The 13 elected sheriffs of Vermont work tirelessly to ensure law and order in their respective counties. Their efforts are backed by the Vermont Sheriffs’ Association which provides all sheriff offices in the state with technical, logistical, financial and administrative help. If you are interested in joining any sheriff office here, all the relevant information is provided in this piece.

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Vermont Sheriff Requirements

To reach the sheriff’s office in Vermont, you will have to fulfill the following criteria:

  • Should be at least 18
  • Must obtain a high school diploma (HSD) or an alternative GED (General Educational Development) certificate
  • Must be a holder of US nationality. This includes naturalized Americans and individuals born stateside
  • Should satisfy all conditions pertaining to county residency to take part in sheriff elections

*The outlined criteria is generic and apply to the whole of Vermont. However, since a sheriff is a county-specific position, each county sets its own requirements. Therefore, you must ensure you have the right information regarding eligibility for the county in which you want to become sheriff.

Steps to Become a Vermont Sheriff

The following steps will help you become a sheriff in Vermont

Step 1:

Undergo law enforcement training. Some counties also provide special courses aimed at becoming a sheriff. If your county of choice happens to be one of them, then go for such a training program.

Step 2:

Serve as an officer for a few years once your training is complete. This is needed to fulfill the minimum law enforcement experience requirement put forth by your preferred county. It can be as little as 1 year and go up to 5 years and beyond.

Step 3:

Enroll into a college degree program. This isn’t obligatory but your chances of landing the coveted position of sheriff will improve with better academic qualifications. Voters are more likely to choose you if you are a highly educated individual.

Step 4:

Clear the written test, interview, physical evaluation and all scrutiny about your background.

Step 5:

File all the relevant paperwork for the sheriff elections.

Step 6:

Campaign for votes. The important thing here is to make your constituents understand that you are the best candidate for the position.

Step 7:

Secure an election victory to become sheriff of your chosen county.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Vermont Sheriff?

The time taken to become a sheriff will depend largely on the minimum work experience (law enforcement) requirement of your county of preference. You will also be spending some time training at the police academy. So, you may become a sheriff in 3 to 4 years or take as much as 8 years or anything in between.

What Compensation Is Provided to a Sheriff in Vermont?

In Vermont, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives earn about $92,680 in annual mean wage (as of May, 2018). This is according to information obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.