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.
Click to see: Training Opportunities from Other Agencies
Entrance Exam Testing dates
Click Here for Dates & Descriptions
2025 Mandatory Fair and Impartial Policing (FIP) Training
This training is designed for all certified members of Vermont Law Enforcement. For this year’s training you will learn specifically about the Model Fair and Impartial Policing Policy and the importance of collecting demographic data in law enforcement.
ARIDE Refresher Course
The ARIDE Refresher course was developed for law enforcement officers who have attended the 16-hour in-person ARIDE course. It is designed to provide the officers with key concepts taught in the full two-day training through an interactive web-based format to refresh their skills.
NHTSA's ARIDE training is a 16-hour, in-person instructor-led course that builds on the skills of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests to enhance a law enforcement officer's ability to detect impaired driving and enforce relevant laws. With the development of the 4-hour ARIDE Refresher eLearning course, officers trained in ARIDE can refresh their skills without having to attend an in-person course; instead, they can access the course when their schedule allows, from anywhere with an internet connection. Featuring highly skilled and well-trained subject matter experts from across the country, this course will allow learners to re-engage with the material from the in-person course while testing their knowledge through realistic scenarios and testing before, during, and after the training.
Officers can sign up for an account to access the training at www.copstrainingportal.org It requires minimal information and gives the officer access to all courses offered through the LMS. All courses are free and can be taken at the officers’ own pace.
Once your account is created navigate to E-Learning Courses, Drug Awareness & Enforcement, and select Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) Refresher.
Upon completion, please provide the certificate of completion and the supporting documentation to Jen Hier (Jennifer.hier@vermont.gov) at the Vermont Police Academy. You will receive 4 credit hours for this training
ARIDE
Date/Time: May 8-9, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30
Location: Essex Police Department - 145 Maple Street Essex, VT 05452
Date/Time: June 23-24, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30
Location: West Dover Fire Department - 253 Vermont Rte 100 West Dover, VT 05356
Date/Time: July 21-22, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30
Location: Vermont Police Academy - 317 Academy Road, Pittsford, VT 05763
DUI Detection/SFST course is a pre-requisite, and you must have at least 1 year of experience on the road conducting DUI investigations.
Please note that additional ARIDE courses will be offered throughout the year based on geographical location of officers who need it. Please check back after February for additional dates/information or reach out to JamieLee Bedard at jamielee.bedard@vermont.gov
Background Investigation for Law Enforcement
Date/Time: July 17-18, 2025 @ Day 1 - 08:00-17:00 & Day 2 - 08:00-12:00
Cost: $445 - For those wanting to have LUNCH and/or STAY OVERNIGHT at the Vermont Police Academy, YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO REGISTER WITH EVENTBRITE.
This course is designed for both background investigators, supervisors, and human resource policymakers.
Law enforcement strives for professionalism; however, abuses by officers cast a negative light on the entire organization. An examination of the past behavior of some involved officers reveals that a pattern of undesirable behavior existed before the appointment as a police official. This behavior was unknown to the hiring agency due to inadequate or non-existent applicant screening. The integrity and ethical reputation of a police department mandate a thorough background investigation of police applicants. This course offers a systematic approach to background investigations which will assist in making informed hiring decisions.
This is a 12 hours course hosted at the Vermont Police Academy.
For additional information or questions, contact TC Adam Murach at adam.murach@vermont.gov
Basic SWAT - NTOA Training
Date/Time: July 14-18, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30
Member Cost: $802.00
Non-Member Cost: $857.00
Individuals who have recently been assigned to SWAT and have not received basic SWAT training will benefit from this comprehensive introduction to tactical skills. Students will be introduced to basic SWAT topics, tactics and techniques including a historical overview of SWAT, team organization and structure, resolution of barricaded suspect situations, covert individual and team movement, searches and room clearing, chemical agents, less-lethal options, warrant service and multiple field training exercises. This is a hands-on, high-intensity course in which students practice tactics and techniques in the field.
Basic Use of Force and Tactics for Level II & Waiver Candidates
Date/Time: June 9-13, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30
This is a physically demanding training course and participants must be injury free and in good physical condition before entering the course.
Tuition is free for all Vermont Law Enforcement Officer candidates who are sponsored by a Vermont Law Enforcement Agency and are pursuing level I or Level II law enforcement certification. This class is designed for Level II officers looking to satisfy thier Use of Force block of instruction. Also this course will be used to satify out of state waivers Use of Force block.
You must be sponsored and employed by a law enforcement agency to attend this course.
Note: Gym attire no shorts, BDU style pants and polo, to include gym shoes, duty belt, and handcuffs and cuff key are required for this course.
This course is designed to provide officers with the basics for self-protection and control and/or restraint of adversaries. This course consists of classroom lecture, gym-work and scenario-based training.
Successful completion of the course will require the student to attend the full blocks of training as well as pass written and proficiency testing for basic MDTS certification.
Written testing requires a minimum score of 80% to pass and proficiency testing requires 100% acceptable score on the Minimal Acceptable Performance Standards set forth by Safariland and the VCJTC.
Effective 1 January, 2014 per Council ruling, all persons seeking certification as law enforcement officers after that date must attend and successfully complete a Council approved training course for MDTS before receiving Level I, II or III law enforcement certification. The four-hour handcuff training provided during the Level I and II basic certification course does not meet this requirement, and only gives them the authority to carry and use handcuffs under the guidelines set forth in the provisional certification for Levels I or II. Officers must also attend and successfully complete a Council approved baton and/or Oleoresin Capsicum aerosol projector course before having the authority to carry and use a baton and/or OC. This course meets the minimum requirements under this new rule.
OVERNIGHT: Limited to 10 people. The fee includes bed, breakfast, and dinner.
Crash Investigation for Level II & Waiver Officers
Date/Time: July 24-25, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30
This two-day fundamental training course will provide the new Level II officer (and Waivers) with a familiarization of accident/crash reporting requirements and form completion. A mock scene will be utilized to demonstrate the measurement and diagramming techniques. Additional scene management will emphasize traffic control, preservation of evidence and witness identification.
Crime Scene Investigation Level II/ Waivers
Date/Time: June 23, 2025 @ 08:30-16:30
Physical evidence is not subjective. It does not lie, forget, or distort.
Thorough crime scene investigation is vitally important to effective law enforcement. The purpose of this course of instruction is to provide police officers with instruction on the awareness, documentation, preservation, and collection of physical evidence and basic crime scene processing procedures.
The course will cover information outlined in the Physical Evidence Handbook published by the Vermont Forensic Laboratory, as well as other information obtained from training aids and hands-on practical exercises.
By the end of the class, each officer will have to demonstrate that they can perform a number of skills, to include, dust for and lift developed latent prints, swab for biological collection purposes, make a cast of a tool/tool mark impression, and make a tire and/or foot wear impression using dental stone.
NOTE: This is a “hands-on” training. Students should wear appropriate clothing that they do not mind possibly getting dirty. Students will also be going outside and thus should prepare to dress accordingly.
DRE Trainings
Multiple dates and webinars available.
Entrance Exam Testing dates
- May 6, 2025
- May 20, 2025 MMPI Only
- June 24, 2025
- July 15, 2025
- July 29, 2025 MMPI Only
- August 12, 2025
- September 23, 2025
- October 14, 2025
- November 18, 2025
- December 9, 2025
Fingerprinting Certification
Police officers are required by Vermont statute to be re-certified every 3 years in order to take fingerprints from minors as part of a voluntary identification program. To be recertified, an officer must submit to VCIC a set of prints via electronic capture OR the standard ink and roll method. The prints will be examined for quality, and if acceptable, recertification will be granted. If the prints are found to be unacceptable, the officer will have to re-take the Basic Fingerprinting Certification Course. Please note: recertification is NOT required for the purposes of taking prints as part of an investigation, employment-related background checks, etc.
Send a set of fingerprints to VCIC C/O Identification Section Supervisor, 42 State Street, Waterbury, VT 05671-130
VCJC Use of Force Instructor Recertification
Date/Time: June 20, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30
Location: VCJC/VPA
Date/Time: July 29, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30
Location: VCJC/VPA
Date/Time: August 22, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30
Location: South Burlington PD
Successful completion of this course satisfies the biennial recertification requirements for currently certified VCJC Use of Force & Tactics instructors.
Students should be prepared for a physically demanding day of training and should be free of any conditions that would prohibit them from effectively participating and completing the training. Attire must include a full duty belt, inert training OC, baton and gym shoes (duty boots will not be permitted on the mats).
LIVE WEAPONS WILL NOT BE MERMITTED IN THE TRAINING AREA. Please secure all live weapons (incl. firearms, OC, Taser, knives, etc..) in your vehicle or in lock boxes provided by the VPA.