Park Patrol

Now Hiring for Summer 2026

Essex Parks Patrol

The Essex Parks Patrol, referred to from this point on as EPP, was established for the purpose of providing high visibility, and daytime and evening bicycle and foot patrols in the Town of Essex and the City of Essex Junction. The areas to be patrolled will include, but not be limited to, the bike path(s), parks, schools, the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds, and Essex and Essex Junction business districts and residential streets. This unit will be a partnership between the Essex Police Department and individuals who are interested in a career in law enforcement. 

This endeavor is in full compliance with the department’s overall mission of inspiring the citizens of Essex to take an active part in policing the community and making Essex a safer place to live, work, and grow up in. It additionally complements the department’s community policing efforts.

The objective of this unit will be to promote health and safety in recreational areas of the community. The activities these individuals will engage in will be:

Caretaker functions: giving directions, rendering first aid and alerting emergency medical services to sick or injured person(s), assisting persons with disabled equipment (such as bicycles, roller blades, scooters etc.).

Observe and report suspected criminal activity

Observe and report safety deficiencies such as: potholes, missing signs, street lights out, etc.

Observe and report violations of rules at community parks

Know and practice proper bicycle safety

Engage in positive interactions with the community

In order to accomplish this objective, the Essex Police Department will provide EPP members with a bicycle that will be used on assignment, a bicycle helmet, and a bike bag containing some basic first aid equipment, an EPD two-way radio, and OC (Pepper) spray. We will also provide a water bottle, a picture ID, and a summer shirt to be worn on duty that identifies each member as an EPP member.

Additionally, the Essex Police Department will provide each member with training that will include Situational Management, Ethics, EPP Mission Statement, EPD Rules & Regulations, Essex and Essex Junction Ordinances, CPR /First Aid, Vermont Bicycle Laws, basic bike safety information, Use of Police Communications, Defensive Tactics and OC Certification, and operational procedures and concerns.

EPP members will be personally responsible for providing their own navy blue shorts, white socks, and footwear. Each member will also be responsible for the cleanliness and general maintenance of their duty uniform.

Copies of the rules and regulations and a liability waiver will also be provided to each member.

The Essex Police Department will conduct a background check on each applicant. The background check will be limited to a check of Vermont Criminal Information Center (VCIC), Department of Motor Vehicles records, police department records, references, and contact with a school official that knows the applicant and can make factual comments about whether or not the applicant would be well suited for this type of task.

Members of the EPP are not law enforcement officers and will not engage in law enforcement activities.

Due to the fact that this is a police department-sponsored program, the Chief of Police reserves the right to modify or expand it at his/her discretion.

EPP employees are expected to work 40 hrs. /week, rotating schedule, covering 7 days a week, beginning in late May and ending in late August.

Essex Parks Patrol can qualify as a paid internship for college credits depending on the college/university requirements and is up to the student to coordinate the eligibility with the school.

Interested applicants please apply online or submit a letter of interest and complete and submit an Employment Application Form and Employment Info Release Form to Sgt. Michael Roberto c/o the Essex Police Department at 145 Maple Street, Essex Junction, Vermont 05452.  If you have any questions, please leave a message for Sgt. Roberto at #802-878-8331.

The Town of Essex is an equal opportunity employer.

NOTE: A FALSE OR DISHONEST ANSWER TO ANY QUESTION IN THIS APPLICATION MAY BE GROUNDS FOR RATING YOU INELIGIBLE OR FOR DISMISSING YOU AFTER APPLICATION EMPLOYMENT APPOINTMENT. ALL STATEMENTS MADE IN THIS APPLICATION ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING A CHECK OF YOUR FINGERPRINTS, POLICE RECORDS AND FORMER EMPLOYERS. By submitting this application you certify that all of the statements made in this application are true, complete and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief, and are made in good faith.