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Main Page VSP Questions
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Posted by: tazoez

I was surfing each state's State Police website and I noticed a couple of things on the Vermont State Police website.
Did they add incentives for getting new recruits? I haven't seen these before and was wondering.

Also since I am considering Vermont, as well as other states since I need to get my foot in the door somehow, how is Vermont's cost of living. I noticed that in comparison to other state's in the northeast that Vermont's pay is about $10,000 less a year.

Details available? How is the Overtime availability?

Any insight would be great.

Thank You

Posted by: tazoez

The base salary for a newly hired trooper is $34,691.15, which progresses through seniority steps to a top base salary of $67,356.90. A newly hired trooper who has completed a full time police academy and has worked two uninterrupted years as a full time police officer will start at a base salary of $39,594.10, which progresses through seniority steps to a top base salary of $67,356.90.
A trooper normally receives a yearly cost of living increase in addition to the above.
Troopers also receive compensation for shift work, overtime work, on call pay, call-ins for court, call-outs after hours and holidays worked. The overtime rate is 1.5 times the trooper's hourly rate.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Paid holidays, sick leave, vacation time and personal leave.
Newly hired Troopers who have served in the armed forces and received a full honorable discharge may be entitled up to $1,034.00 per month for training under the Montgomery GI Bill.
Excellent retirement plan based on 50% of the trooper's averaged top two years gross salary. Cost of living increase included yearly. Medical plan optional. Must be age 50 and have contributed 20 years into the system to collect full retirement benefits. Retirement for all members is mandatory at age 55.
Paid medical and dental plans. The trooper contributes 20% and the state covers the remaining 80% of the cost of the medical plan. The State covers the cost of the dental plan.
Beneficiary benefits with optional group life insurance policy.
Optional deferred compensation plan.
Up to $775.00 in physical fitness incentive money per year.
Take home car. Gas and maintenance are paid for by the State.
All uniforms and equipment are provided by the State, to include cleaning and replacement.
Tuition reimbursement plan.
Career advancement and specialization through promotion, special teams and various other assignments.
Straight time pay for 32.5 hours every first full pay period in August for work related duties done at home, i.e., polishing brass, uniform preparation, etc.

http://www.dps.state.vt.us/vtsp/index_main.html
http://www.dps.state.vt.us/vtsp/recruiting.htm

Posted by: NHTrooper

Check out NH, starting is 40k with plenty of opportunity to make 80K with a take home cruiser, no income or sales tax. next testing is in November. Get your application in and if you are what we are looking for, you will be in uniform next summer for laconia and all the fun motorcycle week includes!

Good luck.

Posted by: j809

But how many years to top step?

Posted by: tazoez

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHTrooper

Check out NH, starting is 40k with plenty of opportunity to make 80K with a take home cruiser, no income or sales tax. next testing is in November. Get your application in and if you are what we are looking for, you will be in uniform next summer for laconia and all the fun motorcycle week includes!

Good luck.

I wish I could get my application in at this juncture -- I have to wait about 6 months. Having some hardware removed at the end of the month and then I have to get back into shape running wise. I know that NH offers every other month for exams, but how often do they put a class into the academy?

Posted by: VSP Troop

I don't know too much about NHSP so I can't really compare the two. It just depends where you want to live or where you get hired. Its no secret that our starting pay is low compared to other New England States, but its really not that bad in comparison to some southern and midwestern states. The pay gets better with time and i'm not doing too bad for myself money wise. Despite some of my posts where I've voiced my frustration about some certain areas of the department, overall, its a great department and an awesome job.

Since we cover most towns in our areas, you play the role of a local cop since we take many calls within the towns as well as interstate work. Equipment is good... we just got brand new guns (Sig DAK's) with the rail lights, new body armour, and we all are issued tac vests that stop rifle rounds. We DO have take home cars, you just may not be issued your own right away and just will have to borrow someone else's.

There is a lot of freedom with the job and you can be as busy as you want to be. Most barracks have town contracts which pay the OT rate and there are special details available. You can always make your own OT with criminal investigation, DUI's, ect. VSP is full of a lot of great Trooper's and great people. Up to this point, I have found it to be a very satisfying job and am happy in general. The most difficult part has been making the transition from growing up in the Boston area to living in a rural state. It has its ups and downs but it is definitley a bonus not having to fight with traffic constantly! Also, I really couldn't think of a better place to raise a family than in certain area's of VT.

Tazoez, i sent you a PM answering specific questions. You can always call the recruitment office as they would also be more than happy to answer any questions you have. I believe they plan on putting through a fairly good size class of recruits in January, than another class in July. Good luck!

Posted by: DC10

VSP-Thanks for the good info, I have a quick Q I thought Id ask an insider: The PT test lists different pts based on how well one does on each individual event--worse case scenario, lets say one gets the bare bones score on each event-below the 50% percentile and you get 0 pts, do you still pass the test but just w/ no extra pts?

The example said for passing (avg) you get 0 pts, It almost looks like if one "passes" with the lowest scores, they still pass the test they just dont get any additional pts going into the oral.

Thanks,
DC

Posted by: VSP Troop

That is correct. You need to score at least the 50th percentile, (3-Average) according to the website to pass. Not to sure about the points but that sounds about right. Scoring average won't earn you extra points but at least you will pass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC10

VSP-Thanks for the good info, I have a quick Q I thought Id ask an insider: The PT test lists different pts based on how well one does on each individual event--worse case scenario, lets say one gets the bare bones score on each event-below the 50% percentile and you get 0 pts, do you still pass the test but just w/ no extra pts?

The example said for passing (avg) you get 0 pts, It almost looks like if one "passes" with the lowest scores, they still pass the test they just dont get any additional pts going into the oral.

Thanks,
DC

Posted by: futureMSP

In comparison to the other NE states we do make less to begin with, the exception is Maine. Our top step is higher than some of the other states. The top step takes 17.5 years to reach and it is spaced out over 15 years. We are trying to change it, but it takes some time. In Vermont we do not do details. If there is construction on the Interstate we may be there but we are doing speed enforcement overtime. The towns do contract to us for police services and we do that on overtime. Some Barracks have significant amounts of overtime and some have none unless you find it yourself.

Our pay over the first three years is:
0-5 months - 34k
6-11 months - 36k
1 year - 39k
2 year - 41k
3 year - 47k

Those aren't exact but are close, I don't have my pay plan copy in front of me right now.

VSP may also raise there starting salary soon to boost recruiting. I believe they are talking of removing a pay grade or two so the starting salary would be around 40k. I am not sure where those talks are going though.

Any questions ask VSPTroop or myself.

Posted by: leinma

If you get on and are older than 35 you obviously can not reach 20 years for full retirement, how does the retirement process work if you only reach 18 years??

Posted by: futureMSP

I will get the information and get back to you, I think I know, but I would like to make sure.

Posted by: Foxy85

I know NH has a lateral program available for out of state certified P.O.'s....does VT?

Posted by: VTCOP

Yes VT does. For VSP you have the pre-basic which was I believe 3 or 4 weeks. Then you have your waiver courses, which depends on what training you've had out of state. basically, the waiver class is two weeks long if your full time academy is accepted. check out www.vcjtc.state.vt.us for waiver process. Lata

Posted by: co2

I plan on taking the april test. Ho many are they putting on this year. How long is the written exam. How long is the process after the test. And any helpfull advice. Thanks

Posted by: VTCOP

Call the recruiter. They offer tests monthly, like 3 I believe, and two academy classes a year (Jan & Aug)

Posted by: futureMSP

co2 - We have several vacancies due to not putting on a class and retirements. We just started a class this Jan with 13-15 recruits. One of the Colonel's goals this year is to address the vacancies by hiring more people.

The written exam is about 100 questions. The hiring process moves relatively quickly right now. From exam to employment offer is less than a year in most cases.

If you have any other questions you can ask them here or PM me.

LeeinMA - If you can only work 18 years your benefit would be 45% of your highest two years of compensation.

Any other questions ask them here or PM me.

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