UHP working to diversify its workforce

UHP working to diversify its workforce

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Highway Patrol wants to diversify its workforce with more minority and female troopers.

UHP officials say the number of applicants seeking to work in law enforcement has dropped in recent years in Utah and across the country, and they want to see more applicants who represent Utah's changing demographic.

"We want to have a diverse workforce to be reflective of the community that we serve," said UHP Captain Steven Winward.

Winward said Utah is becoming more diverse with immigrants and refugees, as well as other sectors such as business, education, and athletics. As these different groups call Utah home, Winward says each brings its own culture and values to Utah's changing demographics.

"Utah is becoming a melting pot and we'd like to get people from those different nationalities and countries to be part of our team," Winward said.

Working to diversify the Utah Highway Patrol, he adds, is a way of being proactive rather than reactive in crucial situations.

"If you're able to reach out to some of those minority groups that would never consider a career in law enforcement," UHP Agent Jalaine Hawkes said, "your department is better able to deal with things as they come up, rather than trying to deal with issues involving different minority groups after the problems have already arisen."


Utah is becoming a melting pot and we'd like to get people from those different nationalities and countries to be part of our team.

–Capt. Steven Winward, UHP


Troopers say one challenge involving immigrant communities is the lack of trust for law enforcement, which some of them have experienced in their countries.

"Unfortunately, that's the world we live in," said UHP Sgt. David Moreno, a Mexican immigrant who has served on the force for the past 14 years. "In some of those third world countries, there's a lot of corruption in government and in police work. They come from these places where they avoid police."

Moreno said having that information has helped him during traffic stops when he encounters Utah drivers who are from different countries.

There are only a handful of female troopers on the force and the department says it's been difficult to recruit women, even though those who serve say it's clear they have an important role.

"I've been to different scenes where people are yelling at each other and just my presence alone stops them," said Trooper Bonnie Kunz.

However, she says other situations can be challenging when dealing with the public as a female trooper.

"Some people back away, some people don't want to talk to me because I'm a female, or others will try to get out of a ticket," with compliments about the way she looks, Kunz said.

UHP officials said the force has some diversity, including immigrants, single moms, religious groups, and sexual orientation; however, they'd like to grow a more diverse force.

Trooper Terry Buck, who was born in Korea and adopted by Americans at age 3, says there's more to be done.

"Diversity helps but it's not the answer," Buck said. "It's mutual respect from officers to the public and the public to law enforcement. Once we all put on the uniform, we're all one."

Utah Highway Patrol officials said anyone is encouraged to seek employment on the force because everyone is required to meet the basic requirements when testing, regardless of race or gender.

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