CITY NEWS
POSTAL CUSTOMER PRSRT STD US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 493 OGDEN, UT ECRWSS
October 2025
The Ogden Way: How culture is winning Utah’s police recruitment battle Why cops are choosing Ogden Police: Culture, not just cash, drives recruitment surge As Utah cities battle for police talent with bigger paychecks, Ogden Police sets itself apart by building a culture officers want to be part of – rooted in community, accountability and support. Fourteen officers made the switch this year alone. As police departments across Utah compete for officers through rapidly rising wages, the Ogden Police Department is taking a more strategic path that benefits both officers and the entire community. Ogden Police is attracting and retaining top-tier talent by offering competitive pay and prioritizing a healthy, high-performance culture known as The Ogden Way. This culture
means more fully staffed patrols, faster response times and stronger community relationships. At its core, The Ogden Way is about building a team where officers feel supported, empowered and accountable, because when officers thrive, the whole city becomes safer, stronger and more connected.
A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT: CULTURE AND COMMUNITY At Ogden Police, success starts with a vibrant city culture – leadership, a unified city administration and an engaged city council that is deeply committed to officer well-being and professional growth. This creates an
environment where officers thrive, serve and belong. To support operational continuity, reduce overtime and mitigate the impacts of attrition and vacancies, the city administration proposed — and the city council approved — a float pool of up to 10 additional sworn positions within the existing budget framework. These positions are not an expansion of the authorized staffing cap but are position-neutral, designed to maintain service levels during transitions. As a result, Ogden Police is currently staffed with 160 sworn officers, ensuring greater resilience and service consistency, with additional hires in process. The most compelling evi-
Mayor’s Message
Building the Ogden community - together Dear Ogden Residents, As the crisp air of October reminds us of the changing seasons, it also offers a deeper reflection: change is inevitable — but how we navigate it, together, is our choice. Ogden is a community of grit. In recent weeks, our city has felt the weight of heartbreak and loss. Moments like these remind us how connected we truly are — and how deeply we depend on one another. While not everyone feels hopeful right now, it’s in these very times that the strength of our community matters most. In a world filled with noise, national headlines, and social media algorithms that amplify division, it can be easy to feel discouraged. Despite the challenges we’ve faced, there is reason to be hopeful. Ogden’s strength has always come from its people — the neighbors who show up, the volunteers who give their time, and the everyday acts of kindness that remind us
we belong to something bigger than ourselves. Real progress — and real healing — happens here in Ogden: neighbor to neighbor, in our schools, at neighborhood cleanups, town halls, and in simple conversations on front porches. These quiet acts of care and connection are what hold us together. It’s that caring and connection that has carried us to where we are. Together, we have safer neighborhoods, with a fully staffed police department and a 13.8% reduction in Part 1 crime year to date. Our Streets Division has maintained more than 316 miles of roadway, while our Parks crews have completed over 40 projects in recent years — from new playgrounds and ADA-compliant walkways to improved trail segments. In the past two years, Ogden has welcomed 693 new businesses, from retail and restaurants to event spaces. The average annual wage per worker has increased
5.7% in the first quarter of 2025 — a sign of confidence in Ogden’s growing economy. These milestones reflect the dedication, professionalism, and heart of our city team and community partners. It also reflects the support and determination of you. Our people. Our future. There’s always more work to do. But I remain proud of the people who show up every day to serve, support one another, and keep Ogden moving forward — especially when times are hard. This October, let’s find strength in unity and pur-
Robust compensation package: More than just a paycheck Ogden remains a highly competitive employer with multiple financial incentives, including: • Base pay: Officers start at $30.12 to $46.38 per hour. • Shift differential: Up to 5% additional pay for afternoon and graveyard shifts. • Lateral signing bonus: $7,500 for experienced officers joining from other departments. • Education incentive: Up to $3,000. • Self-sponsor reimbursement: $3,000 for recruits who complete self-sponsored POST academy training. dence of Ogden’s culture and competitiveness comes from officers who’ve experienced it firsthand. Ogden Police has hired 14 experienced lateral officers since the beginning of this year, with an additional seven being sworn in by October 28. Lateral hire officers who chose to leave other agencies to join the Ogden Police shared why they made the move and what sets Ogden apart. Ogden has recruited officers not only from Utah, but we have also seen officers from Maryland, California, and North Dakota recently finding a home here in Ogden. The Ogden Police Department aims to have a formal waiting list established for officers interested in joining the department by Fiscal Year 2027.
WHAT THE OFFICERS SAY Lateral Officer 1 said, “After spending most of my career at other police departments, I was eager to bring my experience back to the pose. Despite the challenges we face, there is real reason to be hopeful. Every day, people in Ogden are doing the quiet, meaningful work of building a stronger city — showing compassion, creating opportunity, and choosing connection over division. Together, we can continue shaping a community that not only endures, but grows — one grounded in resilience,
city where I was born and raised. Ogden’s special combination of a strong community and historic charm has always resonated with me and I’ve admired the city’s dedication to preserving its heritage. I found my dedication to public service and community policing aligns perfectly with the vision of the police chief and mayor for a safe and thriving city. The opportunity to serve the people of Ogden, a community that means so much to me, has been an honor.” Lateral Officer 2 said, “It can be difficult to make drastic life changes, and when coming to Ogden, I did just that. I came from another state, but being onboarded with the Ogden Police Department was a smooth process and I’ve felt nothing but the best feelings regarding my decision to join. I have been a part of multiple police and military teams in the past and the leadership in place in Ogden is the best I’ve experienced.
See OGDEN WAY on page 2
progress, and heart. Thank you for believing in Ogden. Thank you for showing up for one another. And thank you for helping us build — not just structures, but trust, hope, and opportunity — one day at a time. It’s a great day, and we get to call Ogden home. With hope and gratitude, Mayor Ben Nadolski Ogden City