Vernal PD

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

Welcome back to the start of a new school year! As students and staff return to school, the Vernal Police Department will be focusing on school zones and crosswalks to help everyone start the year safely.

Slow down, stay alert, and help us keep our students and staff safe!

Have a great school year!

08/05/2026

The Vernal Police Department uses Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology to help locate stolen vehicles, assist with missing person cases, and support other legitimate criminal investigations. ALPR cameras capture license plate information only and do not use facial recognition or identify the driver or passengers of a vehicle.

Use of the system is limited by Utah law and department policy. Searches must have a lawful purpose, are documented and electronically logged, receive weekly supervisory review, and are automatically deleted after nine months. Some Flock cameras in the community are privately owned, and the Police Department does not have unrestricted access to their data. Our goal is to use this technology responsibly to improve public safety while protecting privacy and constitutional rights.

07/29/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vernal Police Department Investigating Child Death

On July 28, 2026, the Vernal Police Department responded to a local hospital following the death of a 7-month-old infant.

The preliminary investigation determined the child had been transported to the hospital by her father after he discovered she had been left unattended inside a vehicle for a substantial period of time with the windows up. Upon realizing what had occurred, the father found the child unresponsive and immediately transported her to the hospital.

Investigators determined the temperature inside the vehicle was excessive. The infant was pronounced deceased at the hospital and was transported to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, which will determine the official cause and manner of death.

Based on the investigation to this point, the father, 34 year old Tommy Dean Platero, has been arrested and booked into the Uintah County Jail on a charge of Child Abuse Homicide. The investigation remains ongoing.

The members of the Vernal Police Department extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragic loss. We also express our sincere appreciation to our partner agencies for their assistance and professionalism throughout this difficult investigation.

07/23/2026

On July 23, 2026, at approximately 11:06 a.m., law enforcement responded to the Vernal Walmart after receiving a report of a credible bomb threat.

Following an initial assessment of the information received, the decision was made to evacuate the store as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of customers and employees. Store staff and patrons quickly exited the building, and officers secured the area.

Law enforcement officers conducted a thorough search of the building with the assistance of a bomb detection K-9. The K-9 team, along with officers, completed a sweep of the store. No suspicious items or explosive materials were located.

Once the search was completed and it was determined the building was safe, Walmart was reopened to the public shortly thereafter.

This incident remains under active investigation. Making a bomb threat is a felony offense and will be investigated thoroughly. The Vernal City Police Department will use every available investigative resource to identify those responsible. Those responsible will be prosecuted and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

We would like to thank the many first responder agencies that assisted during this incident. We extend a special thank you to the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office for providing their K-9 team. We also appreciate the cooperation and professionalism of the Walmart management team and employees, whose quick actions and assistance contributed to the safe evacuation of the store.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Vernal City Police Department at (435) 789-5835.

07/23/2026

PUBLIC SAFETY NOTICE

There is a significant police presence at the Vernal Walmart. Law enforcement is asking the public not to go to Walmart or enter the surrounding area at this time.

Please avoid the area, follow all officer instructions, and allow emergency personnel room to respond. Additional information will be shared when it becomes available.

Thank you for your cooperation.

07/07/2026

Apply today! Job posting closes July 31st.

07/04/2026

Please celebrate responsibly!

06/16/2026

Recently, our officers worked dedicated shifts focused on E-Bike laws and safety education throughout the community.

No citations were issued during these efforts. Officers used this as an opportunity to educate riders and local businesses that sell E-Bikes about current laws.

Our goal is to promote safe riding habits and help ensure everyone can enjoy our community safely.

06/15/2026

Reminder: This is today. Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn how to identify and protect yourself from fraud and scams.

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and fraud can affect people of all ages. We have seen a significant impact on older adults in our community, making education and awareness more important than ever.

Join us for an FBI Fraud Presentation to learn how to recognize common scams and protect yourself and those you care about.

Date, time, and location information can be found on the flyer below.