Police Department : Town of Hartford 

 

Employment Opportunities


The Hartford Police Department recognizes that the recruitment and selection of all personnel is one of its most important activities. Inasmuch, it is our goal to employ a knowledgeable, values-centered, service-focused workforce that mirrors the ethnic, racial, and gender composition of the regional labor force. Working together with the Town’s Human Resources Director, we monitor and develop strategies to attract a qualified, diverse applicant pool, while also fostering the conditions necessary to develop a competent, inclusive team of public safety professionals.

 
 

Open Positions


The Hartford Police Department is currently accepting applications for the following positions:

Police Officer
Description [PDF] | Qualifications | Apply

Certified Police Officer
Description [PDF] | Qualifications | Apply

 
 

Hiring Process (Entry Level)

Initial Screening of Applicants

Each candidate is required to submit an Employment Application and a Confidential Questionnaire. Law Enforcement and Communications applicants will not receive a Confidential Questionnaire until the successful completion of Selection Testing.

Selection Testing

The purpose of selection testing is to evaluate the entry-level candidates' level of physical fitness and cognitive ability as it relates to performance in judgment, learning, problem solving, observation, and memory. Those applicants presently certified by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council as a Level III Law Enforcement Officer, and those Communications Specialists who are presently certified by the Vermont Enhanced 911 Board, are both exempt from the Selection Testing Process.

Entry Level – Police Officer (Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council)

  • All entry level law enforcement applicants must successfully complete the physical fitness assessment administered by the Vermont Police Academy immediately preceding the start of the Entrance Level III Academy.

  • The written examination for admission to the Entrance Level III Academy is administered once a month at the Vermont Police Academy. All written examination scores must be less than five years old from the start of training.

  • Applicants must complete the psychological screening.

Entry Level – Communications Specialist

  • The National Dispatcher Selection Test (NDST) is proctored by the Hartford Police Department and used to objectively assess a candidate’s skill level in the areas of comprehension, listening, problem solving, prioritizing, and multi-tasking.

  • Typing skills assessment is proctored by the Hartford Police Department and used to objectively assess data entry accuracy; typing skills; and calculate words per minute (WPM), keys per hour, and keys per minute.

Law Enforcement and Communications applicants successfully completing Selection Testing will receive the Confidential Questionnaire, which must be completed and returned prior to participating in the next steps of the process. Those applicants that do not obtain a passing score during any part of selection testing must wait one month before taking it again. No applicant will be permitted to test more than twice in the same twelve (12) month period.

Panel Interview

The purpose of the panel interview is to assess the ability of the candidate to communicate clearly and thoughtfully and to give them the opportunity to demonstrate their reasoning abilities.

Background Investigation

A background investigation of each candidate is conducted prior to appointment to probationary status in accordance with Hartford Police Department Personnel Procedures.

Polygraph Examination (Law Enforcement Only)

Law Enforcement applicants must submit to a polygraph examination as scheduled by the Deputy Chief of Police, or his/her designee, with a professionally trained polygraph examiner.

Medical Exam & Drug Screening

After receiving a "Conditional Offer of Employment," Law Enforcement applicants must pass a physical examination.

All applicants must submit to a drug screen for controlled dangerous substances.

Certified Police Waiver Process

Individuals certified as full-time law-enforcement officers in another jurisdiction may be eligible to receive a waiver for certain training requirements. More information about the waiver process can be obtained from the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council by clicking here.

 
 

Qualifications

Emergency Communications Specialist Qualifications

In addition to those requirements established by the Vermont Enhanced 911 Board and the Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC), the Hartford Police Department has identified the following minimum qualifications for all communications applicants:

  • Age 18+ at the time of certification

  • U.S. Citizenship or documented authorization to work in the United States

  • High school graduate or GED

Applicants for the position of Emergency Communications Specialist must successfully complete the following requirements in connection with certification:

  • National Dispatcher Selection Test

  • Typing skills assessment

  • Panel interview

  • Background, character, and criminal history investigation

  • Drug screening

Police Officer Qualifications

In addition to those requirements established by the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, the Hartford Police Department has identified the following minimum qualifications for all law enforcement applicants:

  • Age 21+ at the time of certification

  • U.S. Citizenship or documented authorization to work in the United States

  • High school graduate or GED

  • Valid driver’s license

The Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council mandates successful completion of the following requirements in connection with the certification of any law enforcement officer:

  • Panel interview

  • Background, character, and criminal history investigation

  • Physical examinations

  • Drug screening

  • Polygraph examination

  • Entrance Level Police Officer Candidates must successfully complete:

    • Vermont Police Academy written examination

    • Physical fitness testing

    • Psychological screening

 
 

Employment Application


Click the button below to download a PDF application. Mail or email completed application or call (802) 295-9425 for more information.

Email questions can be directed to Commander Constance Kelley.

The Hartford Police Department is an equal opportunity employer; women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applications are accepted on a continual basis and remain on file for future openings.