Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SANDY — The Utah Highway Patrol is looking to hire 100 new troopers, and on Saturday took to the 2018 Utah International Auto Expo to recruit prospective candidates.
The agency presented its vintage patrol car at the expo while troopers took advantage to talk to interested parties about job opportunities.
“We want to hire a lot of good people and we need some help,” said UHP Cpl. Jayson McCleve.
The combination of a growing state population and the crackdown in Salt Lake City’s embattled Rio Grande neighborhood has led to an increased need for more UHP manpower. The trick is finding those who can and want to do the job, McCleve said.
“These days it’s hard to get people to want to be in law enforcement,” he said. “I don’t (know if) it’s the anti-police climate. … I’m glad there’s people who still want to do it, and we want them to come work with us.”
McCleve understands some people might be concerned about the danger element that comes with being a trooper.
“It’s no different than any other job,” he said. “I did construction for a while before this, and you can get hurt doing construction. But like anything else we teach you to do it the right way, and make it as safe as we possibly can.”
UHP trooper eligibility requirements are as follows:
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- Age 21 and over
- U.S. citizen
- A background demonstrating good moral character
