How to become a police officer in Wyoming
In Wyoming, police officers are hired by city police departments and county sheriff's offices. The Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) sets the statewide standards; the credential is Peace officer certification (POST basic training certificate). At the Cheyenne Police Department, new hires start at $66,306 a year, rising to $83,573. You must be at least 18.
Pay at the Cheyenne Police Department
Each city and county sets its own pay. This is the official scale of the Cheyenne Police Department, the largest city's agency.
| Starting salary | $66,306 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $83,573 |
CPD Salary Ranges & Benefits page: Patrol annual pay $66,306.24 (Patrol 1) to $83,573.04 (Patrol 7); grades Patrol 2 $67,418.64, 3 $70,213.56, 4 $73,201.80, 5 $76,368.48, 6 $79,897.80. Time between grades not stated. The pay chart image filename references 7.1.26 (not confirmed as the effective date). CPD notes no Social Security contributions and a 20-year defined benefit plan.
Source:[cheyennepd.org]
Pay for this work across Wyoming
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Wyoming, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from any one agency's pay scale above.
| People in this work | 1,310 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $57,130 |
| Median pay | $66,140 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $76,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 18
- Education: High school diploma or evidence of an equivalent achievement
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- Be an adult (W.S. 9-1-704(b)(ii)); the age of majority in Wyoming is 18 (W.S. 14-1-101)
- Fingerprinted; local, state and national fingerprint files searched
- No conviction of a crime punishable by imprisonment in a federal penitentiary or state prison
- Good moral character, determined by a background investigation completed by the hiring agency before employment or training
- Free of physical, emotional or mental conditions that might adversely affect performance: physical evaluated by a licensed physician, emotional/mental by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist
- Pass an oral interview examination by the hiring agency
- Must earn the POST basic training certificate within one year of appointment to remain a permanent peace officer
Source:[wyoleg.gov]
Hiring process
- Application to a city/county law enforcement agency
- Oral interview examination
- Fingerprint criminal records check
- Background investigation
- Medical examination and psychological evaluation
- Appointment
- Commission-approved peace officer basic training program within one year
- POST basic certificate
Source:[wyoleg.gov]
Required training
Length not published. W.S. 9-1-704(d): a peace officer cannot be appointed on a permanent basis for more than one year without a director's certificate of satisfactory completion of a commission-approved peace officer basic training program. Out-of-state officers may have basic training waived by passing a commission written examination and oral interview (9-1-704(g)). No official hour figure was retrieved (POST rules are hosted on rules.wyo.gov, not reachable here).[wyoleg.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Wyoming Retirement System (WRS) Law Enforcement Pension Plan
- Benefit formula: 2.5% of highest average salary (highest paid five continuous years) x years of service credit, not to exceed 75% of highest average salary (W.S. 9-3-432(e))
- When you can retire: Normal retirement at age 60 with at least 4 years of law enforcement service credit, or 20 years of service credit regardless of age; early retirement (actuarially reduced) at age 50 with 4-19 years (W.S. 9-3-432(c)-(d))
- Social Security: no, this job is not covered
Employer contribution 11.3% of salary from July 1, 2026 (W.S. 9-3-432(b)). Cheyenne PD lists a 20-year defined benefit plan (Law Enforcement Pension Plan Handbook) and 'No social security contributions'.
Source:[wyoleg.gov]