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MEET ROSIE

ROOTED IN UTAH

Rosie Rivera was born and raised in Utah, where she learned resilience, determination, and responsibility from a young age--values that led her to a career in public service.

 

As a mother of three and grandmother of 11, public safety is personal. She is committed to building safer communities for families today and for future generations.

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LEADING THE WAY

Rosie was sworn in as Salt Lake County Sheriff on August 15, 2017, becoming the first female sheriff in the State of Utah and Salt Lake County.


She began her law enforcement career in 1993 as one of only five women in her academy class and has been leading the way ever since.

Rosie Rivera speaking with the blurred Utah State Capitol in the background and plants in the foreground, with the words “Public Safety,” “Transparency,” and “Accountability” displayed on the image.
Public Safety
Transparency
Accountability 

Over the course of her career, she has risen through the ranks as an officer, detective, sergeant, lieutenant, Precinct Chief, and now Sheriff. 

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Rosie is known for her authenticity and consistency. She leads with integrity, follows through on commitments, and ensures her deputies use community policing principles to build trust and address concerns early. ​​​

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EXPERIENCE THAT DELIVERS

Rosie has served multiple assignments across law enforcement, including: patrol, community policing, gang investigations, narcotics, public information officer, and administration. Today, she leads more than 1,100 employees, oversees the largest jail in Utah, and manages the state's largest Court Security Bureau.

 

She advocates for victims of domestic violence, mentors youth, and supports efforts to prevent gang involvement and stop violence before it starts.

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She works closely with community organizations, law enforcement agencies, and service providers to strengthen coordination across the justice system. She actively participates in the Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, the Utah Sheriff's Association, the Law Enforcement Administrators, the Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communicators Center, and the Valley Police Alliance to ensure a united approach.  

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FOCUSED ON PUBLIC SAFETY

Public safety is Rosie's top priority. She focuses on:

  • Preventing and reducing violent crime

  • Supporting victims

  • Accountability ​​​

Looking ahead, she is working to:

  • Increase enforcement and prevention programs related to youth violence ​

  • ​Reduce the supply and demand of narcotics in our community 

  • Expand jail space and treatment programs 

Rosie Rivera standing in the center of a line of Sheriff’s Office deputies wearing different uniforms in a canyon setting, with four sheriff patrol vehicles parked behind them.

​​​Her approach combines enforcement with prevention and rehabilitation to reduce crime and improve outcomes. ​

DRIVING BETTER OUTCOMES​​

As Sheriff, Rosie has:

  • Strengthened the Sheriff's Office workforce and culture

  • Implemented the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program in the jail

  • Supported programs that reduce recidivism 

  • Advanced solutions to address jail capacity needs ​​​

  • Reestablished the Law Enforcement Bureau

  • Strengthened the Metro Gang Unit by increasing regional partnerships

  • Supported the Narcotics Diversion Unit and drug court efforts​

  • Removed drugs from the community through enforcement and collaboration​

RECOGNIZED LEADERSHIP ​

Rosie has served on numerous public safety and community boards, including: 

  • Salt Lake County Opioid Task Force

  • Salt Lake County Advisory Board for the Family Justice Center

  • Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center Advisory Board

  • Salt Lake Area Gang Project Governing Board

  • Metro Narcotics Task Force Advisory Board

  • Third District Victim Rights Committee

  • Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Advisory Committee

  • Chair of the Awards Nomination Committee for the Major County Sheriffs of America ​

Rosie Rivera in a Sheriff’s Office Class A uniform and cowboy hat, shown in side profile standing in front of multiple American flags flying outside at the Fallen Officer Memorial at the Sheriff’s Office.

Her leadership as Sheriff has earned numerous awards, including:

  • Tonahuac Award

  • Ignacio Zaragoza Award

  • Sundance Women in Leadership Award

  • American Society of Public Administration Distinguished Service Award

  • YWCA Outstanding Achievement Award for Public Service

  • Rosa Parks Award

  • Karen S. Johnson Woman of Distinction Award

  • Utah Chinese Association Kings Peak Award 

  • Utah Sheriff's Association Lawman of the Year Award 

  • Hispanic Heritage Congressional Recognition

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