Vermont

Vermont Laws on Recording Police

By Recording Law Editorial TeamPublished March 23, 2026Reviewed May 15, 20264 min read

Key Takeaways

1You have the right to record police in Vermont. The First Amendment protects recording on-duty officers performing public duties in public spaces.
2Federal one-party consent (18 U.S.C. 2511) allows you to audio record police interactions you participate in.
3Vermont sits in the Second Circuit, not the First Circuit. The Second Circuit has not issued a published civilian ruling clearly establishing a right to record police in public. Glik v. Cunniffe (1st Cir. 2011) and Project Veritas Action Fund v. Rollins (1st Cir. 2020) are persuasive sister-circuit authority only -- not binding in Vermont.
4Vermont's body-worn camera framework is at 20 V.S.A. 1819 (State Police equipping) and 20 V.S.A. 2369 (statewide policy via Vermont Criminal Justice Council, effective Jan 1 2022).
5Officers cannot confiscate your phone or force deletion without a warrant under Riley v. California (2014).

In Vermont, the First Amendment protects recording on-duty police officers in public spaces. Vermont sits in the Second Circuit, which has not issued a binding civilian ruling on this right. Federal one-party consent under 18 U.S.C. 2511 allows you to audio record your own police interactions.

Vermont residents have the right to record police performing their duties in public. The First Amendment provides the constitutional foundation. Federal one-party consent (18 U.S.C. 2511) allows you to audio record your own interactions with officers.

This guide covers your constitutional right to record, traffic stops, body cameras, and what to do if your rights are violated.

Constitutional Right to Record

The First Amendment protects recording police in public. Officers who seize devices or arrest people for recording face liability under 42 U.S.C. 1983.

Vermont is in the Second Circuit, not the First Circuit. The Second Circuit has not issued a published civilian ruling clearly establishing a First Amendment right to record on-duty police in public. Reyes v. City of New York (2d Cir. June 18, 2025) was a procedural certification to the New York Court of Appeals -- not a constitutional holding.

First Circuit decisions -- including Glik v. Cunniffe, 655 F.3d 78 (1st Cir. 2011), and Project Veritas Action Fund v. Rollins, 982 F.3d 813 (1st Cir. 2020) -- are persuasive sister-circuit authority only. They are not binding in Vermont federal courts.

When You Can Record

Vermont civilian rights card or pocket constitution booklet lying on a car seat

Traffic stops, arrests, police checkpoints, protests, government building interactions, and any public encounter. Maintain safe distance, do not interfere, do not trespass.

Body Camera Footage

Vermont police radio handset on a vehicle center console

Vermont's body-worn camera framework operates under two statutes. 20 V.S.A. 1819 requires the Vermont State Police Field Force to equip officers with body cameras (effective October 2, 2020). 20 V.S.A. 2369 established a statewide policy through the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, effective January 1, 2022. Municipal departments follow the VCJC policy framework.

Access to footage runs through Vermont's Public Records Act (1 V.S.A. 315-320), with exemptions for ongoing investigations.

Open Meeting Law

Vermont body camera charging dock station with multiple cameras docked

Vermont's Open Meeting Law (1 V.S.A. 310-314) protects recording of public government meetings. Act 133 (2024) and Act 51 (2025) updated recording requirements.

What to Do If Rights Violated

Remain calm, do not resist
State your First Amendment right
Document officer details
Contact the ACLU of Vermont
Consult an attorney about 42 U.S.C. 1983 claims

More Vermont Recording Laws

Back to Vermont Recording Laws

More Vermont Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record police officers in Vermont?

Yes. The First Amendment protects recording on-duty officers in public. Federal one-party consent also allows audio recording of your interactions with police.

Does Glik v. Cunniffe apply in Vermont?

No. Glik was decided by the First Circuit, which does not cover Vermont. Vermont is in the Second Circuit. Glik is persuasive authority but is not binding in Vermont federal courts.

Can police take my phone for recording them?

No. Under Riley v. California (2014), police need a warrant to search phones. State you do not consent and contact an attorney.

Can I record a traffic stop in Vermont?

Yes. Use a phone, dashcam, or any device. Keep hands visible and do not interfere with the stop.

Do Vermont police wear body cameras?

Vermont State Police are required to use body cameras under 20 V.S.A. 1819. A statewide policy covering all law enforcement agencies took effect January 1, 2022 under 20 V.S.A. 2369. Access to footage runs through the Public Records Act.

What if police order me to stop recording?

State your First Amendment right calmly. Do not resist. Document the interaction and contact an attorney about a 42 U.S.C. 1983 claim.

The Law Behind This Article

This article rests on 4 statutory provisions held in our own legal record, each retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.

United States Code Title 18

§ 2511Interception and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic communications prohibitedIn forcecited in 365 of our articles

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter any person who— intentionally intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept, any wire, oral, or electronic communication; intentionally uses, endeavors to use, or procures any other person to use or endeavor to use any electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept any oral communication when— such device is affixed to, or otherwise transmits a signal through, a wire, cable, or other like connection used in wire communication; or such device transmits communications by radio, or interferes with the transmission of such communication; or such person knows, or has reason to know, that such device or any component thereof has been sent through the mail or transported in interstate or foreign commerce; or such use or endeavor to use (A) takes place on the premises of any business or other commercial establishment the operations of which affect interstate or foreign commerce; or (B) obtains or is for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the operations of any business or other commercial establishment the operations of which affect interstate or foreign…

Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-28 · Read the full section at uscode.house.gov

Also relied on in: US Recording Laws by State (2026): All 50 States Explained, Alabama Audio Recording Laws: Consent Rules and Penalties, Alabama Dashcam Laws: Legality, Mounting Rules, and Evidence Use

United States Code Title 42

§ 1983Civil action for deprivation of rightsIn forcecited in 38 of our articles

Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress, except that in any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer’s judicial capacity, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable. For the purposes of this section, any Act of Congress applicable exclusively to the District of Columbia shall be considered to be a statute of the District of Columbia.

Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-28 · Read the full section at uscode.house.gov

Also relied on in: Alabama Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Limits, Idaho Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Limitations (2026), South Dakota Laws on Recording Police

Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 20: Internal Security and Public Safety, Chapter 111: General Provisions

§ 1819Equipment of officers with video recording devicesIn forcecited in 3 of our articles

The Department shall ensure that all members assigned to the Vermont State Police Field Force Division who routinely engage with members of the public related to the enforcement of laws are equipped with a body camera or other video recording device on his or her person. (Added 2019, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § E.209.1, eff. Oct. 2, 2020.)

Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-08-01 · Read the full section at legislature.vermont.gov

Also relied on in: Vermont Police Body Camera Laws: Mandate & Access, Vermont Recording Laws (2026): No Wiretap Statute, One-Party Default

Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 20: Internal Security and Public Safety, Chapter 151: Vermont Criminal Justice Council, Subchapter: GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 2369Statewide policy; required use of body camera policyIn forcecited in 3 of our articles

(a)(1) On and after January 1, 2022, each law enforcement agency that authorizes its law enforcement officers to use body cameras shall adopt, follow, and enforce a model body camera policy established by the Council, and each law enforcement officer who uses a body camera shall comply with the provisions of that policy. (2) Until the date set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection, each law enforcement agency that authorizes its law enforcement officers to use body cameras shall adopt, follow, and enforce the Model Body Worn Camera (BWC) Policy established by the Law Enforcement Advisory Board pursuant to 2016 Acts and Resolves No. 163, and each law enforcement officer who uses a body camera shall comply with the provisions of that policy. (b) The Council shall incorporate the provisions of this section into training it provides. (Added 2019, No. 166 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. Oct. 1, 2020.)