Jeremy Fox

[THE HIGHWAY
PATROL]
A criminal justice paper, that includes information from an interview about the
Utah Highway Patrol .

Jeremy Fox
Criminal Justice 1010
Career Paper
The Highway Patrol
Some jobs have no risk; employees sit at a desk and answer phones eight hours a day.
While other jobs present an uncertainty of being able to walk through the front door every day
after each shift. Troopers who kiss their spouse and children in the morning, afternoon and late
evening then head out of the door to go to work, are true heroes. They never know what they are
going to encounter day in and day out, and sadly some Troopers never come home at the end of
their shifts. But even knowing the dangers of the job, they continually leave their homes and go
to work to keep their friends, neighbors, and perfect strangers safe from the elements of crime
and victimization (highwaypatrol.utah.gov).
Date of Interview
Around seven oclock on Sunday night; I had the privilege of interviewing a state trooper
that risks his life every day, for the better good of the community.
Name and phone number of person interviewed
The state trooper that so kindly gave his valuable time on a Sunday, so I could interview
him was Steve Windward. I have already thanked him multiple times, but I would like to state
my appreciation again on paper, thank you Steve.

Job Title
Steve Windward has been in the force for a great amount of years and has worked from
the bottom of the ladder to this position that he commands today. Steve Windward holds the
position title, Captain of the Utah Highway Patrol.
Benefits
The amount of money that the troopers get paid is not a lot, for the line of duty that they
perform. I find it hard to believe that these men, and women, put their lives at stake for a job that
in todays world is considered a lower level paying job. But it is somewhat satisfying to hear
some of the benefits a Captain receives in the line of work. Steve Windward receives full
medical insurance, as well as full dental, and life insurance. It doesnt seem like a lot, but the life
insurance policy would most definitely take care of his family, if ever that bad day does arrive.
Any kind of police men or Highway patrol men are the most selfless people on this earth. The
task they put upon themselves is no easy task. They do everything in their power to try and keep
people safe, and I find that out of respect we should do more, but when it comes to benefits for
taking care of others, at least they know their families will be taken care of.
Wage scale
Benefits are one thing, wages are another. When it comes to money, what these heros do
for a living has nothing to do with pay. What these men, and women do for a living is based off
the accomplishment of the impact that they have on the world around them, and in some way;
that satisfaction is worth more than money. But when it comes to money the minimum annual
salary for a trooper is 37,000 and the a maximum annual salary of 52,000.

Education requirement

In todays world, it seems like education is everything. And with everyone improving
themselves with a degree, the demand for higher and higher education seems to be rising every
year. Upon completing high school and having received a diploma, you must be over 21 and a
US citizen. That is the minimum requirement for becoming a trooper. But as you climb the
ladder to a higher and higher position, more schooling is needed. The captain of the highway
patrol has furthered himself with a bachelors degree in criminal justice, and is currently working
on a master degree. Not only does education make an improvement in society, but this is a way
to also bump the amount of money you make up with every degree that you earn.
Promotion opportunities
Promotions are earned for all the hard work that has been accomplished and these
promotions give people the opportunity to not only improve, but show what they are made of, in
other words, how far they can push themselves to greatness. Steve windward has not only
challenged himself, but also shown that he is the man that is going to get the job done. Can Steve
be promoted beyond a Captain? Yes, he can be promoted farther, but I was more interested in
how he became a captain. Troopers can apply for the Sergeant promotional examination after
they have completed 5 years of work experience as a peace officer with the Department of Public
Safety. Sergeants can apply for the Lieutenant promotional examination after they have
completed 5 years of work experience as a peace officer of which 2 years preceding application
for this position must have been in a position classified as Sergeant or an equivalent sworn

position with the Department of Public Safety (highwaypatrol.utah.gov). Then of course

sergeants are then promoted to captains.
Application process
Now that we have looked at the benefits, wage scale, education requirements, and
promotion opportunities; the application process to become a trooper is a completely different
topic. There are many processes that fall into place when applying to become a force of good.
The website that Steve directed me to for more information on the process of becoming a trooper
states: The basic eligibility requirements for being hired as a trooper are, high school diploma or
GED, age 21 and over, US citizen, and a background demonstrating good moral character
(background investigation). When you meet those minimum requirements, you are then
subjected to a physical assessment test. Part two of the application process is then; all applicants
interested in becoming a State Trooper are required to take a written exam called the P.O.S.T.
Entrance Exam (highwaypatrol.utah.gov). After those exams have been taken and passed you
are then required to pass all the following additional tests, polygraph examination, oral board,
pre-employment drug test, psychological evaluation, comprehensive medical examination
including hearing and vision.
After extensive testing and being hired, then you are started on your journey of training.
This program is called FTO (field training officer) program. Some teaching objectives include:
intoxilyzer, firearms, emergency vehicle operation, radar, etc.
Job duties

Steve is the captain of the highway patrol and he has a big plate on his hands. This
captain has 100 employees under his commanded. Tasked with the Salt Lake County area, some
day to day activities include, training, DUI preventions, and riding with fellow troopers. Steve
manages the whole county, which is not easy task. Busy, busy, busy is the only way Steve
could say about day to day activities. Every day is different, one day Steve could be getting
caught up on paper work, to the next day being out in the field, to being in schools educating are
younger generation.
Skills required

The skills required for being a highway trooper go on and on. It seems that the skills
necessary to become a trooper are endless. You know superheroes would barely classify to be a
trooper based of the skills required. But that is what these troopers are; they are heroes without
caps. They have, and probably never will get the praise that they deserve, but back to the point.
The skills that I am going to list are the skills that Steve looks for the most. And one of those
skills is math, a great deal of accident reconstruction is used in this job field. Along with social
skills, honesty, integrity, communication and interpersonal skills. A trooper has to be able to
handle pressure in hostile events.

Likes and dislike

Every job has its ups and downs, but for Steve here is what he likes, and what he doesnt
like about being a trooper. What Steve loves about his job is giving warnings. That might seem
odd, but Steve just doesnt let people off the hook. What he enjoys is educating the public. He

loves interacting with the public and teaching people how the law works. Another thing that
Steve loves is the people that he works with. He specifically said, Tthe people I work with are
very enjoyable and make the job a lot more entertaining.
Steve didnt have very many dislikes about his job, which is awesome and I wish I can
say that in the future, but the dislike that he has would be very hard to carry out for anyone.
Having any kind of fatal crash is extremely hard to handle, especially if it could have been
prevented, either by having a seat belt on or if it involved alcohol, are the words of Steve. But
the next dislike for me would be something that I personally couldnt carry out. That is
travailing to the familys house, after being at the crime scene of a fatal crash, and telling them
that one of their family members is not coming home, and why. That would be that hardest part
of the job.
Memorable experience

The last question that I asked Steve was to share his most memorable experience. I was
told the story of something that touched his heart. Back in the day, when there wasnt a lot of cell
phones, Steve could see a car that was pulled off to the side of the road on the freeway. As he
pulled up to the vehicle, he could see that this woman had a flat tire. Steve then helped the
women by changing the tire for her and she went on her way. About a week or two later, Steve
received a four page essay thanking the man, whom she didnt know his name, that had helped
her. This story is one that touched Steve, and I think that it is cool that he has a memory like this.

Works Citied
"Utah Department of Public Safety." DPS Highway Patrol. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 May 2016.
Steve. Windward, personal interview, May 1st, 2016