In a heartfelt ceremony, Utah Tech University recently honored 19 cadets who graduated from its Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Academy. The celebration marked the culmination of months of hard work, commitment, and discipline as the cadets completed both Special Function Officer (SFO) and Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) training.
Held on April 19, the event recognized the graduates of the Law Enforcement Officer class, each of whom completed an intense journey that tested not only their knowledge but also their physical and mental resilience.
“Cadets are trained in a wide range of critical areas, including traffic accident investigation, DUI and intoxication protocols, radar use, Utah law, defensive tactics, physical fitness, report writing, drug recognition, and more,” Sarah Strickley, support specialist at Utah Tech University, said. “Their commitment to the profession and public service is commendable. At our academy, we are proud to provide professional training, leadership, and certification that uphold the highest standards and integrity in law enforcement, working to protect the rights and privileges of Utah’s citizens.”
The POST Academy at Utah Tech, a satellite of the main Utah POST located in Sandy, plays a vital role in preparing officers for careers throughout Southern Utah. With its rigorous standards and high expectations, the academy emphasizes integrity, leadership, and service—core values that each cadet carries forward into their new roles.
The path to graduation was anything but easy. Cadets first completed 14–16 weeks of SFO training, tackling evening classes Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. After a brief break, they returned to complete another 16 weeks of LEO training under the same demanding schedule. In total, each cadet logged over 650 hours of specialized training, including 260 classroom hours for SFO and 392 hours for LEO certification.
For many cadets, the graduation ceremony was more than a celebration—it was the beginning of their law enforcement careers. Several graduates had already secured positions with local police departments and proudly wore their new uniforms as they crossed the stage.
Becoming a peace officer in Utah requires candidates to be at least 21 years old, be a U.S. citizen, and successfully pass a background investigation. Utah Tech now offers two POST academies, expanding access to professional training across the region.
To learn more about the POST Academy at Utah Tech University or to apply, visit post.utahtech.edu.
