Position Title:
Entry Level Police Officer (May 2027 Academy)
Job Description:
Incumbents perform duties that consist primarily of actively preventing or detecting crime, providing security, community protection, and enforcement of criminal statutes or ordinances. Responds to situations involving threats to public safety and makes emergency decisions affecting the lives and health of others, including in circumstances and at times when personal life or personal safety may be at risk.
Anticipated Police Academy Start: May 2027
- Anticipated Academy Start subject to change according to department needs
Anticipated Application Close: Early October 2026
- Application close date subject to change according to department needs
To qualify, you must:
Have a high school diploma,
Be 21 years of age by the time you’re certified as a law enforcement officer,
Be either a U.S. Citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States with five years of legal U.S. residency, and
Have NPOST results with a score of 70% or higher in each of the four categories. NPOST scores will be recorded at the time of the physical agility test. You must have passing scores at that time to continue in the hiring process, otherwise you will be asked to re-apply.
NOTE FOR APPLICANTS REGARDING SLCPD TATTOO POLICY
Employees are permitted to display tattoos and body art on their hands, arms, and legs when they do not distract or interfere with the employee's on-duty actions and responsibilities. Employees are not permitted to display tattoos that are located on the neck above the collarbone, the face, or head; an exception to this would be cosmetic micro-blading tattoos. Tattoos that are found to be offensive, obscene, vulgar, depict graphic nudity, or are prejudicial to any segment of the population are strictly prohibited. Any tattoos that may potentially bring discredit upon the Salt Lake City Police Department are also prohibited. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the Office of the Chief.
*see additional information about minimum requirements below*
Living out of state? Find out more below.
Why SLCPD?
We pay for your Utah POST SFO and LEO certification! All training is done in-house by our POST-certified instructors.
Get paid while you attend the academy! You’ll start receiving your regular pay and credit towards retirement while in training.
Receive full City benefits starting day one! That includes health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and a variety of discounted supplemental benefits like pet insurance and legal services. Read more about our benefits here: https://www.slc.gov/hr/benefits-and-wellness/.
All your equipment is provided to you! Everything from take-home vehicles (after training) and uniforms to handcuffs and body cams is included and paid for by the department to ensure you’re fully equipped for success.
Enjoy competitive pay incentives! Whether it’s your regular merit increases, career path incentive pay for your bachelor's degree, or overtime opportunities, SLCPD has plenty of opportunities to increase your earning potential.
Pay starts at $36.69 per hour. The full pay scale can be found below.
Disqualifying conditions and legal requirements can be found here: https://post.utah.gov/prospective-officers/qualifications/ and here: https://post.utah.gov/prospective-officers/legal-requirements/.
Tips for success:
Get your NPOST done early! It can take a long time to get in to take the test, then to receive the results. You’ll need to have your results at the time of your physical agility test. If you don’t have your results you’ll be turned away from the physical agility test! You can find testing locations and information here: http://www.slcdocs.com/HR/Hire/NPOST_TestingInformation.pdf.
It’s never too early to start preparing for the physical agility test. The bulk of those that don’t pass the test fall behind on the run. Applicants who don’t pass the physical agility test will be invited to reapply for the next academy. Details about what’s involved in the physical agility test can be found here: https://police.slc.gov/careers/joinourteam/physical-agility-test/.
Oral board interviews are held immediately after the physical agility tests. You’re welcome to change into professional interview attire, but we don’t expect it. Brush up on your interview skills and consider what makes you the best fit for the department and the position.
What you can expect from the process:
Becoming a police officer is a long process. Depending on when you apply, it could take approximately 5-8 months from the day you apply to the day you start. You may not hear from us for a while; know that we’ll always update you when there’s a change in your application status or when we need something from you.
SLCPD has a team of recruiters that are current officers in our department. They have volunteered to be a part of this team in addition to their regular duties because they believe in our mission and are active participants in making our organization the "tip of the spear" of law enforcement in the State of Utah. You can expect to be contacted by one of them during the hiring process so they can answer your questions about our agency and let you know why SLCPD is the standout among Utah's other fantastic police departments.
Out of state applicants:
Out-of-state applicants are welcome to apply! We’ll work with you to minimize the number of trips you’ll need to take to Salt Lake City during the hiring process.
You’ll need to visit Salt Lake City at least twice: Once to take the physical agility test, then again to complete the in-person components of the background investigation, such as the truth verification exam, the psychological evaluation, and the executive interview. Your second visit will be condensed to a three-to-four-day period.
SLCPD currently does not offer travel reimbursement for prospective out-of-state applicants.
TYPICAL DUTIES:
Suppresses crime through identification and apprehension of criminals and recovery of stolen property.
Regulates non-criminal conduct, such as traffic control, crowd control, and social relations.
Compiles and prepares required information and evidence to assist in prosecution of criminal cases. Testifies as a witness and renders credible testimonies in a court of law.
Reports to scene of accidents and investigates causes and results of accidents.
Responds to robbery and burglary alarms and other misdemeanor and felony crimes, which may necessitate the exertion of extraordinary physical effort and the use of initiative and common sense.
Secures the scene of crime, conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witnesses, and makes arrests.
Makes investigations of vice and narcotics activities, identifies and recovers stolen property, investigates reports of stolen automobiles and property stolen from automobiles, conducts investigations of homicides and thefts, conducts special investigations for other law enforcement agencies, investigates all complaints on checks and forgeries, investigates complaints of crimes committed by juveniles. May work undercover in performing these functions to obtain evidence to be used in the arrest and conviction of guilty parties.
Maintains knowledge of criminal and civil law, and police techniques and tactics.
Attends regular training classes in police methods.
Provides peripheral services such as giving information, directions, advice and general assistance to the public whenever necessary.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
This position requires operation of a city owned vehicle as part of regularly assigned duties. Candidates will be subject to a motor vehicle records check as part of the hiring/onboarding process.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or equivalent.
Graduation from the Utah Police Officers Standards and Training (POST) Academy with P.O.S.T. certification as a Law Enforcement Officer is required within one (1) year of hire.
Must be either a U.S. Citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States who has been in the United States legally for the five years immediately before the day on which the application is made; and has legal authorization to work in the United States as of the date of the first examination.
Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of certification as a law enforcement officer.
Considerable human relations skills and communications skills.
Ability to work independently, make critical decisions, and use initiative and common sense.
Must be able to render credible testimony in a court of law.
Must have valid state driver’s license or Utah driving privilege card (or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment).
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Moderately heavy physical activity. Required to push, pull or lift medium heavy weights. Difficult working positions. Must stand, walk or sit uncomfortably for extended periods. Moderate exposure to elements such as heat, cold, dampness, fumes, noise, dust or grease. Exposure to hostile, life-threatening situations. May be required to use physical force to include deadly force in course of assigned duties.
Considerable exposure to stressful situations as a result of human behavior. In field operations, exposure to stress as well as occupational hazards is of considerable magnitude.
Required to work irregular hours in addition to regularly scheduled shift on an as needed basis.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
POSITION TYPE
Full-Time
POSITION SALARY RANGE
Entry $36.69
2 Year $38.89
4 Year $41.23
6 Year $43.71
8 Year $46.32
10 Year $49.10
12 Year $52.05
DEPARTMENT
Police
Full Time/Part Time:
Full time
Scheduled Hours:
40
