with military experience only)
- Photocopy of your driver’s license
All documents must be sent to:
Director of Recruiting and Training
Vermont State Police
317 Academy Road – West Cottage
Pittsford, VT 05763
Once the Director of Recruiting and Training has received your documents and your application, you will receive a confirmation, as well as information regarding Phase 1 Testing.
Step 4: Take the Written Test, Physical Fitness Assessment, and the
Psychological Evaluation
You will receive a date to take the written test, the physical fitness assessment, and the psychological evaluation, all of which occur on the same day. You must pass each test to move onto the next test, and you must bring $30 and your state- or government-issued identification to the Vermont Police Academy on the day of the exams.
Physical fitness standards are evaluated by calculating your body fat percentage and by completing the following exercises: sit and reach; bench press; sit-ups; push-ups; and a 1.5-mile run.
Step 5: Meet with the Hiring Panel
Phase 2 testing begins with an interview with the Hiring Panel, and is only begun after the successful completion of all Phase 1 testing. The Hiring Panel consists of three Utah State Troopers, and questions are based on: reasoning; problem solving; leadership; communication skills; interpersonal relation skills; decision making; and communication skills.
Step 6: Complete a Polygraph, Background investigation and a Medical Exam
Only those individuals who are approved by the Hiring Panel can move onto Phase 3, which includes a polygraph examination. You can expect to undergo a polygraph examination between 1 and 4 weeks after completing Phase 2 testing.
Upon successfully completing the polygraph examination you will undergo a background investigation (Phase 4) performed by a member of the Vermont State Police. Once the background examination has been completed you will undergo a medical examination.
Step 7: Meet with the Colonel L’Esperance
The Colonel L’Esperance (Director) interview is the final assessment of whether or not you are suitable for the position of Vermont State Trooper.
Step 8: Complete training through the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council
All candidates for State Trooper jobs in Vermont must complete a course of training through the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council. In particular, all State Troopers must complete the full-time Basic Academy Training Program, which is a 16-week, live-in program. Further, candidates with no previous training must complete 3 additional weeks of post-basic training.
There are two, full-time basic training classes held each year.