Vermont Police Academy Requirements

Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. The Vermont police academy requirements are intended to set a high standard for potential officers. Below are all the requirements and disqualifying factors. Be aware that there is a lot of competition for police jobs so going above the minimum requirements is advised. Vermont police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

Age Requirement

Vermont police academy age requirements state that applicants must be a minimum 21 years of age. Applicants may complete an application and proceed in the hiring process at 20.5 years of age if they will be 21 by the starting date of the next academy class.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants must be a resident of Vermont and possess a valid Utah driver’s license upon appointment as a State Police Cadet.

Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application.

Educational Requirement

Vermont Police Academy requirements for education state that the applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application. Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted.

*All military veterans must have an HONORABLE DISCHARGE documented by a DD-214.

Automatic Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that the Vermont State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed below.  In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:

• Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information during the completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, the Polygraph Examination, the Formal Application for Employment, and any other documents/processes associated with the Cadet Selection Procedures.
• Substance abuse/use within a prescribed time frame and/or that is beyond what is considered experimental by the Vermont State Police.
• Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Vermont State Police.

The core purpose of the Vermont State Police is to seek justice, preserve peace, and improve the quality of life for all.  As such, the Department has established the core values of Honor, Service, Integrity, Respect, Trust, Courage, and Duty, and is seeking applicants who possess these traits and conduct themselves accordingly.  Certain issues within a person’s background have been identified which will result in automatic disqualification, including but not limited to:  criminal conduct (actual arrest and/or admission of behavior whether or not arrested) and substance abuse.

A preliminary determination will be made by the Vermont State Police based upon information supplied; therefore, applicants must be forthright and honest in documenting their conduct.  Be advised that this preliminary determination is not binding as it is made based upon information provided by the applicant only.  Should an applicant continue in the selection process, the conduct will then be discussed and documented with a Vermont State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Vermont State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of any official document (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.

Physical Abilities Test

There are (4) Elements of the assessment. Although these elements may not be directly representative of essential job functions to be performed by an entry-level police officer, such elements do measure the candidate’s physiological capacity to learn and perform the essential job functions. The minimum scores for entry into the Academy as set forth below represent the fortieth (40th) percentile of fitness for each of the elements of the assessment (meaning they are as fit as at least the lower 40th percentile of the population of that gender and age). If a candidate does not successfully pass all initial elements and score to the 40th percentile of fitness in the 1.5 mile run, then the candidate shall not be deemed to have successfully completed the physical fitness assessment. Nothing shall preclude the administrator of substituting an element of the test battery, which the administrator has determined and validated to accurately assess the candidate’s physiological capacity to learn and perform essential job functions. The 1.5-mile run shall only be administered to candidates who have successfully completed the required initial elements of the test battery.

1.5 mile run

• Cardiovascular capacity and aerobic power, it requires nearly exhaustive effort.
• It takes place on an outdoor track and is measured with a stopwatch.
• DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR THE WEATHER

One repetition maximum bench press

• Absolute strength test involves forcing a muscle group to exert a maximum force, using Dynamic Variable Resistance (DVR) protocol.
• The score indicated is a ratio of weight pressed divided by body weight.
• Equipment to be utilized will be a universal weight machine to record the weight of the repetition.
• Candidate will start off with warm-up repetitions of ½ body weight and increasing the weight in 5 or 10 pound increments until the candidate has successfully reached the 40th percentile.

One minute of bent knee sit-ups

• This event tests muscular endurance of the abdominal area, and hip flexors, which is the ability to contract the muscle repeatedly over a period of time.
• The candidate lies on his/her back, knees bent, heels flat on the floor, hands behind head and with a partner holding the feet down, then does as many sit-ups in correct form as possible in one minute.
• In the “up” position, candidates must touch their elbows to their knees, and both shoulders must touch the surface in the “down” position. The up position is the only rest position allowed.

One minute of push-ups

• This event tests muscular endurance of the upper body (anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, triceps).
• The candidate starting in the “up” position where the hands are placed about shoulder width apart, elbows fully extended, legs and back are kept straight, and knees off the ground at all times, and lower him/her self until their chest is approximately “3” inches from the surface thus completing one repetition.
• Resting position is in the “up,” high plank position.  The body must be straight from head to feet. No arching or piking is allowed.
• No hands or feet shall be moved off the surface while conducting the event. Qualified trainers shall be responsible for the score of correct push-ups.

Physical fitness evaluations will be administered during the basic training program. Fitness evaluations will consist of bench press, push-ups, sit-ups, and 1.5 mile run.

Injured candidates will actively participate in a physical training program designed specifically for them. The nature of the injury may in some circumstances impact the decision made by the training staff as to whether the candidate may continue their involvement in basic training.

All candidates must participate in physical fitness training.

Physical Assessment Minimum Standards: 40th Percentile Requirements (Male)

Physical Assessment Minimum Standards: 40th Percentile Requirements (Female)

Physical Assessment Minimum Standards: 50th Percentile Requirements (Male)

Physical Assessment Minimum Standards: 50th Percentile Requirements (Female)

 
* NOTE:

The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.