Public Safety is designed for students who want to learn how to become a law enforcement officer.

College Credits

Intro to Criminal Justice (3 credits) CCV

Forensics & Crime Scene Investigation (3 credits) CCV

Certifications

  • Incident Command Certification
  • American Heart Association Heartsaver® CPR/AED
  • Mandated Reporter Child and Vulnerable Adult
  • Security Officer Skills Training
  • Department of Homeland Security S.A.R. training
  • Lexipol Police1 and Fire1 Course certifications
  • DOH Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Training-4 courses
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency Certifications 8 courses
  • National Incident Management Systems Certifications
  • Conover Workplace Readiness
  • ACT National Career Readiness Certificate

Programs



APPLY

Advisory Committee

  • Sheriff David Fox—Rutland County Sheriff’s Department
  • Lt. Kevin Geno—Rutland County Sheriff’s Department
  • Mark Stockton—Stockton Security
  • Ian Sullivan—Rutland County State’s Attorney
  • William Lovett—Rutland City Fire  Department
  • Ernie Laguardia—Rutland CIty Police Department
  • SSgt Kyle Prouty— Vermont Army National Guard
  • SSgt Joseph Goodreau—United States Army Career Development
  • Lt Doug Norton—Vermont State Police
  • Thomas Giffin—VT Dept of Corrections, Ret
  • Melanie Gaiotti—Vermont Department of Liquor Control
  • Jane Bourhill—Vermont Department of Health
  • Fabio Caetano—MVRCF
  • Melinda Winters—Department of Corrections
  • Student Representative—Public Safety/ Criminal Justice student

This program is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in the public safety and criminal justice system with an emphasis on first-year students learning the fundamentals of investigations during the fall semester (1st/2nd Terms), and for the spring semester (3rd/4th Terms) students enroll in CCV’s 3 credit, Introduction to Criminal Justice, as a part of the first-year program. Second-year students learn what it takes to serve in public safety career fields such as the courts, police, firefighter, and emergency medical services, leadership, and cooperative learning/internships are a required part of their second-year program. The program studies are academically rigorous preparing students for a career in public safety and criminal justice fields.

What We Do

Students will examine law enforcement, the courts, and corrections in addition to practicing crime scene investigation skills used by forensic investigators. Through hands-on skill building, guest speakers, field trips, and career exploration projects, students investigate the variety of career opportunities available to them in public safety and criminal justice while earning industry-recognized credentials.

Entry Requirements

Recommended Prerequisites: Able to perform customary measurement; ability to perform physical activities in a gym and during simulated scenarios, ability to work well with others, effective communication skills, maturity and integrity, and commitment to avoid unlawful and delinquent behavior.

Reading Level of class materials: Grade 10

Embedded Credits: 1 Science OR 1 Social Studies

Program Instructor – Todd Sprague

Todd stands in front of green trees, smilingto**********@****vt.org       (802) 770-1416

Todd Sprague joins Stafford Technical Center as the Public Safety Instructor. He brings more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, public safety, and education, including work as a police officer and private investigator. Before coming to Stafford, he taught Criminal Justice and Public Safety at Randolph Technical Career Center, where he developed a specialized public safety drone component believed to be the only one of its kind among Vermont’s secondary CTE programs.

In the classroom, Todd emphasizes hands-on learning, professionalism, teamwork, problem-solving, and career readiness. He looks forward to helping Stafford students explore careers in law enforcement, corrections, search and rescue, and related public safety fields while building practical skills, earning certifications, and preparing for their next steps. Outside of school, he enjoys camping, hiking, and flying drones. He lives in Barre with his wife and son, several dogs, a flock of chickens, and a few thousand bees.

 

 Public Safety & Criminal Justice

The left side of the graphic includes the Stafford Technical Center logo and the phrase:

Career Tree – Education with Purpose

This infographic uses the image of a large tree to illustrate career pathways in Public Safety & Criminal Justice.

The tree begins with roots that represent the personal and educational foundation needed for career success. The trunk symbolizes growth, and the tree branches into three progressively higher levels of careers represented by layered platforms surrounding the tree.

 

Graphic Structure

Foundation (Roots)

The roots of the tree are labeled with four foundational elements:

  • Academics
  • Experiences
  • Professional Skills
  • Passion

These elements are presented as the basis for career development.

Level 1 – Entry-Level Careers

With Program Completion

Examples include:

  • Police or Sheriff Patrol Officer
  • Public Service Dispatcher
  • Correctional Officer
  • Military Personnel
  • Gaming Surveillance or Investigation Officer
  • Firefighter
  • Immigration and Customs Officer
  • Transit/Railroad Police
  • Security Guard
  • Transportation Security Officer
  • Loss Prevention Specialist
  • Victim Service Advocate

Level 2 – Technical Careers

Apprenticeship, Associate Degree, Advanced Certification, Experience, etc.

Career options include:

  • Emergency Medical Technician/ Paramedic
  • Detective and Criminal Investigator
  • Private Investigator
  • Supervisor
  • Fire Investigator
  • Court Reporter
  • Entrepreneur/Business Owner
  • Forensic Science Technician
  • K-9 Officer
  • Latent Print Examiner
  • Park Ranger
  • Paralegal

Level 3 – Professional Careers

Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Ph.D., Specialized Training, Experience, etc.

Career options include:

  • Fish and Game Warden
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Community Health Worker
  • Judge or Magistrate
  • Correctional Treatment Specialist
  • Probation Officer
  • Judicial Law Clerk
  • Attorney Prosecuotr/Defense
  • Cyber Security Director
  • FBI, DEA, CIA, or Secret Service Agent
  • Psychological Profiler
  • Forensic Pathologist

Key Message

The tree represents a progression of career development:

  1. Strong roots are built through academics, experience, professional skills, and passion.
  2. Students can begin in entry-level construction careers after program completion.
  3. Additional education, certifications, apprenticeships, and experience lead to technical careers.
  4. Higher education and specialized training provide pathways to professional careers with greater responsibility and leadership opportunities.

The visual emphasizes that career growth is continuous and that each stage builds upon the previous one.