PITTSFORD, Vt. -
Vermont State Police monitor every corner of the state. Fully staffed they have close 327 sworn-in members, but right now they have 316.
It's a difficult process since troopers are allowed to retire at the age of 50 and required to by the age of 55.
Fox44's David Hodges went to the Vermont State Police Academy in Pittsford Thursday to find out if they have enough bodies to fill the boots of the one's leaving.
"We have a tradition of hiring the best and we're going to stick to that," said Vermont State Police Lieutenant Dave Notte, director of recruiting and training.
By 2017, around 73 troopers will be in the position to retire and others are likely to quit or be terminated. That's close to a third of the current staff who won't be around in five years.
"This is a constant battle for us we have to keep up with the attrition rate," Lt. Notte said.
A big part of this process is getting the right number of recruits. Notte says they try and take 15 for each session.
"If we can do that, if we can maintain having a class two times every year shooting for that 15 mark we should be able to keep up with it," said Lt. Notte.
That number isn't a constant. This year's class is already down to ten after two quit. And get this: thousands of people apply for the job.
"Part of that comes through the stuff that they put us through, "said recruit Luke Hall, also a former teacher.
"It is much like a boot camp and is very challenging."
The challenge for recruiters is making sure they get people who will stick it out.
"We've got one more day left and then we're headed to the basic academy, which we're really looking forward to," Hall said.
