*MEDIA ADVISORY* Utah Chiefs of Police Association Press Conference Announcing Career Day, Kick-off to Statewide Recruitment Campaign

SANDY — The Utah Chiefs of Police Association (UCOPA) will host a press conference in partnership with local and state law enforcement agencies, and state legislature to announce the launch of Find Yourself in Utah a long-term campaign aimed at increasing entry-level and mid-career recruitment in the law enforcement profession statewide.

The press conference will also announce the first-ever Find Yourself in Utah Law Enforcement Career Day, which is expected to draw up to 1,000 high school and college students on April 30, introducing them to the many opportunities and benefits offered by a career in law enforcement in the State of Utah. 

PRESS CONFERENCE DATE AND TIME:

Tuesday, April 8 at 11 a.m. 

LOCATION:

Peace Officer Standards and Training

Memorial Room

410 W 9800 South

Sandy, UT 84070

SPEAKERS:

  • Utah Chiefs of Police Association (UCOPA) President Chief Brad Bishop, Payson City Police
  • Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera
  • Utah Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Colonel Michael Rapich 
  • Tom Ross, Executive Director of the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ)  for the State of Utah
  • Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd

DETAILS: 

UCOPA is hosting the press conference April 8 to launch the Find Yourself in Utah Campaign and its first signature event, the April 30 Find Yourself in Utah Law Enforcement Career Day that is open to the public and those interested in pursuing a career in policing. 

Find Yourself in Utah is calling to young men and women in Utah and to people across America to look to Utah and consider the profession of law enforcement — and its many roles for civilian and sworn personnel including: patrol, corrections, highway patrol, school resource officers, public safety, crime analysts, K9 handlers, drone pilots, dispatchers and mental health co-responders.

The campaign is focused on recruiting the next generation of law enforcement professionals, while showcasing everything that Utah has to offer individuals and families. 

The press conference will feature speakers from across Utah Law Enforcement Agencies, and State government, who will discuss the new campaign and highlight the benefits of a law enforcement career in Utah.

Speakers will also discuss the Find Yourself in Utah Law Enforcement Career Day. Career Day will feature more than 35 law enforcement agencies across the state that will provide information, unit demonstrations, and opportunities to network with personnel in an effort to connect with individuals and students interested in a career in policing and public safety. College and high school students studying criminal justice or who have a passion for law enforcement are encouraged to attend. 

This career day event is an opportunity to hear from agencies across the state about the importance of maintaining and recruiting qualified individuals and helping the next generation of individuals find their purpose and career in Utah.  The event will feature:

  • SWAT Team demonstrations
  • K9 search and rescue
  • Drone operation
  • Crime scene analysis/CSI
  • Hands-on displays including patrol cars, all-terrain vehicles, and police e-bikes
  • Police motorcycle demonstrations
  • Utah Highway Patrol helicopter on-site
  • Face-to-face networking with recruiters, chiefs and supervisors from dozens of agencies statewide

The campaign is funded by a state grant funded by the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice.

UCOPA estimates agencies will need to fill 1,000 open positions in the next five years, including local police and sheriff’s departments, corrections, Highway Patrol, and campus and hospital police. Many of Utah’s police departments are currently short-staffed vacant positions can compromise response times and overall community safety.

The “Find Yourself in Utah” campaign seeks to:

  • Provide a strong candidate pool of men and women to departments seeking to fill civilian and sworn career openings
  • Make it easy for prospective candidates to find career pathways, job postings, learn about benefits and study training opportunities
  • Spotlight Utah as a positive place to live, work and raise a family
  • Share specialized professional benefits and incentives
  • Create a single statewide jobs board for all law enforcement career opportunities

As part of the campaign, UCOPA has launched a website to highlight opportunities and benefits of a career in Utah law enforcement. Those interested in pursuing a career in public safety career can learn about employment standards, view openings and register to be contacted by agency recruiters.

About the Utah Chiefs of Police Association

UCOPA represents chiefs of police across Utah, supports the professional advancement of law enforcement, promotes friendship and understanding among Utah chiefs and their departments, and advocates or opposes legislation affecting law enforcement.

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