Essential Job Functions

• Communicate effectively with others and, if necessary, endure verbal abuse from suspects, arrestees, and others encountered in antagonistic situations.
• Restrain persons, including violent individuals, when necessary to safeguard the person or others.
• Engage in defense of self and others using physical force, including approved weapons and instruments.
• Effectuate an arrest, forcibly as required, using handcuffs and other restraints.
• Load, unload, aim, and fire the Department handgun from a variety of body positions, under conditions of stress, in adverse conditions, with appropriate proficiency.
• Carry a loaded shotgun in a safe manner for an extended period of time.
• Disassemble (break down), clean, inspect, and reassemble weapons.
• Safely handle non-issue weapons.
• Perform crowd control duties at rallies, demonstrations, or riots.
• While under adverse conditions, put on and function while wearing a gas mask.
• Possess sufficient physical resources to stay alert, focused, and functional after extended tours of duty, rotating shifts, and repeated rapid changes from sedentary activity to strenuous physical activity.
• Possess a valid drivers license.
• Operate vehicles at all times of the day (both daylight and darkness) and during various inclement weather conditions.
• Drive safely in congested traffic.
• Be able to steer a police vehicle with one hand while operating the radio, emergency lights, siren, and spotlight.
• Maintain safe operation of the motor vehicle on patrol while observing parked and approaching vehicles, pedestrians, and the exteriors of commercial buildings.
• Maintain police vehicle, i.e., check oil, fill with gas, clean, change flat tire, to ensure emergency response availability.
• Safely back a troop car as necessary.
• Transport arrested persons as necessary.
• From a sedentary status, quickly enter/exit your vehicle.
• Engage in running foot pursuit to capture fleeing suspects.
• Perform duties, including strenuous physical activity, during all climates. (Rain, snow, freezing temperatures, etc.)
• Walk/run long distances over rough, uneven and irregular terrain, while carrying a shotgun, rescue equipment, etc.
• Scale a fence or wall as necessary.
• Lift, carry, or drag heavy objects, such as an unconscious person.
• Work or stand for extended periods of time, without relief, with irregular and uncertain meal breaks, without food or liquid for long periods of time, and without sleep.
• Operate standard items of office equipment including computers, copiers, fax-machines, etc.
• Operate various pieces of police related equipment.
• Operate snowmobiles, boats and/or other non-traditional police vehicles.
• Pass Department physical fitness standards, and maintain a level of physical fitness as outlined in Department Rules & Regulations.
• Members hired after July 1, 1986 must pass a semi-annual physical fitness test.
• Hear, comprehend, and react to radio transmissions. Communicate on the radio effectively and coherently.
• Obtain and broadcast accurate descriptions of suspects and/or vehicles.
• Identify, isolate, interview, and obtain statements of relevant persons.
• Read and comprehend legal and other documents, including the preparation, processing, and issuing of such documents as tickets, affidavits, citations, written statements, and warrants.
• Complete necessary processing tasks, including fingerprinting, photographs, and various reports.
• Communicate with the public via telephone and in person to address their needs and requests.
• Gather information from a variety of sources and prepare various reports in a timely fashion using appropriate grammar, symbols and punctuation.
• Testify in court proceedings in a concise and understandable manner.
• Locate, isolate, and preserve crime scenes.
• Locate trace evidence at crime scenes through the use of unaided sight.
• Collect and safeguard evidence.
• Identify license plate numbers, inspection and registration sticker information, street signs and house numbers while driving.
• Identify the colors of license plates, inspection and registration stickers, motor vehicles, structures and clothing.
• Use the sense of smell to detect the presence of smoke or fire, or other materials such as illegal drugs or alcohol.
• Direct traffic and investigate accidents for long periods of time under heavy traffic conditions and during inclement weather.
• Remove hazards from roadway or at accident scene, i.e., dead animals, debris.
• Coordinate enforcement activity with other federal, state, county and municipal police agencies on an as-needed basis.
• Operate and maintain audio surveillance devices including being able to monitor conversations with much background noise.
• Conduct searches of people, vehicles, buildings, things, and outdoor areas, which may involve the sense of touch to objects.
• Exercise independent judgment within legal guidelines to determine compliance with applicable motor vehicle and criminal laws/statutes.
• Under the stress of emergency situations, dispatch patrols and other emergency personnel while simultaneously handling the public.
• Assume shift responsibility for station operations, including maintenance, utility function, and security of the station.
• Extinguish small fires by using a fire extinguisher or other appropriate means.
• Provide first aid as needed, including CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.
• Put on and wear division issued uniform and all associated equipment when needed, including a dress blouse and Sam Browne belt.
• Possess sufficient physical, mental, and emotional resources to complete 26 weeks of physical and academic training away from home while attending the Vermont State Police Recruit Orientation (Pre-Basic), Vermont Police Academy and addittional Post Basic academy training.