NEW HIRE applications now being accepted.
Application deadline for the January 2026 academy is April 8, 2025, at 12:00 am MDT.
The academy start date is based on staffing needs and could change.

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. Passing NPOST results will be required at the time of application and must be uploaded to your online application. Please note it could take up to four weeks to receive your test results in the mail. NPOST testing locations and further details regarding the test can be found here: http://www.slcdocs.com/HR/Hire/NPOST_TestingInformation.pdf.
  2. Graduation from high school or possession of GED certificate.
  3. Must be either a U.S. Citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least five years and have legal authorization to work in the United States as of the date of the first examination.
  4. Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of certification as a law enforcement officer.
  5. Successful completion of the examination process which may include a physical agility test, written communication exercise, written examination, oral board interview, background investigation, truth verification exam, psychological examination and evaluation, interview, and medical examination and drug screen.
  6. Graduation from Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy within six (6) months of hire.
  7. Considerable human relations and communications skills.
  8. Ability to work independently, make critical decisions, and use initiative and common sense.
  9. Must have valid Utah Driver License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.

New Lateral Police Officers
will receive $8,500!

Click Here for Lateral Hire Requirements and Process

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
  • Training Division
  • Motor Squad
  • Bike Patrol
  • Bomb Squad
  • Detective Division
  • Gang Unit
  • Homicide Unit
  • Intelligence Division
  • K9 Squad
  • Narcotics Task Force
  • SWAT Team

recruitment@slc.gov

Email a recruiter with your questions concerning the hiring process.

The Hiring Process

NEW HIRE applications now being accepted. 

Hiring dates are based on department staffing needs, so academy dates could change.

Apply Here

PHASE 1
Application

All interested candidates must complete and submit an online application and a copy of their resume to be eligible prior to the closing date. Passing NPOST results will be required at the time of application and must be uploaded to your online application. Please note it could take up to four weeks to receive your test results in the mail.

If a candidate does not have computer access, they may schedule an appointment by emailing careers@slcgov.com. Candidates may also visit public libraries for computer access.

PHASE 2
Physical Agility Test

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

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)

The physical agility test consists of the following four exercises: push-ups, plank, 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.

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
Background Investigation
and Truth Verification Examination

The top candidates after the interview will be required to undergo an extensive background investigation. The Background Investigation may include, but is not limited to, the following: employment history, Internal Affairs history, driving history, drug history, arrest and conviction record, financial responsibility, and interviews with family members, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, and friends.

Participation in a Truth Verification Examination is required as part of the Background Investigation. The instruments are used to measure minor physiological changes in the subject and provide visual results which may be interpreted as deceptive or non-deceptive. The examinations may use microphones, sensors, cameras, and no wires are attached to the subject.

PHASE 5
Psychological Examination
and Evaluation

The top candidates passing the Background Investigation and Truth Verification Examination 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 6
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.

The Police Chief will consider all conclusions of the above exam modules along with other information collected during the recruitment process prior to extending a conditional offer of employment.

 

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment 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

NEW HIRE applications now being accepted. 

Hiring dates are based on department staffing needs, so academy dates could change.

Apply Here

PHASE 1
Application

All interested candidates must complete and submit an online application and a copy of their resume to be eligible prior to the closing date. Passing NPOST results will be required at the time of application and must be uploaded to your online application. Please note it could take up to four weeks to receive your test results in the mail.

If a candidate does not have computer access, they may schedule an appointment by emailing careers@slcgov.com. Candidates may also visit public libraries for computer access.

PHASE 2 Physical Agility Test

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

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)

The physical agility test consists of the following four exercises: push-ups, plank, 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.

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
Background Investigation
and Truth Verification Examination

The top candidates after the interview will be required to undergo an extensive background investigation. The Background Investigation may include, but is not limited to, the following: employment history, Internal Affairs history, driving history, drug history, arrest and conviction record, financial responsibility, and interviews with family members, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, and friends.

Participation in a Truth Verification Examination is required as part of the Background Investigation. The instruments are used to measure minor physiological changes in the subject and provide visual results which may be interpreted as deceptive or non-deceptive. The examinations may use microphones, sensors, cameras, and no wires are attached to the subject.

PHASE 5
Psychological Examination
and Evaluation

The top candidates passing the Background Investigation and Truth Verification Examination 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 6
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.

The Police Chief will consider all conclusions of the above exam modules along with other information collected during the recruitment process prior to extending a conditional offer of employment.

 

Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment 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