Police Officer in Training

Effective 2/25/2026 - To be considered, applicants must provide proof of having passed the NPOST exam (with a minimum score of 70%).

If selected, sponsorship in the LEO Certification course offered through POST is provided. Individuals who are currently enrolled and/or self-sponsoring in POST may be eligible for tuition reimbursement.

Upon successful completion of Law Enforcement Officer certification, Police Officer in Training will be promoted to Police Officer I.

SUMMARY

A Police Officer in Training will attend and successfully complete the Utah POST Academy. Once completed, a Police Officer in Training will be promoted to a Police Officer I, who under general supervision, will perform a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of laws and the prevention of crimes; will conduct and participate in general investigations of crimes, accidents, and criminal cases; will control traffic flow and enforce state and local traffic regulations; will serve in various law enforcement assignments, and will perform a variety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Department.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Attend, participate and successfully complete a P.O.S.T. certified police training academy and pass all required classes, scenarios, physical training and other assigned duties and tasks.
• Perform rigorous physical training.
• Learn the use and care of firearms, chemical agents, and other weapons.
• Learn to drive a motor vehicle under normal and emergency conditions safely.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Learn to demonstrate command presence in conflict situations.
• Speak clearly and learn standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system.
• Learn to write clear, comprehensive, and accurate reports, legibly and with correct grammar and spelling.
• Learn to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of employment; learn principles and practices of effective interpersonal communication and good customer service.
• Learn to understand, interpret, and apply criminal and civil laws, court decisions, regulations, policies, and procedures with particular reference to the laws of arrest, use of force, custody, search and seizure, juvenile laws and procedures, property crimes, crimes against persons, crimes against children, sex crimes, domestic violence, missing persons, weapons violations, alcohol, and controlled substances.
• Learn and implement police methods and procedures including patrol techniques, vehicle stops, response to crimes in progress, apprehension of suspects, defensive tactics, traffic enforcement, control and collision investigation, crowd control, and gang and terrorism awareness.
• Learn and implement crime scene management, forensics, collection, preservation, and presentation of evidence; identification techniques; interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Learn first aid, CPR, hazardous materials awareness, emergency management, and the Incident Command System.
• Learn the community policing philosophy, crime prevention, victimology/crisis Intervention, cultural diversity/discrimination.
• Learn to use modern law enforcement equipment, communications devices, computers, and information systems.
• Upon successful completion of academy instruction and graduation, the employee receives further training, as a sworn Police Officer in the Field Training Officer Program and is responsible for performing related duties as required.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Functions and objectives of federal, state, and other local law enforcement agencies.
• Basic principles of criminal law.
• Principles and practices of community policing.
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill with:

• Learn to operate firearms and other modern police equipment.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

• Learn modern police methods and procedures related to patrol, apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, traffic control, and investigation and identification techniques.
• Learn modern investigative methods including interviewing and interrogation techniques.
• Learn law enforcement theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs.
• Learn local geography, city streets, public buildings, and businesses.
• Learn recent court decisions and how they affect department and division operations.
• Learn self-defense tactics.
• Learn, properly interpret, and make decisions in accordance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations particularly with reference to apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, evidence, and records maintenance, and traffic control.
• Learn to gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence.
• Learn, interpret, and explain city and department policies and procedures.
• Observe accurately and remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Meet and interact with the public tactfully and effectively.
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to perform the assigned duties safely and effectively.
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must be at least 21 years of age on date offer of employment is extended.

Education: High school diploma or GED. Two years of college is desirable.

Experience: No experience required.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Utah Driver's License.
• Ability to obtain POST Basic Law Enforcement Certification by the completion of the POST certification training.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift 75% of body weight; exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations; availability for shift work.

Due to the nature of this position, the incumbent places his or her life and personal safety at risk.