DPS NEWS

POST Session #342 Graduation

On Thursday, May 22nd, DPS’ Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)’ Law Enforcement Academy held graduation exercises for Law Enforcement Officer Session #342. The class’s motto was “Three Forty Two – Back the Blue!”

Thirty-eight new officers, deputies and troopers graduated and will join 21 different law enforcement agencies throughout the state. The agencies receiving new law enforcement officers from session #342 are as follows: 

• Beaver County Sheriff’s Office
• Davis County Sheriff’s Office
• Emery County Sheriff’s Office
• Helper Police Department
• Juab County Sheriff’s Office
• Millard County Sheriff’s Office
• North Ogden Police Department
• Ogden Police Department
• Orem Police Department
• San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
• Sandy Police Department
• Sevier County Sheriff’s Office
• South Jordan Police Department
• Southern Utah University Police Department
• Tooele County Sheriff’s Office
• University of Utah Police Department
• Utah County Sheriff’s Office
• Utah Department of Corrections
• Utah Highway Patrol
• West Jordan Police Department
• West Valley City Police Department

Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis delivered the keynote address for the graduation ceremony. He encouraged the new law enforcement officers to look for ways to serve their communities and to make them and their agencies better places. As he mentioned a recent situation one of his deputies had experienced, Sheriff Curtis reminded them to remember that they are always on the record, even when they think they’re not.

“Welcome, every one of you to this new family – a family of brothers and sisters who have a legacy of honor and integrity. Your agencies have seen something in you that they want to keep and have you as part of their legacy.” 

Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis

Sheriff Curtis recalled a recent speech he heard given by another sheriff who said, “Don’t do great things to get your name on a plaque. Do great things to prevent someone’s name from being put on a tombstone.”

POST’s Sgt. Poret then administered the law enforcement code of ethics to the graduating cadets. Each member of the class was then issued their law enforcement certificate.

Several of the graduating cadets were recognized for significant achievements. The Outstanding Firearms Award, which is given to the cadet with the overall high average on the day shoot and night shoot was presented to new Utah County Sheriff’s Deputy Openshaw. As POST’s Lt. Garcia presented the Outstanding Physical Fitness Award to new West Jordan Officer Martinez, he said, “This guy has one speed and it’s full speed ahead in everything he does.” New Davis County Sheriff’s Deputy Mortensen received the High Academic Award. And the Outstanding Achiever Award, presented by the Utah Fraternal Order of Police, which is given to the cadet with the highest went to new San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Turks.

Deputy Paice from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office, delivered the class response at the graduation. He thanked the family members of the graduating cadets for their support and recognized members of the Class of 342 for their support and assistance.

“Never before have I been part of a group of strangers that has come together to celebrate victories but also to bolster you in times of defeat. I’ve never felt so honored to be a part  of a group of people as I am of Class 342.”

Deputy Paice, Beaver County Sheriff’s Office

“What you see here before you is a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of anxious days. A lot of camraderie and team work,” Deputy Paice said.

Please join us in welcoming these 38 newest members of Utah’s law enforcement family! Congratulations to POST Class #342!