Currently, about 10 percent of the Vermont State Police is made up of female troopers. While that’s a higher percentage than any other state police agency in New England, it’s still a very low number. The issue is this: There simply aren’t many females interested in the job. I conducted a survey at Mount Abraham Union High School and found that out of the 36 females who responded, 25 of them were either not interested in the job or didn’t know enough about it.
So the question is, what needs to be done in order to get more young females interested in the job? I think that more information needs to be available. Yes, the Vermont State Police has a website that goes over the job requirements, functions, benefits, etc. However, unless someone is interested in being a state trooper, they wouldn’t just randomly go on the Vermont State Police website.
I have contacted the Vermont State Police and pamphlets containing basic information will soon be available at Mount Abe. I feel that this is a step in the right direction, however the awareness can’t stop here. It would be great if pamphlets were available in public places, such as coffee shops, gas stations, doctors’ offices, etc. In order for females to become interested in being troopers, they need to be exposed to basic information about the job at an earlier age.
Haley Boise
New Haven