Vermont State Police
The Vermont State Police (VSP) is the statewide law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of Vermont, tasked with maintaining public safety and enforcing laws across jurisdictions where local policing is limited.[1] Established on July 1, 1947, under the Department of Public Safety, the agency was formed to address gaps in rural law enforcement, one of the last such state-level forces created in the United States, with U.S. Marine Corps Major General Merritt Edson appointed as its inaugural commissioner.[2] The VSP provides primary police services to 200 towns encompassing 90 percent of Vermont's land mass and roughly half its population, relying on 332 sworn members and 64 dispatchers to handle criminal investigations, traffic control, and emergency responses.[1] Currently directed by Colonel Matthew Birmingham, the VSP maintains statewide jurisdiction and operates through specialized divisions including criminal, field operations, and support services, emphasizing integrity-driven service in Vermont's largely rural terrain.[3][4] Defining its role amid Vermont's decentralized policing landscape, the agency supports municipal forces with resources like the Marine Division for water patrols and contributes to statewide initiatives in drug enforcement and disaster response, while facing challenges inherent to covering vast, sparsely populated areas with limited personnel.[4]History
Formation and Early Establishment
The Vermont State Police was formed on July 1, 1947, as part of the newly created Department of Public Safety, marking the state's first centralized law enforcement agency beyond local constables and sheriffs.[2] This establishment followed legislative action in the spring of 1947 and an executive order by Governor Ernest W. Gibson Jr., which transferred motor vehicle inspectors and highway patrol personnel to the new force.[5] The catalyst for creation was the December 1, 1946, disappearance of 18-year-old Bennington College student Paula Jean Welden while hiking the Long Trail, an unsolved case that overwhelmed local police resources and highlighted the need for statewide investigative capabilities.[6] Prior discussions dated to the mid-1930s, spurred by events like a brazen 1930s bank robbery in Manchester, but faced resistance rooted in Vermont's tradition of town-level autonomy and skepticism toward centralized authority.[7] Major General Merritt A. Edson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Medal of Honor recipient for his World War II actions on Guadalcanal, was appointed the first Commissioner of Public Safety.[2] The initial roster comprised 27 highway patrolmen transferred from the Department of Motor Vehicles, equipped primarily for traffic enforcement but tasked with broader criminal investigations.[8] Early operations focused on establishing presence across Vermont's rural expanse, with the first state police radio system completed on September 28, 1948, enabling coordinated communications.[9] Headquarters were set up on February 9, 1948, in the Redstone building in Montpelier, purchased by the state for $25,000, serving as the administrative hub for training and operations until expansion necessitated relocation.[9] This foundational period emphasized building a professional force amid debates over funding and scope, reflecting Vermont's cautious approach to state-level policing while addressing evident gaps in public safety coordination.Uniforms and Initial Operations
The uniforms of the Vermont State Police were modeled after those of the U.S. Marine Corps, incorporating the state's traditional green and gold colors, a design choice influenced by the military background of the agency's first commissioner, Major General Merritt A. Edson.[9][10] A board chaired by Edson developed the attire as a hybrid blending U.S. Marine and British styles to establish a professional appearance suited for statewide duties.[7] This structure extended to the rank insignia and overall discipline, reflecting Edson's experience as a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.[7] Initial operations commenced on July 1, 1947, following the passage of Public Act 163 by the Vermont General Assembly earlier that spring, which created the Department of Public Safety and consolidated existing state-level law enforcement functions.[2][9] The force integrated inspectors from the Department of Motor Vehicles, fire marshals, and welfare investigators, while recruiting additional personnel to roughly double the initial roster to about 70 members at startup.[7] By full establishment, the agency comprised 125 sworn troopers and 37 civilian staff, tasked primarily with highway patrol, criminal and arson investigations, public safety education, and game law enforcement across Vermont's rural expanse.[9][7] Troopers operated under demanding conditions, averaging 90 hours per week and logging approximately 23,000 miles annually per officer, supported by the introduction of green patrol vehicles featuring yellow stripes for visibility.[7] Edson implemented military-style general orders and efficiency evaluations to enforce standards, while early initiatives included forensic training, integration into a regional teletype network for communication, and public outreach via speeches and radio addresses to build trust in the new centralized force.[7] These efforts addressed prior deficiencies in county-based policing, highlighted by cases like the 1946 disappearance of Paula Welden, which had underscored the need for coordinated statewide response capabilities.[9]Headquarters and Expansion
The Vermont State Police established its first headquarters on February 9, 1948, at the Redstone building in Montpelier, Vermont, acquiring the property and 10 acres of land for $25,000 to centralize operations following the agency's formation the previous year.[9] This facility supported initial radio communications, with the first statewide system enabling three-way links between stations, headquarters, and patrol cars completed on September 28, 1948.[9] Due to departmental growth and space constraints, headquarters relocated in 1983 to the Vermont State Office Complex at 45 State Drive in Waterbury, Vermont, where it remains.[11] The current site integrates modern infrastructure, including the Vermont Crime Information Center and Vermont Forensic Laboratory, to accommodate expanded administrative, investigative, and technical functions.[11] Early field presence relied on 11 district stations housed within Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles offices statewide, facilitating basic patrol and enforcement in rural areas. Over subsequent decades, the agency developed dedicated barracks, evolving to a network of 10 facilities organized into Troop A (northern Vermont, covering Williston, St. Albans, Berlin, St. Johnsbury, and Derby) and Troop B (southern Vermont, covering Westminster, Rutland, Shaftsbury, New Haven, and Middlebury) to ensure comprehensive geographic coverage across Vermont's 9,620 square miles.[12] [13] Recent expansions have focused on replacing outdated infrastructure through state capital investments, with the Vermont State Police midway through this process as of 2016.[14] Key developments include the Westminster Barracks, a new $6.5 million facility opened in July 2016 adjacent to Interstate 91 Exit 5 to replace prior leased spaces and improve southern coverage;[15] the Berlin Barracks, dedicated in June 2022 as the first new field station since Westminster;[16] and a $30 million upgrade to the Williston Barracks completed with trooper relocation on December 4, 2023, featuring enhanced dispatch capabilities and quicker response infrastructure for northern operations.[17] [18] These upgrades address aging facilities' limitations, such as inadequate space and technology, amid troop consolidations implemented in 2017 to streamline management.[19]Growth Through the 20th Century
The Vermont State Police, upon its formal establishment on July 1, 1947, began operations with a consolidated force drawn from existing state inspectors, fire marshals, and motor vehicle personnel, initially numbering around 70 members who were granted expanded enforcement authority across jurisdictional lines.[7] This marked a departure from the prior reliance on 14 county sheriffs and a limited Department of Motor Vehicles highway patrol, which had been augmented to 15 motorcycle officers by 1929 but lacked statewide coordination.[20] The agency's early growth was spurred by legislative recognition of investigative shortcomings, as evidenced by high-profile cases like the 1946 disappearance of Paula Welden, which highlighted the need for a centralized, professional force.[9] By 1948, the VSP had expanded to 169 total personnel, including 125 sworn troopers and 37 civilians, enabling broader coverage of Vermont's rural terrain.[9] That year, on February 9, the first permanent headquarters was acquired in Montpelier at the former Redstone Arsenal site for $25,000, providing a dedicated base for administration and operations.[9] Complementing this infrastructural step, a statewide radio communication system was completed on September 28, 1948, facilitating three-way coordination between troopers, dispatch, and supervisors—a critical advancement for response efficacy in an era before widespread mobile technology.[9] Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the agency grew incrementally to address rising demands from population shifts, vehicular traffic, and criminal activities, including the establishment of additional barracks for regional presence and the relocation of headquarters to a larger Waterbury facility in 1983 to support expanded staffing and functions.[11] This period also saw legislative enhancements, such as the 1967 creation of formalized training programs and a state law enforcement council, which bolstered professionalization and specialized capabilities without the fragmented localism of prior decades.[21] Trooper salaries, starting at $2,520 annually in 1947 and rising to a maximum of $3,150 after 20 years, reflected modest but steady investment in retention amid the force's evolution into a comprehensive public safety entity.Key Leadership Figures
The Vermont State Police is commanded by a director holding the rank of colonel, appointed by the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Safety for a three-year term, with the position reflecting extensive operational experience within the agency.[10] Maj. Gen. Merritt A. Edson, a decorated U.S. Marine Corps officer and Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, served as the inaugural commissioner of the Department of Public Safety upon the State Police's formation on July 1, 1947, providing initial leadership and structural oversight during the agency's establishment from existing motor vehicle inspectors and state detectives.[2] Colonel Thomas L'Esperance directed the Vermont State Police until his retirement in August 2015, following a career marked by emphasis on trooper training and inter-agency coordination amid growing demands for statewide enforcement.[22] Colonel Matthew T. Birmingham succeeded L'Esperance, promoted to director on August 7, 2015, after 17 years of service including roles in investigations and command staff. Birmingham, who holds a master's degree in public administration, has led expansions in technology integration and community policing initiatives while maintaining a force of approximately 332 sworn members as of recent reports. He remains in the position as of October 2025.[23][3][1]Organizational Structure
Rank and Command Hierarchy
The Vermont State Police maintains a hierarchical rank structure for its approximately 332 sworn members, reflecting levels of command responsibility from statewide leadership to frontline operations. The Director, holding the rank of Colonel, leads the agency and reports to the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Safety.[10] A Lieutenant Colonel may serve as Deputy Director or Director-Designee, providing immediate subordinate oversight.[10] Below this executive level, three Majors command the agency's core divisions: Major Steven Coote leads the Field Force Division, which handles uniform patrol services across 10 barracks; Major Jeremy Hill directs the Criminal Division for major investigations including homicides and narcotics; and Major David Petersen oversees the Support Services Division, encompassing recruitment, training, technology, and internal affairs.[4][10] Captains, typically commanding troops or specialized staff sections within divisions, bridge divisional leadership to operational units, requiring at least two years as a Lieutenant for promotion.[10] Lieutenants manage individual barracks stations or subunits, necessitating four years as a Sergeant and, for hires after 1998, a bachelor's degree.[10] Non-commissioned ranks include Senior Sergeants, promoted after 15 years in the Sergeant role; Sergeants as first-line supervisors and detectives, requiring five years as a Trooper and an associate's degree for post-1998 hires; Corporals, attained after 15 years as Trooper; and Troopers, achieved following a one-year probationary period.[10] Promotions across ranks demand sustained performance ratings of "meets or exceeds" standards, physical fitness tests (with medical exemptions possible), and case-by-case evaluation beyond the Colonel level.[10] This structure ensures centralized command from the Colonel through divisional Majors, with decentralized execution via Captain-led troops covering Vermont's rural geography, emphasizing patrol, investigation, and support functions without intermediate ranks like First Sergeant beyond seniority distinctions.[10][4] The hierarchy prioritizes experience-based advancement, with educational thresholds implemented since 1998 to qualify supervisory roles, fostering operational expertise in a state police model serving over 90% of Vermont's landmass.[10]Specialized Divisions and Units
The Vermont State Police maintains specialized teams and units to address high-risk operations, technical investigations, and targeted enforcement needs that exceed routine patrol capabilities, often assisting local, municipal, county, and federal partners during crises, disasters, or complex cases. These entities draw from trained state troopers who balance specialized roles with standard assignments, ensuring rapid deployment statewide. Key teams encompass tactical response, explosive ordnance disposal, and search operations, while investigative units within the Criminal Division focus on major felonies and narcotics.[24][25] The Tactical Services Unit conducts high-risk warrant services, barricade incidents, and hostage rescues, employing advanced tactics and equipment for situations requiring precision intervention.[26] The Bomb Squad Team responds to explosive device threats, performing render-safe procedures and post-blast analysis in coordination with federal entities like the FBI.[24] Complementing these, the K-9 Team deploys canine units for narcotics detection, apprehension, and tracking, with handlers undergoing ongoing certification to support searches and seizures.[24] The Underwater Recovery Team and Search and Rescue Team handle aquatic and wilderness recoveries, including evidence retrieval and victim location during floods or missing persons cases, leveraging specialized gear and training for Vermont's rugged terrain.[24] Additional support comes from the Crisis Negotiation Unit, which manages hostage and suicide interventions through de-escalation protocols, and the Critical Incident Dispatch Team, which coordinates multi-agency responses to active threats.[24] The Crash Reconstruction Team analyzes fatal and serious collisions using forensic engineering to determine causation, aiding prosecutorial and preventive efforts.[24] In the Criminal Division, the Major Crime Unit probes homicides, suspicious deaths, officer-involved shootings, and complex unsolved cases, supervised by two detective lieutenants and staffed by nine detective sergeants—including six investigators and two from the Crime Scene Search Team for evidence processing.[27] This unit also oversees the Technology Investigation Unit, which forensically examines digital devices for evidence in cybercrimes and related probes, and the Polygraph Unit for interviewee verifications.[27] The Bureau of Criminal Investigations operates four district-based teams of detectives specializing in property crimes, sexual assaults, and financial frauds, collaborating with field forces for comprehensive case resolution.[28] Under Special Investigations, the Narcotics Investigation Unit targets drug trafficking networks through surveillance and undercover operations, while the Drug Diversion Unit combats prescription opioid misuse by monitoring healthcare diversions.[25] The Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team dismantles illegal drug labs, mitigating hazards from methamphetamine production.[24] Support Services includes the Internal Affairs Unit, which probes internal misconduct allegations to uphold operational integrity, though it functions more administratively than tactically.[29] These units collectively enhance the agency's capacity for evidence-driven responses, with requests routed through local barracks for coordinated activation.[24]Barracks and Geographic Coverage
The Vermont State Police maintains 10 barracks organized into two geographic troops, with Troop A responsible for northern Vermont and Troop B for southern Vermont, enabling comprehensive statewide coverage of approximately 90% of the state's landmass and primary law enforcement services for around 200 towns without dedicated municipal police forces.[1][12] These facilities house patrol troopers, detectives, and support staff, with staffing levels adjusted according to local call volumes, road mileage, and population density; for instance, barracks along major interstates like I-89 and I-91 prioritize traffic enforcement and rapid response.[12]| Troop | Barracks | Primary Location | Key Coverage Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (Northern) | Williston | Williston, Chittenden County | Chittenden and Lamoille counties, including Interstate 89 segments.[30] |
| A (Northern) | St. Albans | St. Albans, Franklin County | Franklin and Grand Isle counties.[31] |
| A (Northern) | Berlin | Berlin, Washington County | Central Vermont, including Washington and Orange counties, rural farmlands, and Interstate 89.[32] |
| A (Northern) | St. Johnsbury | St. Johnsbury, Caledonia County | Caledonia County and parts of Essex County, covering over 200 miles of state roads.[33] |
| A (Northern) | Derby | Derby, Orleans County | Northeast Kingdom, including Essex and Orleans counties, Interstate 91 (25.25 miles), and U.S.-Canada border areas.[34] |
| B (Southern) | Westminster | Westminster, Windham County | Majority of Windham and Windsor counties; new facility opened off Interstate 91 Exit 5, replacing older Rockingham site.[15] |
| B (Southern) | Royalton | Royalton, Windsor County | Southern central Vermont portions.[12] |
| B (Southern) | Rutland | Rutland, Rutland County | Rutland County.[12] |
| B (Southern) | Shaftsbury | Shaftsbury, Bennington County | Bennington County areas.[12] |
| B (Southern) | New Haven | New Haven, Addison County | Addison County and surrounding southern regions.[35] |