Salt Lake City International Airport Names New Police Chief

On July 1, the Salt Lake City Department of Airports selected Craig Vargo to serve as Airport Police Chief. Chief Vargo is the first to rise through the ranks of the department to serve in this important position.

From Left to Right: SLC Operations Director Randy Berg, Airport Police Chief Craig Vargo, former chief Steve Marlovits and Airport Executive Director Maureen Riley.

Chief Vargo has 27 years of law enforcement experience, 25 of those at Salt Lake City International. Vargo has served as captain for the past 13 years, with oversight of policy, personnel, labor negotiations, operations, and budget decisions. In addition, Vargo has worked as an undercover narcotics task force officer, patrol officer, bike patrol officer, investigator, certified defensive weapons instructor, and Airport Assistant Public Safety Venue Commander for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Chief Vargo has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Weber State University in Criminal Justice, where he graduated with honors.  He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the FBI Command College, the University of Utah Law Enforcement Leadership Program, the West Point Leadership program, and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Certified Member Program.

Born in Salt Lake City, Chief Vargo currently resides in Layton with his wife of 22 years and two of their three children. His personal interests include camping with his family and participating in Spartan Races.