NEW HIRE applications are being accepted for consideration for our July 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:

  1. Graduation from high school or possession of GED certificate.
  2. Must be a U.S. Citizen on/by the date of the first examination.
  3. Must be at least 21 years of age by the date the SFO test is administered in the academy.
  4. 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.
  5. Graduation from Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy within six (6) months of hire.
  6. Considerable human relations and communications skills.
  7. Ability to work independently, make critical decisions, and use initiative and common sense.
  8. 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.
Level2

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.

The Hiring Process

Applications submitted now would be for our next academy class, which is anticipated to begin in July 2022.

Hiring needs can change rapidly, so the hiring window could change.

PHASE 1
Application

All interested candidates must complete and submit an online application and a copy of their resume to be eligible. You DO NOT need to take the NPOST test, it is no longer required.

If a candidate does not have computer access, he/she may go to SLC Human Resources located in the City and County Building at 451 South State Street, Suite 115, Salt Lake City, for assistance. Applications turned in after the designated application deadline will not be accepted.

Apply Here
PHASE 2
Physical Agility Test, Written Exam, and Prescreen

On the day of the physical agility test, candidates are required to present the following at check-in at the examination site:

- Photo identification that displays date of birth (i.e. driver license, passport, or military I.D. card)
- Release of Information Form
- Background Personal History Questionnaire
- DD-214 (if applicable)
- Any additional background documents

The physical agility test consists of the following four exercises: push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, and a mile and a half (1.5) run. Physical agility examination results from any other jurisdiction cannot be substituted for Salt Lake City Police Department’s physical agility test for Police Officer.

The multiple-choice exam is designed to measure each candidate’s proficiency in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure specific to the English language. The exam will also help determine which candidates possess skills to effectively work with the public and other members of the department. The written exam scores may be used to determine a cutoff or pass rate, and the department will consider the natural break, adverse impacts and departmental need. The written exam will identify a candidate that closely matches the needs of the Department. The written exam is primarily intended as a hurdle exam to advance those candidates to the next phase of the process.

Candidates reaching this phase will be notified of the event date, time, and location.

Click Here for Physical Agility Test Details

PHASE 3
Oral Board Interview

The top ranked candidates passing a preliminary background investigation will be required to participate in the Oral Board Interview. Candidates will be asked a series of interview questions.

PHASE 4
Ranking and ESOPH

PHASE 5
Background Investigation

The top candidates after the interview will be required to undergo an extensive background investigation. The investigation may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • employment history
  • driving history
  • arrest and conviction record
  • financial responsibility
  • Interviews with family members, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, and friends

PHASE 6
Computer Voice Stress Analysis
and Psychological Evaluation

The top ranked candidates after the oral board interview will be invited to complete a Computer Voice Stress Analysis. This instrument is used for truth verifcation, which measures "micro tremors" in the voice, then provides the examiner a visual chart, which is interpreted as deceptive or non-deceptive. The examination uses only a microphone and no wires are attached to the subject.

The top candidates passing the Background Investigation will be required to complete and pass a thorough psychological examination and evaluation. It is important to note that the examination is not designated to measure mental health.

PHASE 7
Chief's Interview and Medical Exam

The top candidates who have successfully advanced after each of the above hurdles in the recruitment process will be contacted by phone and invited to interview with the Police Chief.

Candidates must successfully complete and pass a thorough medical examination, including a drug screen. Physicians who perform the medical examination consider the severity of any problem in making the pass/fail decision.

Why work for
Salt Lake City.

Wages

Benefits

FAQs

The Hiring Process

Applications submitted now would be for our next academy class, which is projected to begin around July 2022.

Hiring needs can change rapidly, so the hiring window could change.

PHASE 1
Application

All interested candidates must complete and submit an online application and a copy of their resume to be eligible. You DO NOT need to take the NPOST test, it is no longer required.

If a candidate does not have computer access, he/she may go to SLC Human Resources located in the City and County Building at 451 South State Street, Suite 115, Salt Lake City, for assistance. Applications turned in after the designated application deadline will not be accepted.

Apply Here
PHASE 2
Physical Agility Test, Written Exam, and Prescreen

On the day of the physical agility test, candidates are required to present the following at check-in at the examination site:

- Photo identification that displays date of birth (i.e. driver license, passport, or military I.D. card)
- Release of Information Form
- Background Personal History Questionnaire
- DD-214 (if applicable)
- Any additional background documents

The physical agility test consists of the following four exercises: push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, and a mile and a half (1.5) run. Physical agility examination results from any other jurisdiction cannot be substituted for Salt Lake City Police Department’s physical agility test for Police Officer.

The multiple-choice exam is designed to measure each candidate’s proficiency in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure specific to the English language. The exam will also help determine which candidates possess skills to effectively work with the public and other members of the department. The written exam scores may be used to determine a cutoff or pass rate, and the department will consider the natural break, adverse impacts and departmental need. The written exam will identify a candidate that closely matches the needs of the Department. The written exam is primarily intended as a hurdle exam to advance those candidates to the next phase of the process.

Candidates reaching this phase will be notified of the event date, time, and location.

Click Here for Physical Agility Test Details

PHASE 3
Oral Board Interview

The top ranked candidates passing a preliminary background investigation will be required to participate in the Oral Board Interview. Candidates will be asked a series of interview questions.

PHASE 4
Ranking and ESOPH

PHASE 5
Background Investigation

The top candidates after the interview will be required to undergo an extensive background investigation. The investigation may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • employment history
  • driving history
  • arrest and conviction record
  • financial responsibility
  • Interviews with family members, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, and friends

PHASE 6
Computer Voice Stress Analysis
and Psychological Evaluation

The top ranked candidates after the oral board interview will be invited to complete a Computer Voice Stress Analysis. This instrument is used for truth verifcation, which measures "micro tremors" in the voice, then provides the examiner a visual chart, which is interpreted as deceptive or non-deceptive. The examination uses only a microphone and no wires are attached to the subject.

The top candidates passing the Background Investigation will be required to complete and pass a thorough psychological examination and evaluation. It is important to note that the examination is not designated to measure mental health.

PHASE 7
Chief's Interview and Medical Exam

The top candidates who have successfully advanced after each of the above hurdles in the recruitment process will be contacted by phone and invited to interview with the Police Chief.

Candidates must successfully complete and pass a thorough medical examination, including a drug screen. Physicians who perform the medical examination consider the severity of any problem in making the pass/fail decision.

Why work for
Salt Lake City.

Wages

Benefits

FAQs

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