Lateral Applicants

*Lateral Signing Bonus of $7,500.00 for officers meeting the following requirements:

Lateral applicants must have a minimum two years civilian full time paid uniform patrol experience and be currently certified as a Peace Officer in Wyoming or in a state with a reciprocity agreement with Wyoming per Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Rules and Regulations, Chapter 3, Section 7(c)(i)(A).

*Note: Lateral status will be determined by the POST Challenge Program.

If not currently certified in Wyoming, lateral applicants must:

  1. Provide documentation of successful completion of a peace officer basic program that is, in the POST Commission’s opinion, comparable to (equal to or greater than) the Wyoming Peace Officer Basic Course offered at the time the applicant attended his/her course
  2. Take and pass the Wyoming POST challenge test, as well as the Wyoming Criminal Law and Procedures Course, and domestic violence course offered through the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy.
  3. Meet the same requirements and complete the same testing as entry level applicants.  This ensures that all testing and hiring be in accordance with civil service rules and regulations.

The Cheyenne Police Department's (CPD) application/hiring process is the same for lateral officers and entry level applicants, however the separation occurs once lateral applicants successfully pass the oral board.

An additional step in the background investigation for lateral applicants consists of a site visit conducted by the CPD.

Salary increases for laterals are available at the Chief’s discretion based on past experience, training, and satisfactory performance.

  • Grade-Patrol 3: $66,182.98

  • Grade-Patrol 4: $68,999.69

  • Grade-Patrol 5: $71,984.61

Wyoming P.O.S.T. will reciprocate another basic certificate if it was equal to or greater than Wyoming’s Basic at the time you attended your course. Our suggestion is you contact P.O.S.T. at (307) 358-8213 to receive their direct opinion.

The CPD traditionally accepts P.O.S.T.’s recommendation, and if so, you will be required to complete the 2-week class for criminal law, domestic violence and use of force, as well as a Challenge Exam that will be completed at the conclusion of the course. The first week is conducted on-line at the police department. The second week will require you to attend classes at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, Douglas, WY, that concludes with the Challenge Exam. Officers are then placed into the CPD’s 14-week FTO Program. The department will follow through with you to meet P.O.S.T firearm and CPR requirements within one-year of hire.

* Military Police, Detention/Correction Officer, Reserve Officer, Park Ranger/Park Police, Capitol Police, Detention/Jail/Court Security Sheriff’s Deputy or Marshall, Special District Police, Railroad Police, and Federal law enforcement personnel will NOT be considered as previous related qualifying experience.