Police Officer

BPD is offering a $15,000 recruitment bonus. Apply Today! 

The Burlington Police Department takes pride in hiring people with the most fundamental quality of a Police Officer- Integrity.  Honesty and completeness are of the utmost importance in helping you succeed in this hiring process.  It should be noted that any integrity violation during our process may result in immediate disqualification. We are not looking for perfect people; we are looking for great police officers.

Union: Burlington Police Officers Association.   

The Burlington Police Department is offering a $15,000 recruitment bonus for ten new recruits and/or lateral transfers. The schedule of those disbursements would begin one week after an eligible recruit officer’s or lateral officer’s successful completion of field training, with the second payment coming ten months later and the third payment coming one year after that. The Burlington Police Department is looking for Police Officers ready to move to Vermont's largest and most rewarding municipal police department. With an excellent schedule, good pay and benefits, and a quality of life that is second to none, this opportunity represents a chance to honorably serve in one of America's most important professions in a city and work environment that is great for all walks of life.

Burlington is a unique American city with an incomparable physical setting and a very high quality of life. With approximately 45,000 residents, the city is seated in a metro area of just over 200,000, making it the largest urban center north of the coastal states in New England. On the banks of Lake Champlain and minutes from Vermont's Green Mountains, Burlington Police Officers and residents have access to many of the best outdoor amenities in the United States.  The city is home to the University of Vermont and Champlain College, and has a thriving downtown scene with abundant shopping, restaurants, nightlife and cultural attractions. Officers may live in the city or in the surrounding area, free to tailor their living arrangements to their preferred lifestyle and family/personal needs.

In addition to our exemplary patrol division we offer specialized positions including canine, plainclothes, narcotics (to include DEA task force assignments'), detectives, special investigations, street crimes, and domestic violence. Officers also have the opportunity to work on an emergency response vehicle, as a crisis negotiator,  hostage negotiator, and motorcycle unit. Officer wellness initiatives include on-call physicians, multiple physical fitness facility incentives, in-house mental health and physical therapy professionals, peer support, and the most up-to-date protective equipment.

Check out our website at www.bpdcareers.com
Talk to our recruiter, Corporal Carolynne Erwin, at (802) 540-2358 or email her at cerwin@bpdvt.org.

• Familiarization with all departmental rules and regulations as they pertain to the position of Police Officer.  Attend classes, participate in department training exercises, and study department materials to acquire and advance job knowledge and skills. 
• Conduct criminal, motor vehicle and other investigations by securing areas, gathering and preserving evidence, interviewing complainants, victims, witnesses and others involved, taking field notes, collecting photographs, finger prints, affidavits, etc.  Prepare affidavits, reports and court cases and present testimony in court for the above. Patrol specific districts on foot, bicycle or in a police vehicle.  Assist in investigating suspicious activities and persons; make arrests for violations of federal and state laws and city ordinances.  Respond to emergencies such as motor vehicle accidents, crimes in progress, etc.  Respond to complaints; investigate and attempt to mediate conflicts.
• Investigate traffic accidents, aid injured persons, determine if any criminal offenses have been committed and write appropriate reports.  Direct traffic at accidents, fires, public assemblages and at busy intersections as necessary.  Patrol parking areas and city streets, issue tickets and summonses for parking and traffic violations. Investigate crimes against persons and property.
• When assigned to uniform duty, maintain uniforms, equipment and weapons in accordance with department directives.
• Serve subpoenas, arrest warrants, citations and deliver emergency messages.  Provide prisoner transport.  Deliver court paperwork. Maintain positive public relations while enforcing the law, providing information or otherwise assisting the public. Document all actions in writing as per department and state regulations.

• Ability to actively support City’s diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required, reasonable accommodations will be considered.
• Must be 20 years of age to apply and must by at least 21 years of age by the time of hire.
• Must have no less than 20/20 corrected vision in each eye.
• Must be drug free for a minimum of three years.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required. Associates Degree or higher, Honorable Military Service or equivalent Law Enforcement work history preferred.
• Must have no felony or serious misdemeanor convictions, nor any habitual or serious traffic offenses, Domestic violence or assault Convictions.  Other violations, which may adversely affect a law enforcement career, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Vermont State driver's license.
• Must obtain and maintain Basic First Aid Certification.
• Must successfully complete written aptitude, physical fitness, and psychological exam.
• Upon conditional offer of employment candidate must successfully complete a Personal History Information packet, a polygraph examination, a panel interview, a  background investigation, command review and medical/drug screening test.
• Must be able to meet fiftieth percentile physical fitness graduation standards required by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council.
• Must successfully gain full-time certification through the Vermont Police Academy (VPA).
• Must successfully complete all department required trainings and certifications.
• All successful officers will be self-motivated and display honesty, integrity, common sense, emotional stability and a tolerance to stress while maintaining a positive attitude consistent with the Law Enforcement code of Ethics and the Mission, Vision and Values of the Burlington Police Department.
• Regular attendance is necessary and is essential to meeting the expectations of the job functions.
• Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules and personnel policies.

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity
The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.
In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.
Applications for our employment opportunities are only accepted online through our Government Jobs website.
For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-3057 or careers@burlingtonvt.gov.