The mission of the Vermont Police Canine Program is to develop Police Canine teams that are useful and effective tools for their respective Police agencies. The program provides basic, in-service, and advanced level courses which are certified by the Vermont Criminal Justice Council (VCJC).
The Program is also available, on a case-by-case basis, to assist the VT Department of Public Safety (DPS) as a resource for training and certification of SAR K9 teams and other specialties as needed.
All training provided is based upon practical, realistic, field-related circumstances. Performance is monitored through formal training sessions and field observation sessions to ensure that remedial training is available when needed.
The expertise of the instructional staff is available to all law enforcement agencies interested in developing or improving a canine program.
The canine certification standards will define the initial training, records keeping, in-service training and yearly recertification as they relate to field certification tests and written exams for K-9 Team certification.
This document represents the minimum requirements needed to meet Vermont Police Canine Program standards. This does not preclude participating agencies from applying more stringent requirements or receiving additional training.
Canine Patrol and Detection School
VCJC Canine Patrol School and a Canine Detection School dates and registration information for 2025. The registration period for Patrol School is from February 20th to March 10th. We ask that all applications be submitted as soon as possible for review.
To apply for a space within the Patrol school please fill out the registration form and return it to Jennifer Hier, jennifer.hier@vermont.gov.
Canine School Start Dates:
Patrol School – March 31-July 18 (16 weeks) patrol $2700
Detection School Sept 8-Oct 31 (8 weeks) detection $1160
Patrol School Screening Dates for Canines will occur on the week of March 10-March 14 at the Vermont Police Academy for already acquired dogs. Canine screenings take approximately thirty minutes per canine. These screenings are required for canine team selections. No registration is required to attend these screenings but please notify the Head Trainer Rich Slusser which date you will attend for purposes of planning. The head trainer will also be assisting PDs with acquiring/screening dogs in PA during the week of March 17-21. This is for untrained “green” dogs of working bloodlines which is the preferred but not required method to create quality police K9 teams. For more information, please contact Rich Slusser (rich.slusser73@gmail.com) .
Further details will be provided to accepted canine teams prior to March 31st.
- If you are planning on having a multipurpose canine, Patrol school is a pre-requisite for Detection school
- Canine handler must be a certified law enforcement officer with a minimum of (3) three years of law enforcement experience before entering the canine program. Prior experience as a military working dog Handler may be taken into consideration.
- Handlers are required to meet a minimum physical fitness assessment to be determined by the Head Trainer.
- It is highly recommended that police administrators use the Canine Committee to conduct interviews for departments who have the desire to identify potential handlers for the requirement.
- By application and acceptance into the Vermont Police Canine Program, it is understood that Handlers will conduct themselves by the Standard of Conduct as defined by Police Professionals who undergo Basic Training at the Vermont Police Academy.
Contact the Vermont Police Academy for more information at 802.483.6228
Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis unless otherwise noted.
We require a minimum number of registrants to hold a course. If the minimum number is not reached within 15 days before the course is scheduled to begin, we will be forced to cancel. Whenever practical, we will attempt to inform you of cancellations by telephone (typically through your employing agency) or by email.
Please Note: If you cannot attend a class, you must notify the Academy 48 hours prior to the start of the class. We must charge the course fee listed if 48 hours notice is not given. Substitutes may be sent to replace the original registrant as long as the substitute also meets any course pre-requisites.
- All courses are held at the VT Police Academy, Pittsford, VT unless otherwise noted. View Directions.
- View the Fee Schedule (effective January 1, 2023).
Please Note: Errata and misprints in pricing, dates, and locations are not binding. The Council reserves the right to correct, change, and cancel courses without penalty. Training Talk is a publication of the staff of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council (State of Vermont) which reserves all rights and privileges with regards to printing, publication, and distribution.
VCJC K9 Program Physical Fitness Assessment
Handler or Handler candidate will be required to wear uniform/tactical pants (individual preference), boots; and duty belt with body armor or carry a 25-30 pound backpack supplied by the handler.
The exercise shall consist of an approximate 1.5 mile course around the Academy property. The pace should be brisk, taking safety into consideration, but running is not permitted. The course will include maneuvering around downed trees, a water crossing, a hill, and other agility like obstacles.
The course will be completed by the handler with his/her dog. Teams will be spaced to minimize occasions where a team will pass another team. The course will be marked.
The exercise is not timed, but all obstacles shall be completed. Dropping the dog is not permitted.
Handlers may bring whatever gear they feel is appropriate and may include water or other items in their tracking pack.
