- 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-issued 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 driver's 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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
Department of Public Safety
Vermont State Police