Intro to Law Enforcement in Wyoming
The law enforcement career field in Wyoming is a relatively small one, spanning most of the state’s 23 counties. By Wyoming law, sheriff’s departments are required in all but two of the state’s counties (Sublette and Teton), meaning that most of Wyoming’s 1,200+ law enforcement officers work either for police or sheriff’s departments. In the state’s seven biggest cities by population, those typically number between 100 and 200 sworn officers each.
As in other states across the Mountain West region, many of these law enforcement jobs require officers to travel from post to post throughout the states’ rural areas. Those who serve with the state Division of Criminal Investigation or the Highway Patrol could also be tasked with working all over Wyoming as needed .
Employers throughout the law enforcement profession in Wyoming might be in Wyoming’s rural communities or in its bigger metropolitan centers. In the latter category, these areas have a higher need for human resources specialties such as police technology coordination, property and evidence control and network security.
For sheriff’s deputies, a common county role, deputies have jurisdiction for the whole county. Most patrol their assigned area by city, patrolling rural areas, towns and developing areas.
Those who serve as officers with the Wyoming Highway Patrol work throughout the state, enforcing traffic laws, responding to crashes and patrolling schools. Additionally, their role calls for them to provide more detailed investigative services.
Law Enforcement Job Requirements
Representing a cross-section of the state’s demographics, law enforcement personnel acquire their posts via a competitive selection process.
The number of openings is expected to increase in coming years as the state continues to grow economically, migrates and reproduces. An analysis conducted by the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services predicts that demand for law enforcement officers will outpace the growth of the general labor force, while expecting its service area to stretch from Carbon County to Campbell County, Wheatland to Lander, Riverton to Casper and Green River to Kemmerer.
Education: According to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, among the few prerequisites for law enforcement officer positions is a high school diploma or GED. College coursework for law enforcement administration, criminal justice, public safety or a related field is highly desirable.
Examinations/Certifications: Commissioner’s Rules require that non-certified law enforcement personnel must take and pass a law enforcement certification examination no later than two years from the start of employment.
Physical Fitness Standards: Wyoming public safety departments require applicants to be in good physical condition, passing medical and physical agility standards. Physical agility testing includes, but is not limited to, pushups, sit-ups and a one-mile run. Following passage of the physical agility tests, candidates successfully complete pre-agency training at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy. Successful candidates then become state-certified Wyoming law enforcement officers. Most public service departments also require an impromptu assessment of the candidate’s physical endurance, strength and endurance by a certified trainer.
Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy and Training
Almost all new police officers, deputy sheriffs, and Wyoming Highway Patrol officers must complete law enforcement training academies approved by the Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission. In addition, some agencies in the state employ correctional officers and those individuals must meet POST commission standards for training, education, and employment.
The state academies are 16 weeks in duration. The task-oriented curriculum teaches new hires the skills necessary to respond to calls, conduct necessary investigations, file reports, and complete arrest procedures and follow-up procedures. Most of the first eight weeks are spent in the classroom, with the remaining weeks focused on practical, hands-on experience.
Academy classes include law, physical fitness, FRP training, CPR and first aid, traffic crash investigation and procedures, defensive tactics, firearms safety and training, community relations, and field training.
In addition to the state scope of training, many police agencies, sheriff departments, and prisons may have specific requirements that must be met, including an interview process, fingerprinting and background checks, drug testing, and medical and psychological evaluations.
Applying for a Wyoming Law Enforcement Position
The application process for law enforcement jobs can vary based on the particular agency. Typically, applications are submitted online, though some smaller agencies may still require a paper application or at least acceptance of a hardcopy application at an event. After submitting applications, applicants will be ranked based on their scores on the written exam. Those who are ranked highest will be listed at the top of the eligibility list for a particular law enforcement position with the agency. The eligibility list will be valid for six months.
Applicants may be disqualified for any of the following reasons: Those who make it to the interview process can expect to participate in panel interviews. After successfully completing the interview , applicant scores are ranked and those who score highest are chosen for the job.
Those offered jobs following interviews will then be required to complete a fingerprint background check. A comprehensive background investigation is conducted by the hiring agency. Applicants who pass the investigation will be required to go through a medical examination as well as a psychological assessment to evaluate their overall mental health.
Depending on the particular agency, applicants may also be required to take a drug test prior to final acceptance. Those who are denied employment after the psychological evaluation or drug test may request to intercede. Once all steps of the hiring process have been completed, applicants will attend a trooper training session or other training relevant to the position.
Advancement in Wyoming Law Enforcement Positions
Law enforcement officers in Wyoming have significant opportunities for career advancement. Many law enforcement agencies within the state offer formal promotional processes that provide interested officers with the opportunity to move up into higher positions. The Wyoming game warden career progression, for example, follows a clearly defined chain of command as follows:
Sergeant
Bureau or division of specialty
Captain
Lieutenant
Warden
Game wardens might also make it through the ranks of a structured organization such as the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP). The WHP uses a strict non-competitive testing promotion process that weighs applicants’ scores on a written test, an oral interview, and an evaluation of their education and training. An organization such as the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation leaves little to chance when it comes to career advancement to supervisory positions in that it uses a selection process that can take up to a year to complete. This process consists of the completion of a work background questionnaire, an oral examination, an in-basket exercise, an assessment center to demonstrate analytical skills, behavioral interviews, and a performance evaluation.
If an officer wishes to move into a more specialized role such as criminal investigator in the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, he or she will have even more opportunities for advancement into senior and supervisory specialized positions. In the Webster County Sheriff’s Office the career progression is as follows:
Sergeant
Lieutenant
Captain
Other opportunities for advancement within the Webster County Sheriff’s Office with focus on seeing to the enforcement of local laws are available by moving to the:
Narcotic Division
Crime Scene Investigation Division
Criminal Intelligence Analysis Division
Vice and Social Crimes Division
In addition, law enforcement officers in Wyoming will generally be eligible for federally funded law enforcement training programs and sponsored academies. An example of these is the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy where officers can receive video-based training on crucial topics such as officer survival, drug investigations, bloodstain pattern analysis, crime scene photography, defensive tactics, response tactics, cybercrime, and the use of physical control techniques.
Working Wyoming Law Enforcement: Pros and Cons
There are several challenges unique to the law enforcement environment in Wyoming as most police officers are responsible for an enormous area. Weather conditions pose a constant issue and a potential hazard to peace officers working outside, as well as outdoor investigators who work with accident and other crime scene investigations. In many parts of the state, there is limited cellphone service, which can pose a significant safety issue.
The rewards of working in the field of law enforcement are many , from the knowledge that your work may prevent violent crimes or help prevent accidents causing injury or death, to the thrill of hunting down criminals. Investigators receive the satisfaction of using their techniques and experience in catching criminals and both street agencies and investigators enjoy working with their partners. Most law enforcement agencies offer outstanding benefits and excellent opportunities for upward mobility.