What is the UPD?
The Unified Police Department (UPD) of Greater Salt Lake is a Police Department serves many Salt Lake County cities and communities. The UPD model allows communities to have comprehensive police services at a fraction of the cost of establishing and maintaining their own police force. By combining a variety of police services such as SWAT, Forensics, Records, Public Information and Training under one organization, communities can share the costs with other participating communities, saving local governments money and reducing the tax burden of citizen.
How is the UPD Organized?
The UPD is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of elected officials from the communities the UPD serves. Day-to-day operations are run by the Sheriff who acts as CEO.
The Sheriff oversees a large group of shared services that are used by all the communities the UPD serves including things like SWAT, Forensics, the CAR Unit, K-9, and Community Relations.
In addition to managing shared services, the Sheriff oversees local precincts, each with its own Commander who is chosen by their respective communities. Precinct Commanders have authority over local operations such as Community Oriented Policing, Traffic Enforcement, Property Crimes, Directed Enforcement, Resource Officers, Patrol, and Crossing Guards.
This flexible structure allows participating communities to take advantage of the cost savings and efficiencies of shared services while retaining local control over precinct-level operations. To see a graphical representation of how the UPD is organized, click on the chart to the left.
Communities the UPD serves
Salt Lake County
BRIGHTON
EMIGRATION CANYON