Vermont State Police

Vermont State Police
Agencyname	Vermont State Police
Formed	1947
Preceding1	Vermont Motor Vehicle Department
Employees	~330 sworn; ~100 civilian
Country	United States
Divtype	State
Divname	Vermont
Headquarters	45 State Drive, Waterbury, Vermont
Chief1name	Colonel Matthew T. Birmingham
Chief1position	Director
Parentagency	Vermont Department of Public Safety
Website	vsp.vermont.gov

Vermont State Police. The Vermont State Police is the primary statewide law enforcement agency in the U.S. state of Vermont. Established in 1947, it operates under the Vermont Department of Public Safety and provides full police services to towns without local departments. The agency is headquartered at the Waterbury State Complex and is led by a colonel appointed by the Governor of Vermont.

History

The agency was formally created by an act of the Vermont General Assembly in 1947, consolidating the law enforcement functions of the Vermont Motor Vehicle Department and other state entities. Its formation was influenced by post-World War II trends in professionalizing law enforcement across the United States. Early responsibilities focused on traffic enforcement on the state's growing highway network and assisting rural sheriff's departments. Significant evolution occurred in the latter 20th century, with the creation of specialized units like the Criminal Division and the Victim Services unit. The agency's headquarters moved to its current location in Waterbury following severe damage from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, which flooded its previous offices.

Organization

The agency is commanded by a colonel, currently Colonel Matthew T. Birmingham, who serves as its director. It is divided into three primary field troops—A, B, and C—each covering distinct geographical districts across Vermont, with troop headquarters in Westminster, Middlesex, and Derby respectively. Specialized divisions include the Criminal Division, which houses the Major Crime Unit and Computer Crime Unit; the Traffic Safety Division; and the Support Services Division. The Vermont Department of Public Safety also includes the Vermont Forensic Laboratory, which provides critical analysis for criminal investigations across New England.

Duties and responsibilities

Primary duties include patrolling state highways and interstate routes like Interstate 89 and Interstate 91, enforcing traffic laws, and investigating serious motor vehicle crashes. The agency has full jurisdiction to investigate major crimes such as homicide, sexual assault, and arson, often at the request of local police or sheriff's offices. Troopers provide basic police services to numerous towns that lack a local department through contracted "town coverage" agreements. Additional responsibilities encompass search and rescue operations, executive protection for the Governor of Vermont, and security for the Vermont State House in Montpelier.

Training and recruitment

Recruits must be U.S. citizens, at least 21 years old, possess a valid driver's license, and hold a high school diploma or GED. The rigorous selection process includes a written exam, physical fitness test, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation, and extensive background investigation. Accepted recruits attend a 26-week live-in training program at the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford, which includes instruction in criminal law, defensive tactics, firearms proficiency, and emergency vehicle operation. Following graduation, new troopers undergo an extended field training program with a senior officer before solo patrol.

Equipment and vehicles

The standard sidearm for troopers is the Glock pistol, typically in 9mm or .45 caliber. Patrol vehicles are predominantly Ford Police Interceptor Utility SUVs, marked in the agency's distinctive green and gold livery. Cruisers are equipped with mobile data computers, AXON body-worn cameras, and patrol rifle systems. Specialized units utilize a variety of equipment, including all-terrain vehicles for search and rescue, sonar for the Underwater Recovery Team, and armored vehicles like the BearCat maintained by the Tactical Services Unit.

Notable incidents

In 2000, troopers were involved in the protracted manhunt for Andrew W. Womack, who shot two officers in Thetford; the incident led to significant changes in officer safety protocols. The agency led the investigation into the 2018 disappearance of Patricia "Patti" L. Adkins, a cold case that garnered national media attention. Troopers provided critical response and security during the 2023 Vermont floods, conducting numerous water rescues and evacuations. The Criminal Division also investigated the 2022 homicide of Mark D. Brito in Castleton, a case that involved coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Category:State law enforcement agencies of Vermont Category:1947 establishments in Vermont