NEW HIRE applications are being accepted for consideration for our May 2022 academy.
Are you qualified to become a Salt Lake City Police Officer?
Minimum requirements:
Entry Level Officer
The minimum requirements to become a Salt Lake City Police Officer are as follows:
- Graduation from high school or possession of GED certificate.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen on/by the date of the first examination.
- Must be at least 21 years of age by the date the SFO test is administered in the academy.
- Successful completion of Civil Service examination process which may include physical agility test, written examination, oral board interviews, background investigation, computer voice stress analysis, psychological examination and evaluation, interview, and medical examination and drug screen.
- Graduation from Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy within six (6) months of hire.
- Considerable human relations and communications skills.
- Ability to work independently, make critical decisions, and use initiative and common sense.
- Must have valid Utah Driver License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.
Lateral Hire
To qualify for the Salt Lake City Police Department Lateral Entry Program, a candidate must meet the following:
In-State and Out-of-State Candidates:
- A candidate must have a current Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification as a Law Enforcement Officer. Out-of-state applicants must successfully pass Utah POST Waiver Process.
- Candidates must have at LEAST one year of experience as an officer working for a department whose primary focus is responding to calls for service
- Candidates would be required to meet all minimum requirements to become a Salt Lake City Police Department Officer.
- Candidates must fill out an employment application for the Salt Lake City Police Department and attach a copy of their Category I Certificate.
- Candidates must complete a Lateral Entry Application (provided prior to hire).
- Candidates must successfully complete all stages of the Salt Lake City Police Officer Testing Process approved by the Civil Service Commission. The testing stages include the following: Written Communication Exercise, Oral Board Interview, Background Investigation, Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA), Psychological Evaluation and Examination, Interview with the Chief, Physical Examination and Drug Screen.
Upon successful completion of all stages in the testing process, the Lateral Entry Program would include the following:
- Compensation credit given for prior experience as a Category I Police Officer with any public law enforcement agency on a year-for-year basis (up to 12 years).
- Vacation and personal leave credit given for prior experience as a Category I Police Officer with any public law enforcement agency on a year-for-year basis (up to 12 years). Additional time awarded for prior Salt Lake City Corporation employment.
- No credit would be given for less than 1 year (12 months) of law enforcement experience as a Category I Police Officer. Credit is only counted by every full year of completed service.
- Candidates would be required to complete the full or abbreviated Salt Lake City Police Academy, as requested. Candidates are paid their lateral entry salary while attending the Police Academy.
Many Career Opportunities Within the Department
Police officers have the ability to work several different specialized assignments during their career. They have the opportunity of moving within the department while learning new skills on the job.
A few specialty squads are:
- Airport Division
- Bike Patrol
- Bomb Squad
- Detective Division
- Gang Unit
- Homicide Unit
- Intelligence Division
- K9 Squad
- Narcotics Task Force
- SWAT Team
recruitment@slcgov.com
Email a recruiter with your questions concerning the hiring process.
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