[cityslicker5413]

Hi, I am new here. My wife and I have moved to St. George, Utah from Las Vegas NV. I wanting to become a Police Officer here in the state of Utah. It can be anywere! I know that you have to take POST here for the state of Utah. But, who pays for it? Do you? or the Police Dept.? Is there any tranning books or tips for POST and even the test for the Police Dept.? If you have any helpful hits and push me along my path, that would be GREAT!

Thank you,

Nick

 

[Hunter]

What questions do you have?

 

[TMG]

cityslilcker,

There are a couple of ways:
Self Sponsored - You pay for everything, including clothing, gun, ammo, gear, etc. If you go through the full time class, it will take about 3-4 months to complete. And the fgull time class is held at POST in Salt Lake County.
If you go through one of the satellite Academies (I think there is one in St. George) it will take just under a year to complete; The first block is 3 months, the second block is about 6-7 months.
In all , I think you're looking at a 6-7k cost total.

The second way - Get hired by a department and have them send you through POST. Then they will cover expenses. Not many departments will do this anymore. Most look for candidates that are already POST certified. However, there are some that still do it.

My suggestion is decide what area of Utah you would prefer to work/ Live in, then research the departments in that area. In the mean time, do a ride-a-long in St. George and ask them about becoming an LEO.

As far as books, there's not much need to study for on going through POST. There are, however, several books about police testing. Go to the local library. They should have plenty of good ones you can check out.

Good luck

 

[Guest]

I have heard that the state prisons many times will cover your academy expenses and in return you spend a predetermined amount of time as a prison guard. I have a friend that went this route.

 

[6av457]

The Utah Department of Corrections will pay you while attending post as well as pay for the training you are required to fullfil a two year contract.

ps we don't like the term GUARD...we are Law Enforcement Officers- I work the Prison and the street and the only difference in the prison is I dont carry inside.

 

[6av457]

go to www.statejobs.utah.gov and it will explain the requirments and testing/application process. It is a very effective stepping stone to get through post. Its aslo a very rewarding carreer. there are some officers that decide to stay with the Department because they didn't like to work traffic

 

[xmirage2kx]

Basically in Utah you pay the fee and run a lot. After that you get hired on and eat enough doughnuts that you get winded just getting out of your car. :lolbang:

I am just KIDDING, at least on the 2nd part. You are basically SOL when it comes to getting sponsored in Utah unless you have family working as a PD somewhere. If you volunteer as a reserve for a couple years you may also have a chance. Otherwise you are stuck paying for the school (if you do the POST in SLC it is like having a full time job and almost impossible to hold a job at the same time, if you do it at a school its every night + Saturday for about a year)
OR get a job out of state as a cop and transfer in after a year or 2.

 

[apollosmith]

OR get a job out of state as a cop and transfer in after a year or 2.

+1

And not to burst your bubble, but your old home of Las Vegas is hiring 600 LEO's a year, will pay for your training, is currently offering hiring bonuses, and the starting pay isn't half bad (well, it's much better than Utah, but you do have to live in Vegas and deal with their crime problem).

 

[ScottyT]

+1

And not to burst your bubble, but your old home of Las Vegas is hiring 600 LEO's a year, will pay for your training, is currently offering hiring bonuses, and the starting pay isn't half bad (well, it's much better than Utah, but you do have to live in Vegas and deal with their crime problem).

Dont tempt me like that! I love the desert so much!

I have been asking the SL County Sherrif's office about POST and becoming a deputy. Since I can't really afford to put myself through post right now, I have been seriously considering the Corrections Officer route.