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POST Session #341 Graduation

Sunday April 21, 2019
Cover of the program for POST graduation for session #341
Utah County SO and UHP troopers listen to speakers at the graduation

On Thursday, April 18th, DPS’ Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST)’ Law Enforcement Academy held graduation exercises for Law Enforcement Officer Session #341. Thirty-seven new officers, deputies and troopers graduated and will join 16 different law enforcement agencies throughout the state. The agencies receiving new law enforcement officers from session #341 are as follows: 

Officers listen to speakers at POST graduation
  • Emery County Sheriff’s Office
  • Iron County Sheriff’s Office
  • Ogden Police Department
  • Orem Police Department
  • Provo Police Department
  • Tooele Police Department
  • Springville Police Department
  • South Jordan Police Department
  • St. George Police Department
  • Summit County Sheriff’s Office
  • Utah Division of Wildlife
  • Utah County Sheriff’s Office
  • Utah Highway Patrol
  • West Jordan Police Department
  • Washington County Sheriff’s Office
  • Washington City Police Department
Officers listen to speakers at POST graduation

POST Director Major Scott Stephenson welcomed all of the family and friends in attendance. He reflected on the challenges facing law enforcement agencies as they work to hire officers today, noting there used to be a large number of applicants for a small number of positions, but now it can be difficult to get applicants. He noted that the individuals who do apply today are high quality applicants, and are “eager to serve and protect the Constitution of the United States.”

Director Stephenson welcomes the crowd at the graduation
Major Stephenson welcomes family and friends to the graduation ceremony.

“I’m very confident that session 341 is ready to serve you on Utah’s streets.”

Major Stephenson
Cadets from the class present the colors during the flag ceremony.
Cadets from the class present the colors during the flag ceremony.

Iron County Sheriff Kenneth Carpenter was the keynote speaker at the graduation. In his address, he shared the story of Leonidas, Xerxes and the Battle at Thermopylae. As he reflected on the characteristic of courage, Sheriff Carpenter noted, “You will be called upon repeatedly over your career to enter into harms way, not knowing what the outcome is going to be….More important than physical courage is moral courage: to make the right decision for the right reason at the right time every time. This moral courage is what will always enable you to keep your integrity intact.”

Iron County Sheriff Kenneth Carpenter gave the keynote address.
Sheriff Carpenter

POST’s Sgt. Lauritzen then administered the Code of Ethics.

Sgt. Lauritzen administers the Code of Ethics to the cadets.
The cadets raise their right hands for the code of ethics.

The cadets were then presented with their law enforcement certificates. Members of the administration of the law enforcement agencies to which the new officers, troopers and deputies will report were part of the presentations. Several graduating cadets invited family members, law enforcement friends or mentors to help with the presentation.

New St. George PD officer shakes the chief's hand
Sgt. Lauritzen embraces a graduating UHP trooper
New Ogden Officer Nosler was presented with his certificate by a member of the Wyoming Highway Patrol.
UHP Trooper receives his certificate

New St. George Police Officer Lemke was chosen to deliver the Class Response. In his address, he reflected on Class #341’s experiences together – long days of training, learning new skills, challenging themselves and each other. The class had special words of recognition for Sgt. Lauritzen, thanking him for his mentorship and guidance. He thanked all of the family members for their sacrifice in sharing the cadets and now officers. He said it was an honor to serve with his fellow cadets, but “The greater honor lies in knowing that there are people in this world who will still sacrifice those things that matter to them most for people they don’t even know.”

Officer Lemke delivers the class response from the podium

Please join us in congratulating the 37 newest members of Utah’s law enforcement community!

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