Police Officer Lateral Salary $86,588.32 - $112,166.08 Annually
Location: Minneapolis, MN Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 2026-00002 Department: Police Division Police Opening Date: 01/01/2026 FLSA: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: CPO
Description of Benefits
As the largest and most vibrant city in the state, Minneapolis depends on purposeful, dedicated and innovative employees. Minneapolis has a large variety of careers for people of all experiences and backgrounds who come together for a singular purpose-serving the residents, businesses and visitors of Minneapolis. The City of Minneapolis is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
• Patrol assigned area to enforce laws, detect and prevent crime and protect life and property. • Apprehend and arrest law violators (including probable cause arrests), prepare written reports of crimes and assist in the prosecution of violators. • Draft and execute arrest warrants and make probable cause arrests. • Establish probable cause, draft, prepare and execute search warrants. • Conduct follow-up investigations for criminal prosecution of criminal and traffic complaints. • Enforce traffic laws conducting traffic, marking and tagging vehicles, making written reports of accidents and investigating and reconstructing serious or fatal traffic accidents. • Collect, evaluate, investigate, protect and preserve evidence at crime or accident scenes. • Conduct surveillance of suspected criminal activity and provide undercover operations to identify and apprehend suspects. • Interview and/or interrogate witnesses, victims and suspects and draft formal statements for presentation in court, including testifying in court on criminal and civil matters. • Record and investigate complaints from citizens, including those on the conduct and actions of officers. • Respond to residential and business alarms for intrusion, robbery or other emergencies. • Protect the rights and safety of all individuals, including political figures and dignitaries. • Recover and assume preliminary custody of lost, stolen or abandoned property. • Conduct follow-up investigations for criminal prosecution on traffic and criminal complaints. • Function as a Field Training Officer (FTO) supplementing academy instruction through field experience and serving as a final step in the officer selection process. • Evaluate recruits on a daily basis and share information with supervisors. • Operate various computer terminals to enter and retrieve essential information.
Working Conditions
Exposure to hazardous conditions and life-threatening situations.
Minimum Qualifications
• Completion of a two or four year Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice Degree through a Professional Peace Officer Education Program and pass the P.O.S.T. Licensing Exam or equivalent. • Licenses: Must have and maintain a valid drivers license. Valid Minnesota POST license or the ability to obtain one prior to date of hire. • Experience: Previous Law Enforcement Experience (1 year preferred). • Department reserves the right to determine the nature and extent of training necessary for a candidate to be considered for the Police Officer position. • Note: Applications submitted without proof of Minnesota P.O.S.T. status will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered. Proof of Minnesota P.O.S.T. and/or supplemental documents will not be accepted by email, fax or in person. All documents must be uploaded and submitted with your on-line application.
State Requirements
• Must not have a felony conviction. • Must successfully pass the MPD background investigation. • Current Minnesota POST Board Certification.
Medical/Psychological Exams
• Candidates must be deemed medically and psychologically fit and successfully pass a drug and alcohol screening prior to hire.
Physical Requirements
Police work is physically and mentally demanding. During the Lateral Onboarding process, candidates will participate in and be assessed on MPD Police Officer fitness goals. This position requires standing, walking, sitting, talking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, reach with hands and arms. Must be able to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
Background Check
The City has determined that a thorough Minneapolis Police Department criminal background check is necessary for positions with this job title. Applicants must sign an informed consent allowing the City to obtain their criminal history information in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be considered for the position.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
All job applicants must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test once a conditional offer of employment has been made. Applicants will be required to sign a notification and consent form prior to undergoing drug and alcohol testing.
Selection Process
• Candidates unable to complete any portion of this process will not be eligible to move forward in the hiring process. • Selection Steps and Tentative Timeline: • Applications will be reviewed as needed. • Applications received within each period will be processed through the described selection process as a group. • Candidates will be notified by email with instructions or information for each step below: • Application Review • Training & Experience • Department Interviews • Backgrounds • Conditional Job Offers • Medical Exams • Begin Work • Union Representation: This position is represented by Police Officers Federation: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/departments/hr/labor-agreements/police-officers-federation/ • Eligible List Statement: The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on a continuous eligible list for employment consideration. This list will be certified in groups to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title on an on-going basis. A candidate's eligibility for consideration will expire 6 months after date of certification.
Interview Selection
The hiring authority reserves the right to determine the maximum number of candidates to interview from the certified list. If the hiring authority decides to interview other than by exam score order, they may select additional people to interview based on a candidates education or experience related to the field, work history, or skills uniquely related to the operational needs of the position.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Must maintain POST licensing with completion of forty-eight credit hours every three years. • Knowledge of the laws, ordinances and police procedures as they apply to situations encountered on duty. • Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment in emergency situations. • Ability to relate and work effectively with people from diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds. • Good oral and written communication skills. • Must be U.S. Citizen with no felony convictions. • Ability to distinguish the colors red, yellow and green and vision correctable to 20/40 in both eyes. • Possess standard hearing average threshold without correction of any worse than a 40-decibel loss on the average at 500, 1,000 and 3,000 Hertz frequencies in the better ear. • Must pass medical/psychological examination prior to hire. Medical examination will include drug and alcohol screening tests. • Must maintain physical fitness levels according to standards set by the Minneapolis Police Department as a term and condition of continued employment. • Must pass thorough background investigation that includes meeting department standards regarding acceptable employment history, honesty, driving and conviction records.
Benefits Summary
Our employees enjoy competitive salaries and generous benefits. We pride ourselves on a comprehensive benefits program that supports employees health and financial well-being. Programs, resources, and benefit eligibility varies based on position, average hours worked, location and length of service. For detailed benefits information, please visit the benefits page.
Insurance
• Health insurance: Eligibility for benefits begins the first of the month following employment date. The City of Minneapolis offers eligible employees one plan design with a choice of six provider networks, allowing you to select the best option for you. • Dental insurance: The City of Minneapolis offers dental insurance through Delta Dental of Minnesota and pays 100% of the monthly premium for eligible employees. • Life insurance: The city provides basic life insurance of one times your annual salary up to $50,000. You can elect to purchase optional life insurance.
Paid Time Off
• Our generous leave package includes vacation, holidays and paid sick leave, which gives employees the opportunity to enhance their quality of life outside work. Amounts and accrual rates are based on years of experience and collective bargaining agreements. • Paid parental leave: City employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth or placement for adoption of a child.
Retirement
• City employees earn a pension and may choose to participate in additional retirement savings programs. • Pension: The City of Minneapolis participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Employees and the City both contribute a percentage of your pay to fund future benefits. • Deferred compensation: Employees may choose to participate in pre-tax or after-tax savings plans through the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS).
Transportation
• Eligible City employees may choose to participate in the following transportation programs: • Metropass: The Metropass program allows eligible employees to enroll in a pass for unlimited bus or light rail rides at a discounted price. • Parking or Van Pool: The City of Minneapolis Transportation Benefits Plan gives you options to pay certain commuting costs, such as qualified parking and van pool expenses, with pre-tax dollars.
Learning and Development
• To engage and develop employees, the City of Minneapolis offers classes in leadership, cultural agility, change management and more. Additionally, educational discounts at Augsburg University, Hamline University, St. Catherine's, and St. Marys University of Minnesota are available to City employees.
Other Perks
• Employees can also take advantage of optional life insurance, flexible spending accounts, the Employee Assistance Program, health club discounts and more.
Application Instructions
To apply for this position, please submit your application online at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/jobs.