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VCJC In-Service Programs and Certification

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.

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.


Entrance Exam Testing dates

Click Here for Dates & Descriptions


2023/2024 FINAL FTO Re-certification (virtual)

December 19, 2024 @ 12:30-16:00

Microsoft Teams

This will be the final 2023/2024 Re-certification Course. If you have not taken one during the last 2 years your certification will be at risk for expiration, and you will need to attend a re-cert during 2025, ands submit an application for getting it reinstated. If you expiration expires you will not be able to train new officers and have the hours count towards their required minimum for certification-this primarily applies to those training Level 2 officers.


2025 Field Training Officer Certification School

January 21-25, 2024 @ 08:00-16:00

Cost: $63 for Commuters $235 for Overnight stay

This is the 2025 certification school for new FTO's. Anyone wishing to attend must be a VT Law Enforcement officer in good standing with a minimum of 2 years road experience.

This course will provide the attendee's with a certification to train new law enforcement officers. This certification is required for the training of Level 2 officers.

Options for staying overnight are available at a cost, however we are limited to a certain number of beds.

Lunch will be provided daily, overnights will have access to Breakfast and dinner as well.

Any questions please contact TC Pennington daniel.pennington@vermont.gov prior to the scheduled dates.


2024 Mandatory Domestic Violence Training

For Supervisors & Agency Heads:

November 22, 2024 @ 12:30-16:30
December 3, 2024 @ 09:00-13:00

For Patrol:

November 8, 2024 @ 13:30-16:00
November 10, 2024 @ 17:00-20:00
November 17, 2024 @ 17:00-20:00
November 20, 2024 @ 13:00-16:00
November 21, 2024 @ 09:00-12:00
December 5, 2024 @ 09:00-12:00 & 13:00-16:00
December 6, 2024 @ 09:00-12:00 & 13:00-16:00


Animal Cruelty Investigation for Law Enforcement Officers

October 17, 2024 @ 12:30-16:30

This class satisfies the required statutory minimum animal cruelty investigation training for Level II, Level III and Waiver officers.


ARIDE Refresher Course

Click Here for Registration and More Information

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

Time: February 6-7, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30

Location: Vermont Police Academy - 317 Academy Rd. Pittsford, VT 05763

Time: March 13-14, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30

Location: Essex Police Department - 145 Maple Street Essex, VT 05452

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


Canine Drug Detection School

Date and time: November 4, 2024 – December 20, 2024

Tuition Commuter: $2,189

Tuition Overnight: $3,081

Prerequisites:

  • If you are planning on having a multipurpose canine Patrol school is a pre-requisite.
  • 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.
  • Canine evaluations will occur prior to acceptance into the program. Canine evaluations will take place weekdays at the Vermont Police Academy. Registration is not required but please notify Lindsay Thivierge (lindsay.thivierge@vermont.gov) in advance regarding which date you plan on coming to the Academy to make sure the head trainer is available.
  • If you intend on attending the Canine Drug Detection School and do not yet have a canine the head trainer is available to assist in acquiring and screening dogs. Please contact Lindsay Thivierge (Lindsay.thivierge@vermont.gov) for coordination.
  • 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


CTO: Communications Training Officer Refresher

Course is now held remotely, contact Michelle Hunt for registration


DRE Training School

Phases I & II March 24 - April 4, 2025. Phase III April 21 - 26, 2025.

Application deadline is January 15, 2025.

Click Here for the Application

For more information about the DECP visit www.DECP.org, or visit https://shso.vermont.gov/programs/dre


DRE Trainings

Multiple dates and webinars available.


DUI Detection/SFST Course and DMT Certification

April 14-18, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30

This 40-hour course provides police officers with the knowledge and skills to identify alcohol-impaired drivers, conduct SFSTs, and operate the DMT Infrared Breath Testing Device used to collect evidentiary breath samples for DUI cases. The course, delivered by VCJC-certified instructors, instructors from the Vermont Forensic Laboratory Toxicology Section, and the State's Attorney's Office, provides Infrared Breath Testing Device Certification.

The following topics are also discussed:

  • DUI Law and Case Law
  • Physiological and Psychological Effects of Alcohol
  • DUI Detection and Apprehension Techniques
  • Standardized Field Sobriety Exercises
  • DUI Processing Forms
  • Courtroom Testimony at the DUI Trial
  • Introduction to Drugged Driving

* Homework Required.


Entrance Exam Testing dates

  • December 17, 2024
  • January 7, 2025
  • January 28, 2025 MMPI Only
  • February 11, 2025
  • March 25, 2025
  • April 15, 2025
  • 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


Fingerprint Certification for In-Service and Level II

March 27, 2025 @ 08:00-12:00

This course is for Fingerprint certification, and is open to all VT law enforcement officers and civilians employed by a VT law enforcement Agency.

Instructor: Nicholas Briggs, VT DPS

This is a 4 hour block of instruction held at the Police Academy

Lunch is NOT provided


Interacting with People Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis

April 2, 2025 @ 08:00-16:30

This is the mental health crisis response course that is required for all level 2 and level 3 waiver students to take. This course includes presentations by individuals with lived experience related to topics of the instruction. Classroom 1 of the VPA.

This is an 8 hour course at the Vermont Police Academy instructed by the following:

  • Mourning Fox - Department of Public Safety
  • Kristin Chandler - Norwich University and Team Two Vermont
  • Mark Gutel - Addison County Sheriff's Office
  • Brock Marvin - Vermont Police Academy


Use of Force Instructor Recertification

December 12th, 2024 @ 8:00-16:30

Succuessful completion of this course satisfies the bennial 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.


Vermont-Specific CEW Training

January 6, 2025 @ 08:00-16:00

This is the VT-specific portion of CEW/Taser training that is mandatory for all officers who will be carrying a CEW in the field.

NOTE: This portion of training does NOT include the model-specific certification and all attendees will be required to show proof of model-specific certification prior to being permitted to attend the VT-specific portion. Please bring a copy of a current CEW mode-specific certification on the day of training.

Prerequisites:

-Current Level II (incl. provisional) or Level III VTLEO certification.

-Model-specific ("manufacturer's course") certification.

Equipment: Attendees will not need live CEW's or cartridges for this version of the training. A large portion of the day will be spent in scenario-based training, so duty/tactical clothing & footwear is suggested. NO LIVE WEAPONS OR AMMUNITION IN THE TRAINING SPACE - please secure all weapons (firearms, OC, CEW's, Batons, knives etc...) either in a vehicle or in provided lock-boxes.


VIN Verification for in-service and Level II

March 27, 2025 @ 12:30-16:30

This course is offered for both sworn VT LEO and civilian employees employed by a VT law enforcement agency. This course will certify personnel to conduct VIN Verification's. Classroom 1 - Vermont Police Academy.

This a 4 hour block of instruction held at the Vermont Police Academy.

Lunch is NOT provided