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Vermont Fire Academy

Death Investigation School

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the nature of the subject material the class contains graphic content.  This course is limited to sworn law enforcement officers ONLY who have been designated by their agency to conduct death investigations. Full-time/Level-III certification and at least 3 years of experience are required.

  “Few things in our democracy are as important as ensuring that citizens have confidence in their institutions in a crisis.  For many individuals the death of a loved one is just such a crisis.  Ensuring that the proper steps and procedures are taken at the scene of that death to reassure family members that the death was a natural one, a suicide, or a homicide is a key element in maintaining citizen confidence in local officials.”                                                                                  

- Jeanne M. Adkins                                                                      

Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator                                                                      

U.S. Department of Justice.

This 40-hour course is designed to provide basic information for officers who are new to, or who want to learn more about, death investigation.

Topics in this course of instruction include:

  • The manner, mechanism and cause of deaths
  • A review of various types of deaths
  • Autopsy and role of, and interfacing, with the Medical Examiner’s Office
  • Bloodstain Evidence
  • Fire related deaths and hazmat concerns
  • Missing person’s investigations
  • Child and infant Deaths
  • Major crime investigation and evidence
  • Computer forensic analysis and death investigations
  • Case reviews
  • And much more.

Instructors for this course included members of the Office of the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner as well as Vermont State Detectives, members of the Vermont State Police Crime Scene Search Team and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Wardens.

Council Meeting

Our Mission

The mission of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council is to establish rules, policies, regulations and standards for certification and training of criminal justice personnel and to serve as a resource to municipalities, counties, and the state to improve the quality of citizen protection. We will accomplish our mission by developing a comprehensive program to provide high quality criminal justice training in a cooperative, efficient and effective manner through proper utilization of modern technology and coordination of our facility. We provide an aggressive in-service training calendar designed to meet this goal.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for the Council is derived from 20 V.S.A., Chapter 151, as amended.

Council Composition

The Council consists of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Commissioner of Corrections, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife, the Attorney General, a member of the Vermont Trooper's Association, elected by that association, and a member of the Vermont Police Association, elected by that association. Five (5) members to represent law enforcement and the public are appointed by the Governor solicited from the Vermont State's Attorneys', Sheriffs', and Police Chiefs' Associations whose terms shall be for three (3) years.

2018 Council Meeting Dates

All meetings will be held at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford Vermont at 9:00AM unless otherwise noted.

  • March 13 
  • June 12
  • September 11
  • December 11

Council Meeting

Our Mission

The mission of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council is to establish rules, policies, regulations and standards for certification and training of criminal justice personnel and to serve as a resource to municipalities, counties, and the state to improve the quality of citizen protection. We will accomplish our mission by developing a comprehensive program to provide high quality criminal justice training in a cooperative, efficient and effective manner through proper utilization of modern technology and coordination of our facility. We provide an aggressive in-service training calendar designed to meet this goal.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for the Council is derived from 20 V.S.A., Chapter 151, as amended.

Council Composition

The Council consists of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Commissioner of Corrections, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife, the Attorney General, a member of the Vermont Trooper's Association, elected by that association, and a member of the Vermont Police Association, elected by that association. Five (5) members to represent law enforcement and the public are appointed by the Governor solicited from the Vermont State's Attorneys', Sheriffs', and Police Chiefs' Associations whose terms shall be for three (3) years.

2018 Council Meeting Dates

All meetings will be held at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford Vermont at 9:00AM unless otherwise noted.

  • March 13 
  • June 12
  • September 11
  • December 11

Council Meeting

Our Mission

The mission of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council is to establish rules, policies, regulations and standards for certification and training of criminal justice personnel and to serve as a resource to municipalities, counties, and the state to improve the quality of citizen protection. We will accomplish our mission by developing a comprehensive program to provide high quality criminal justice training in a cooperative, efficient and effective manner through proper utilization of modern technology and coordination of our facility. We provide an aggressive in-service training calendar designed to meet this goal.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for the Council is derived from 20 V.S.A., Chapter 151, as amended.

Council Composition

The Council consists of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Commissioner of Corrections, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife, the Attorney General, a member of the Vermont Trooper's Association, elected by that association, and a member of the Vermont Police Association, elected by that association. Five (5) members to represent law enforcement and the public are appointed by the Governor solicited from the Vermont State's Attorneys', Sheriffs', and Police Chiefs' Associations whose terms shall be for three (3) years.

2018 Council Meeting Dates

All meetings will be held at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford Vermont at 9:00AM unless otherwise noted.

  • March 13 
  • June 12
  • September 11
  • December 11

Council Meeting

Our Mission

The mission of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council is to establish rules, policies, regulations and standards for certification and training of criminal justice personnel and to serve as a resource to municipalities, counties, and the state to improve the quality of citizen protection. We will accomplish our mission by developing a comprehensive program to provide high quality criminal justice training in a cooperative, efficient and effective manner through proper utilization of modern technology and coordination of our facility. We provide an aggressive in-service training calendar designed to meet this goal.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for the Council is derived from 20 V.S.A., Chapter 151, as amended.

Council Composition

The Council consists of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Commissioner of Corrections, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife, the Attorney General, a member of the Vermont Trooper's Association, elected by that association, and a member of the Vermont Police Association, elected by that association. Five (5) members to represent law enforcement and the public are appointed by the Governor solicited from the Vermont State's Attorneys', Sheriffs', and Police Chiefs' Associations whose terms shall be for three (3) years.

2018 Council Meeting Dates

All meetings will be held at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford Vermont at 9:00AM unless otherwise noted.

  • March 13 
  • June 12
  • September 11
  • December 11

Council Meeting

Our Mission

The mission of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council is to establish rules, policies, regulations and standards for certification and training of criminal justice personnel and to serve as a resource to municipalities, counties, and the state to improve the quality of citizen protection. We will accomplish our mission by developing a comprehensive program to provide high quality criminal justice training in a cooperative, efficient and effective manner through proper utilization of modern technology and coordination of our facility. We provide an aggressive in-service training calendar designed to meet this goal.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for the Council is derived from 20 V.S.A., Chapter 151, as amended.

Council Composition

The Council consists of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Commissioner of Corrections, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife, the Attorney General, a member of the Vermont Trooper's Association, elected by that association, and a member of the Vermont Police Association, elected by that association. Five (5) members to represent law enforcement and the public are appointed by the Governor solicited from the Vermont State's Attorneys', Sheriffs', and Police Chiefs' Associations whose terms shall be for three (3) years.

2017 Council Meeting Dates

All meetings will be held at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford Vermont at 9:00AM unless otherwise noted.

  • March 15 - at Vermont Police Academy, Classroom 2
  • June 15
  • September 12
  • December 12

Council Meeting

Our Mission

The mission of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council is to establish rules, policies, regulations and standards for certification and training of criminal justice personnel and to serve as a resource to municipalities, counties, and the state to improve the quality of citizen protection. We will accomplish our mission by developing a comprehensive program to provide high quality criminal justice training in a cooperative, efficient and effective manner through proper utilization of modern technology and coordination of our facility. We provide an aggressive in-service training calendar designed to meet this goal.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for the Council is derived from 20 V.S.A., Chapter 151, as amended.

Council Composition

The Council consists of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Commissioner of Corrections, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife, the Attorney General, a member of the Vermont Trooper's Association, elected by that association, and a member of the Vermont Police Association, elected by that association. Five (5) members to represent law enforcement and the public are appointed by the Governor solicited from the Vermont State's Attorneys', Sheriffs', and Police Chiefs' Associations whose terms shall be for three (3) years.

2017 Council Meeting Dates

All meetings will be held at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford Vermont at 9:00AM unless otherwise noted.

  • March 15 - at Vermont Police Academy, Classroom 2
  • June 15
  • September 12
  • December 12

Council Meeting

Our Mission

The mission of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council is to establish rules, policies, regulations and standards for certification and training of criminal justice personnel and to serve as a resource to municipalities, counties, and the state to improve the quality of citizen protection. We will accomplish our mission by developing a comprehensive program to provide high quality criminal justice training in a cooperative, efficient and effective manner through proper utilization of modern technology and coordination of our facility. We provide an aggressive in-service training calendar designed to meet this goal.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for the Council is derived from 20 V.S.A., Chapter 151, as amended.

Council Composition

The Council consists of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Commissioner of Corrections, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, the Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife, the Attorney General, a member of the Vermont Trooper's Association, elected by that association, and a member of the Vermont Police Association, elected by that association. Five (5) members to represent law enforcement and the public are appointed by the Governor solicited from the Vermont State's Attorneys', Sheriffs', and Police Chiefs' Associations whose terms shall be for three (3) years.

2017 Council Meeting Dates

All meetings will be held at the Vermont Fire Academy in Pittsford Vermont at 9:00AM unless otherwise noted.

  • March 15 - at Vermont Police Academy, Classroom 2
  • June 15
  • September 12
  • December 12

Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (A.R.I.D.E.)

Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (A.R.I.D.E.)

  • Coordinator: Leslie Bodette
  • Length of course: 16 hours
  • Course hours: 0800 - 1600
  • Dates and Locations:                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
    • February 8 & 9 (Location TBD)
    • April 5 & 6 at Lyndon State College, Harvey Academic Center, Room #111, St. Johnsbury
    • June 13 & 14 at the Vermont Fire Academy (on the same property as the Vermont Police Academy)
    • August 22 & 23 at VSP – Westminster barracks  
    • Oct 3 & 4 at Colchester PD
    • Dec 6 & 7 at the Vermont Police Academy
  • Tuition: 
    • Free for all Vermont Officers
    • Tuition for Out of State Officers:
      • $13.00 regionally (lunch is on your own)                                                                                            
      • $48.50 commuting to the VPA (lunch included)                                                                                  
      • $67.00 overnight @ VPA (breakfast, 2 lunches, and dinner included)

 

Course Description

This course is designed to assist officers in becoming more proficient  detecting and  apprehending,  impaired drivers. Upon completion of this training,  officers will be  capable of detecting impairment caused by substances other than alcohol.  All candidates must currently be actively involved in impaired driving enforcement.

Officers MUST be highly skilled in the administration and interpretation of  SFSTs.  Your proficiency will be tested by certified SFST Instructors.  SFSTs are strongly emphasized and you can expect to increase your skill level in using these tests after taking this course. 

This training is an essential tool for officers dedicated to saving lives by removing impaired drivers from our roads. In addition, knowledge and skills obtained during  A.R.I.D.E.  will facilitate better communication and transfer of critical roadside indicators of impairment to the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) who may be called for a more complete and accurate assessment of impairment. For those considering the pursuit of DRE training, A.R.I.D.E. will serve as a career path step towards achieving that goal

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