Utah Police Academy Requirements

Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. The Utah police academy requirements are intended to set a high standard for potential officers. Below are all the requirements and disqualifying factors. Be aware that there is a lot of competition for police jobs so going above the minimum requirements is advised. Utah police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

Age Requirement

Utah police academy age requirements state that applicants must be a minimum 21 years of age. Applicants may complete an application and proceed in the hiring process at 20.5 years of age if they will be 21 by the starting date of the next academy class.

Residency and Citizenship Requirement

Applicants must be a resident of Utah and possess a valid Utah driver’s license upon appointment as a State Police Cadet.

Applicants must be a United States citizen at the time of initial application.

Educational Requirement

Utah Police Academy requirements for education state that the applicants must possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) time of application. Correspondence or mail-order high school diplomas are not accepted.

*All military veterans must have an HONORABLE DISCHARGE documented by a DD-214.

Automatic Disqualification Factors

Applicants are advised that the Utah State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed below.  In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:

• Falsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information during the completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, the Polygraph Examination, the Formal Application for Employment, and any other documents/processes associated with the Cadet Selection Procedures.
• Substance abuse/use within a prescribed time frame and/or that is beyond what is considered experimental by the Utah State Police.
• Criminal arrests/behavior which would not reflect well on the Utah State Police.

The core purpose of the Utah State Police is to seek justice, preserve peace, and improve the quality of life for all.  As such, the Department has established the core values of Honor, Service, Integrity, Respect, Trust, Courage, and Duty, and is seeking applicants who possess these traits and conduct themselves accordingly.  Certain issues within a person’s background have been identified which will result in automatic disqualification, including but not limited to:  criminal conduct (actual arrest and/or admission of behavior whether or not arrested) and substance abuse.

A preliminary determination will be made by the Utah State Police based upon information supplied; therefore, applicants must be forthright and honest in documenting their conduct.  Be advised that this preliminary determination is not binding as it is made based upon information provided by the applicant only.  Should an applicant continue in the selection process, the conduct will then be discussed and documented with a Utah State Police Officer.

Applicants are advised that all information provided to the Utah State Police is to contain no misrepresentation, falsification, omissions, or concealment of material fact and that, upon submission of any official document (on-line or otherwise), applicants swear or affirm that all information provided is true, complete, and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.  Applicants are further advised that all information provided is subject to later investigation.

Physical Abilities Test

PHYSICAL TRAINING

You are required to pass each of the four events to be admitted into the Police Academy. For your information, and to help you prepare for the test, the following instructions are included for each event. (Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.)

The procedure and order for testing is recommended as follows:

1. Warm up for 3 minutes; perform the Vertical Jump test and rest for 2 minutes.
2. Perform the One Minute Sit Up test and rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Perform the 300 Meter Run, then rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Perform the Maximum Push Up test, then rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Do the cardio-warm up for 2 to 3 minutes, then perform the 1.5 Mile Run and cardio-cool down for 5 minutes.

Physical Training Entrance Requirements

1.5 Mile Run: 16 minutes 11 seconds

A measure of cardiovascular endurance or aerobic power. It is almost an identical test to the 12-minute run test, only instead of distance the subject runs for time.

1. Have subjects warm up
2. Subjects should be instructed to cover the distance as fast as possible
3. At the command “GO” time is started.
4. Score is time to run the course
5. A cool down is required after running

Push Ups: 14 Repetitions

This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the upper body extensor. It is important for use of force involving pushing motion. The score is the number of push-ups completed.

1. The subject starts in front, lean and rest position. Hands are shoulder width apart, feet are 3″ apart or less.
2. The subject lowers self until the elbows lock out with the upper arm parallel to the ground in the down position.
3. The back must be kept straight at all times
4. The subject can rest in the up position

Vertical Jump: 14.5 inches

This is a measure of jumping or explosive power. It is an important area for pursuit tasks that require jumping and vaulting.

1. Subject stands flat footed with one side toward the wall and reaches up as high as possible to make his/her standard reach
2. Subject jumps as high as possible and marks the spot on the wall above his/her standard reach mark
3. Score is the inches to the nearest ½ inch
4. The best of three trials is the score

Sit-Up: 23 repetitions within 1 minute

This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles. It is an important area for performing tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems. The score is in the number if sit-ups completed. This test should be performed on a mat or carpet surface.

1. The subject starts by lying on his back, knees bent, heels flat on the floor. Hands are behind the head but not interlaced
2. A partner hold the feet down
3. The subject then performs as many correct sit-ups as possible in one minute.
4. In the up position, the individual should touch his elbows to his knees or upper legs and then return to a full lying position before starting the next sit up
5. The subject should not raise the buttocks from the ground and when returning to the down position the shoulder blades should touch the ground.
6. Score is total number of correct sit-ups in 1 minute

Physical Training Exit Requirements.

1.5 Mile Run: 14 minutes 46 seconds

A measure of cardiovascular endurance, or aerobic power. It is almost an identical test to the 12-minute run test, only instead of distance the subject runs for time.

1. Have subjects warm up
2. Subjects should be instructed to cover the distance as fast as possible
3. At the command “GO” time is started.
4. Score is time to run the course
5. A cool down is required after running

Push Ups: 21 Repetitions

This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the upper body extensor. It is important for use of force involving pushing motion. The score is the number of push-ups completed.

1. The subject starts in front, lean and rest position. Hands are shoulder width apart, feet are 3″ apart or less.
2. The subject lowers self until the elbows lock out with the upper arm parallel to the ground in the down position.
3. The back must be kept straight at all times
4. The subject can rest in the up position

Vertical Jump: 17.5 inches

This is a measure of jumping or explosive power. It is an important area for pursuit tasks that require jumping and vaulting.

1. Subject stands flat footed with one side toward the wall and reaches up as high as possible to make his/her standard reach
2. Subject jumps as high as possible and marks the spot on the wall above his/her standard reach mark
3. Score is the inches to the nearest ½ inch
4. The best of three trials is the score

Sit-Up: (29 Repetitions within 1 minute)

This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles. It is an important area for performing tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area of maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems. The score is in the number if sit-ups completed. This test should be performed on a mat of carpet surface.

1. The subject starts by lying on his back, knees bent, heels flat on the floor. Hands are behind the head but not interlaced
2. A partner hold the feet down
3. The subject then performs as many correct sit-ups as possible in one minute.
4. In the up position, the individual should touch his elbows to his knees or upper legs and then return to a full lying position before starting the next sit up
5. The subject should not raise the buttocks form the ground and when returning to the down position the shoulder blades should touch the ground.
6. Score is total number of correct sit-ups in 1 minute

300 Meters: 64 Seconds

This test measures anaerobic power and sprinting ability

1. Subject runs 300 meters at maximal level of effort. Time to complete distance is recorded
2. Subject should walk for 3-4 minutes immediately following test to cool down. This is an important safety practice.

URMMA Standards

The following test standards have been scientifically validated as job related by Thomas & Means and Associates through a study conducted for URMMA in 1998 and 1999. There are five (5) physical fitness tests that will be given in one day as a battery of tests as follows:

1) 1.5 Mile Run: 15 minutes 54 seconds

This measures aerobic power of cardiovascular endurance (the ability to sustain exertion over time). The test consists of running/walking as fast as safely possible the distance of 1.5 miles.

2) 1 Repetition Maximum (RM) Bench Press: 75% of your body weight

This measures the absolute strength of the upper body. The test consists of lying on a bench and pushing up as much weight as possible, one time.

3) Maximum Push Up: 25 repetitions

This measures the muscular endurance of the upper body. The test consists of doing as many push ups as possible, from the front, lean and rest position with no time limit.

4) Sit Up: 35 in one minute

This measures the abdominal or trunk muscular endurance. The test consists of lying on the ground and doing as many bent leg sit ups as possible in 1 minute.

5) Vertical Jump: 16 inches

This measures leg power. The test consists of jumping beside a wall and marking how high the sworn officer can jump from a standing position. Each test is scored separately and sworn officers must meet the standard on each test.

 
* NOTE:

The eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time.