Paul Kotter is the current Director of the Weber State University Law Enforcement Academy. Paul has worked for the Law Enforcement Academy since 2002 as an instructor in many disciplines of law enforcement and was a training coordinator for the evening, self-sponsored, Law Enforcement Academy. Prior to being hired as the Director, Paul worked for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ Security Department for 2 ½ years and for the Utah Highway Patrol for 20 ½ years. While working for the Utah Highway Patrol, Paul worked in many areas and had many assignments, some of which included Trooper, Field Training Officer (FTO), Intoxilyzer Technician, Trainer, POST Investigator, Sergeant, and Lieutenant.

Paul has a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Weber State University.  Paul has successfully completed many state and nationally recognized police leadership schools including Northwestern Police Staff and Command, Leadership in Police Organizations, Utah Certified Public Manager, University of Utah’s Emerging Leadership, Below 100, and Traffic Incident Management. Paul was a certified instructor in several of these courses. In addition, Paul has taught various courses to law enforcement, POST, and Satellite Law Enforcement Academies including Field Sobriety, Intoxilyzer, Drug Recognition, Ethics, and Police Radar/Lidar. 

Paul has been the recipient of numerous awards, including five unit recognition awards for various team achievements and a medal of excellence award for his combined efforts in revamping the State of Utah Radar/Lidar program. Paul was recently awarded the Purple Heart from being shot multiple times and seriously wounded while in the line of duty. Two of the shots fired were stopped by Paul’s ballistic vest. Prior to this incident, Paul had made the decision to wear his ballistic vest at all times while on duty. Paul is passionate about endorsing the Below 100 initiatives, including the importance of officers wearing their ballistic vests, so officers can return home safely to their families.