STEP UP TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

• Genesis of the program
• Curriculum overview
• FAQ

Check out our new video below to learn all about this exciting program!
SPECIAL Thanks to Adam Walker and Jane's Trust

“Step Up to Law Enforcement has opened so many doors and given me direction in my life.”    - Emily, program graduate

“After this program, I now want a career with a future, and I know I can get it.”    - Jackie, program graduate

Purpose of the Program

Step Up to Law Enforcement is a nine-week training program to prepare qualified female candidates for the Vermont Police Academy and/or careers with the Vermont Department of Corrections. Participants who successfully complete the program are supported as they apply to local police departments, the Vermont State Police and/or the Vermont Department of Corrections. New hires attend residential training at the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford or the Department of Corrections Academy in Rutland, as paid employees of their departments.

Click here to download a Step Up To Law Enforcement Application PDF

Need Adobe Reader to read the PDF?  You can download the free copy here

Genesis of the Program

Step Up to Law Enforcement is the first pre-law enforcement education and training program for women in the United States. The program represents a unique collaboration between law enforcement agencies and Vermont Works for Women. The program’s genesis began when a local police chief, eager to hire qualified female officers, approached VWW to explore working together. That initial contact led to the creation of a working group with representatives from various law enforcement agencies, an outside consultant, and VWW staff. The working group researched training models, developed curriculum, secured funding, and allocated staff to teach and administer the program.

VWW launched its first Step Up to Policing class in October 2004 in Burlington, Vermont.

Why law enforcement officials want to hire women

According to the National Center for Women and Policing, female officers are:

• Proven to be as competent as their male counterparts in patrol and administrative work
• Less likely to use excessive force. Physical strength has not been proven to be a significant predictor of effectiveness in an officer’s ability to manage dangerous situations.
• Adept at implementing community-oriented policing where communication, problem solving, and cooperation skills are paramount
• Able to improve law enforcement’s response to domestic violence situations, the single largest category of calls made to police agencies
• Key to reducing problems of sexual harassment and discrimination within an agency. Sexual harassment is more prevalent in male-dominated workplaces.

Hiring and retaining women reduces the under-representation of female officers. Progressive law enforcement agencies recognize the value of building a competent force that more clearly reflects the demographic profile of the community they serve.

“Step Up to Law Enforcement gives you the opportunity to explore all avenues of policing to help you see if you have what it takes to become a law enforcement officer.” - Jeanette, 2004 Graduate

What we look for in Candidates to Step Up to Law Enforcement

• Commitment to serve community
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Intelligence
• Open-mindedness
• Communication skills
• Customer service savvy
• Ability to listen and assess situations
• Teamwork
• Respect for self and others
• Strong work ethic
• Sensitivity to diversity
• Fortitude to meet the challenges of training
• Candidates with prior minor convictions are not automatically disqualified from consideration. Each applicant will be reviewed individually.

Curriculum Overview

NEW in 2008 - Classes on the weekend and evenings offer women the schedule they need to prepare for a new career in law enforcement.

The curriculum is designed to prepare candidates for the rigors of the police and/or corrections academies and the intellectual demands of effective law enforcement practices. Classes are taught by VWW staff and law enforcement personnel.

Key Components of the Step Up to Law Enforcement Curriculum: Introduction to topics in law enforcement

• Athletic training to prepare for the VT Police Academy’s physical agility testing
• Background, preparation, and practice for Oral Board Interviews
• Presentations, workshops, and panel discussions with officers
• Professional development module to foster effective written and verbal communication, problem-solving, and goal-setting
• Team building
• Employment workshops to enhance job search, interview, application, and career development skills
• Opportunities to interview with law enforcement and corrections agencies

Step Up to Law Enforcement for Women:
Physical Testing Criteria

Success in law enforcement requires a certain level of physical fitness. Since the program is offered in the evening, physical fitness training is no longer part of the curriculum. Vermont Works for Women does offer gym membership and one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer to make fitness plans specific to their needs.

While we are ideally looking for candidates that are physically fit, we are not specifically looking for women who can meet all physical qualifications outlined in the tables below to begin the program. Instead, we are looking for women who will commit themselves to follow-through with all physical training activities, and all trainer recommendations.

Throughout the program you will need to be increasing your strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness, as well as work on the 1.5 mile run, sit-ups, and push-ups. This training will prepare you to successfully complete the physical training test required to graduate from the Vermont Police Academy.

Participants will need to be willing to work on areas of physical strength, agility, or the ability to run 1.5 miles, outside of the time scheduled for the Step Up to Law Enforcement program. Your commitment will drive your own success in this area.

Please look over the physical testing standards above and note that they are determined by age and gender. These tables outline the criteria you will need to meet to be accepted into and to graduate from the 16-week Police Academy, a requirement to work in the field of law enforcement.

If you have any questions, please contact our program coordinator.

Post-Program Support

Employment Support Meetings are facilitated by VWW staff following graduation. These meetings are designed to share sources for job leads, help maintain job search momentum, and provide support as women work through the multiple steps required to enter law enforcement. Additionally, program graduates receive ongoing one-on-one support from VWW in the form of phone calls, emails, and personal meetings. VWW maintains an online Job Bank updated weekly, which lists law enforcement jobs currently under recruitment. Program graduates who are hired are contacted periodically to support retention and career building.

“When I started this program, I couldn’t do one pushup without fears of falling face first into the carpet and I hated running.. why would anyone want to run unless they were being chased?  But here I am now doing 20 pushups, and running a mile and a half with ease.  I have so much confidence and self esteem that I feel like I’m unstoppable, and I look in the mirror and can’t help but smile. I’m almost halfway there on the road to my goal and I see nothing but green lights.”
- Carrie, 2008 Graduate