Police Officer

Police Officer

Salary

$39.01 - $54.28 Hourly

Location

Public Safety Center - 710 South Front Street, Mankato, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

202600076

Department

Public Safety

Division

1421011 Police Patrol

Opening Date

10/28/2026

Closing Date

11/11/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Mankato Public Safety is actively recruiting police officer candidates with strong critical thinking skills, effective communication, and a proven dedication to community policing. We welcome both entry-level and experienced lateral entry candidates.

• Candidates that are not currently eligible for licensing but expect to complete the MN POST exam by January 1, 2027, are encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience:

• Associate's Degree in Police Science, Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice from an accredited university, college, or vocational technical institute. (Must have completed a program requiring actual classroom instruction and training, excluding programs exclusively by correspondence, or such other education as may be considered equivalent.)
• Licensed by the Minnesota Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) Board or be eligible to be licensed by the Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board by January 1, 2027.(both academic and skills training completed)
• Must possess a valid drivers license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.

What the City of Mankato offers:

2026 SALARY SCHEDULE - Police Officers starting at Entry Wage Progression

Officers starting at Entry Wage will move to the next step upon successful completion of FTO during the next compensation increase cycle (March 1, July 1, November 1)

Police Officers who receive "meets expectations" during their annual performance evaluation will move to the 1 year step.

2026

Entry Wage

Upon FTO Completion Step

1 Year Step

Base Wage + 1.75% add to base for all hours worked in lieu of time and half for holiday pay

$39.01

$40.81

$42.70

2026 Full Salary Schedule

Police Officer wage rates include base wage + 1.75% add to base for all hours worked in lieu of time and half for holiday pay.

2026EntryUpon FTO Completion1 Year2 Year3 year4 year5 year6 yearSenior StepBase Wage$38.34$40.11$41.97$43.91$45.84$47.86$49.84$51.80$53.35Base Wage + 1.75% add to base for all hours worked in lieu of time and half for holiday pay

$39.01$40.81$42.70$44.68$46.64$48.70$50.71$52.71$54.28

Wellness and Growth Benefits

• Peer Support Program

• Comprehensive officer health and wellness resiliency program (Provicta)

• Physical, mental, nutritional, spiritual, and financial wellness

• Variety of 10-to-12-hour workdays (promote more days off)

• On-site workout facilities with on-duty use and/or 24-hour access.

• Continual training opportunities to develop successful officers.

• In-field, online, in-person, in-house, and external development opportunities

Specialized Unit Opportunities

Detective Division, Tactical Response Team, Police Training Officer, BCA ICAC Task Force, School Resource Officer, Auxiliary Units, Drug & Veterans Court, Toward Zero Deaths, Hostage Negotiator, Predatory Offender Monitoring Team, Drug Task Force

Instructor: Taser, Firearms, Defensive Driving, Field Force, Defensive Tactics, Integrated Communications and Tactics, PepperBall, Use of Force

If you have any questions about the application process, please email Melissa Weston, Human Resources Specialist at mweston@mankatomn.gov

If you have any questions about the roles of a Mankato Police Officer, please call or email Jeremy Clifton, Director of Public Safety, at 507-387-8782 or jclifton@mankatomn.gov

• The hiring process will include but is not limited to review of qualifications, departmental orientation, panel interviews, background check, fingerprinting, psychological evaluation, physical and drug screen.

Duties / Responsibilities

Get to know our department! How Mankato Police Officers Impact their community:

Mankato Police Officers are progressive problem solvers who partner with the community to build trust and to help prevent crime from occurring. Police Officers serve as the primary arm to promote safety and to protect the public. The partnership between the Mankato police and community members is critical in helping to find solutions to solve community problems.

Learn more about Mankato Public Safety

Primary Essential Work Functions:

• Performs all duties assigned in connection with the operation of the Police Division. Actively supports, demonstrates understanding of, and participates in the Department of Public Safety Community Policing Philosophy.
• Detects and responds to law violations and hazards to public safety; inspects businesses and residential areas for signs of criminal activity.
• Identifies and utilizes progressive nuisance and crime prevention techniques. Identifies and monitors areas, whether self-identified or identified by the community, where public nuisances or criminal activities are occurring or are likely to occur.
• Conducts proactive patrol activities within assigned areas of the city, concentrating on assigned areas of responsibilities or assigned neighborhoods.
• Enforces state and federal laws and City ordinances and apprehends those suspected of committing crimes.
• Enforces laws governing the operation of motor vehicles and their operators and laws relating to bicycle and pedestrian traffic; observes and corrects hazards to motor vehicle and pedestrian traffic; assists disabled or distressed motorists; investigates motor vehicle accidents; issues citations and warnings; makes arrests.
• Promotes the Community Policing Philosophy within the department; maintains good community relations through communication and interaction with citizens and businesspeople of the community; participates and represents the City and department at various functions.
• Responds to and secures crime scenes; directs other responding units; identifies, obtains, and secures evidence.
• Provides enforcement when crimes are committed or in incidents of criminal activity and responds to and takes reports of incidents; completes follow-up investigation when possible; interviews victims, witnesses, suspects, and others.
• Prepares crime reports and assists investigator as needed. Assists prosecuting attorneys with the preparation of cases as directed; testifies in court.
• Operates automobiles for extended periods of time in all environmental conditions. Operates vehicles at high speeds and in congested traffic.
• Responds to identified problems to situations that may be perceived as problems by members of the community, whether criminal or non-criminal. Initiates appropriate responses by partnerships, including other non-public safety resources.
• Conducts preliminary investigations on non-criminal matters, and documents facts necessary to provide for appropriate responses by other non-police resources to community issues and/or nuisances as necessary to maintain public order and safety.
• Performs strenuous activities wearing body armor and other equipment in all weather conditions.

Communicates With:

• Internally - Police Commanders and Sergeants, Other Police Officers, Community Service Officers, Reserve Officers, Records and Fire Personnel, Public works staff - Streets, Parks, Infrastructure, Central Garage, Information Technology, Human Resources, Public Information, and Community Development
• Externally - General public, businesses, educational institutions, medical facilities, non-profits and not for profit entities in the area, Blue Earth County or other regional Sheriff's Departments. North Mankato, St. Peter, and other local Police Departments in Blue Earth County. MN State Patrol and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

Supervision:

• Non-supervisory

Other Work Functions:

• Performs physical and mental demands and work environment requirements for this position.
• Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.
• Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and community customers.
• Performs other related work as assigned or apparent.

Qualifications / Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment:

• Must maintain a primary residence within sixty (60) minutes' drive to the Public Safety Center driving under normal conditions and posted speed limits within one (1) year of employment.
• Must be a citizen of the United States or eligible to work in the US under federal requirements.
• Must possess a valid drivers license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota. A Minnesota driver's license must be obtained within thirty (30) days of employment.
• Must satisfactorily complete a background investigation, physical examination, and drug testing.
• Must satisfactorily complete a psychological evaluation from a licensed psychologist.
• Must complete EMR training or equivalent according to MN POST board minimum selection standards (MN Rule 6700.0700) within six (6) months of employment.
• Ability to pass medical standards for self-contained breathing apparatus; and ability to wear self-contained breathing apparatus while performing work duties.
• Shall not have been convicted in any state or federal court of any felony. All applicants shall be fingerprinted, and a thorough search be made of the fingerprints through local, state, and federal fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
• Must meet MN P.O.S.T Board Standards of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officers (6700.0700 and 6700.1600) which prohibits use of force, misuse of officer authority, misconduct, conviction or engaged in conduct unrelated to law enforcement responsibilities and criminal history.
• Must refrain from consuming and utilizing tobacco and nicotine products on and off duty.
• Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
• Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to not public data. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished the not public data must be properly stored according to city policy and the Minnesota Statutes.
• This is a safety sensitive position and is prohibited from use of cannabis on and off duty and use of alcohol on duty.
• Safety Sensitive Notice. This is a safety sensitive position which requires cannabis pre-employment drug testing. Safety sensitive position means a job in which an impairment caused by drug, alcohol, or cannabis usage would threaten the health and safety of any person.

Hours of Work

Hours and days of work for this position will vary by shift assignment.

City of Mankato

2026 BENEFITS OVERVIEW

For Regular Full-Time Employees

The City of Mankato provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package as part of your total compensation. The Citys benefits programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or flexible spending accounts, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings. The following outline of City-offered benefits serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.

EMPLOYER PROVIDED BENEFITS:

Paid Vacation:

Vacation accruals, utilization, and payouts vary within each collective bargaining agreement and/or employee handbook. The following is the general overview of the vacation benefit:

• Vacation hours may be accrued to a maximum of 50 days or 400 hours.
• Hours are accrued incrementally each pay period.
• Vacation hours may be taken in 30-minute increments.
• Unused balance carries over year to year.

Years of Service - Vacation Days Per Year

0 - 5 years - 10 days

6 - 10 years - 15 days

11 - 14 years - 17 days

15 -20 years - 20 days

21 years - 21 days

22 years - 22 days

23 years - 23 days

24 years - 24 days

25 years - 25 days

26 years - 26 days

27 years - 27 days

28 years - 28 days

29 years - 29 days

30+ years - 30 days

Paid Sick Leave:

Employees earn 8 hours of sick leave per month.

11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday:

All regular full-time employees of the City, except those who are governed by a union contract or different holiday policy, receive the following paid holidays:

1. New Years Day

2. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

3. Presidents Day

4. Memorial Day

5. Juneteenth

6. Independence Day

7. Labor Day

8. Veterans Day

9. Thanksgiving Day

10. Friday After Thanksgiving Day

11. Christmas Day

12. Floating Holiday

Health Insurance Coverage Through Blue Cross/Blue Shield of MN:

• Health insurance plans to choose from: $5,000 HDHP with an HSA, $3,400 HDHP with an HSA, $500 CMM, $100 CMM/Traditional Plan

• Single Coverage

• The City will contribute 95% of the premium for the IRS Minimum Embedded Deductible Plan.

• The City will contribute 100% of the premium for the alternative High-Deductible plan.

• For all other single coverage plan options, the City will contribute at the same premium rate as the IRS minimum embedded deductible plan.

• Dependent Coverage (Employee + Spouse, Employee + Children, or Family)

The City will contribute 90% of the premium of each High-Deductible Plan option. All other plan options the City will contribute at the same premium rate as the IRS minimum embedded deductible plan.

• Employee Responsibility

• Employees are responsible for paying the remaining percentage of premiums, which will be deducted through payroll, on a bi-weekly basis.

• City contributions for union members will follow negotiated contract language.

Employer and employee contributions for non-union employees are shown below. Please note that union employee health insurance benefits may vary by contract.

NICE Healthcare (Free to all full-time employees):

NICE Healthcare is an integrated primary care clinic - meaning NICE offers almost all of the services of a traditional primary care clinic and then some. And better yet, NICE brings that care to your home, office, or wherever you happen to be.

Offers employees and their household members an amazing healthcare benefit with no out-of-pocket fees. Below are the comprehensive primary care services that NICE offers:

• Same-Day Chat and Video Visits
• In-Home Visits with 35 Free Labs and Physical Tests
• 550+ Free Medications Can Be Prescribed by Our Clinicians
• Free Virtual Physical Therapy
• Free Virtual Mental Health Therapy
• Free In-Home X-rays and EKG Services

Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave

Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave is a benefit for employees to be able to have paid time off (with partial wage replacement) and job protection for employees who need to take leave for certain medical or family-care reasons. This is a State required benefit for all employers in the State of Minnesota. Premium contributions for this benefit will be at a shared cost to the City and the employee. Premium rates for 2026 are .78% of gross earnings. This will be split 50/50. Employees will see a .39% of gross wages after tax deduction.

Term Life Insurance:

The City provides a term life insurance policy at no cost to the employee. (Face value is 125% of employees base salary up to a maximum of face value of $50,000).

Retirement - PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association)

1. Must participate as directed by Minnesota Statutes.

2. Employer and employee contribution rates vary depending on position.

3. May obtain refund of employee contribution on termination of service.

2026 Employer/Employee PERA Contribution Rates - Effective January 1, 2026

Contributions are calculated on gross bi-weekly salary each pay period.

Coordinated Plan

Employer: 7.5%

Employee 6.5%

Police and Fire Plan

Employer: 17.7%

Employee 11.8%

OPTIONAL VOLUNTARY BENEFITS AVAILABLE:

The following benefits are available on an elective basis at the employees choice:

Deferred Compensation Plans (457)

Plans available through Mission Square Retirement, Nationwide Retirement Solutions, and MN State Deferred Compensation Plan.

Health Care and Day Care Flexible Spending Accounts

Computer Purchase Program

0% interest for up to 3 years (max. $3,500) to purchase a home computer

Voluntary Payroll Deductions Available for:

• Dental Insurance - Coverage through MetLife - 100% employee cost
• Vision Insurance - Coverage through MetLife - 100% employee cost
• YMCA membership at corporate rates
• Savings Bonds
• Various voluntary group life and disability plans.
• AFLAC

Credit Union Membership - Eligible for membership

• MN Valley Federal Credit Union
• Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

Vacation Purchase Program

Employees may purchase additional vacation time (limits apply).

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

In Addition:

The City of Mankato is a qualifying employer of the Student Loan Forgiveness Program.

Questions regarding benefit information can be directed to Human Resources at 507-387-8664.

01

The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you currently have a valid Minnesota drivers license or a valid drivers license from another state?

• Yes, I have a valid Minnesota drivers license
• Yes, I have a valid drivers license from another state
• No, I do not currently possess a valid drivers license

03

Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• High school diploma / GED
• Some college
• Associates degree in process
• Associates degree
• Bachelors Degree in process
• Bachelors degree
• Masters or higher
• None of the above

04

What degree have you completed or are currently pursuing? Please specify your field of study.

05

If you are in the process of obtaining a degree, what is your expected graduation date? (e.g., May 2026)

06

What is your expected completion date for the required Minnesota POST skills training? (e.g., May 2026)

07

Applicants must currently meet the Minnesota POST Board licensing requirements - including completion of the required degree and skills portion - or be eligible to do so by January 1, 2027. Which of the following best describes your status?

• I am currently licensed by the Minnesota POST Board
• I have completed the required degree and skills portion and am eligible for Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board licensure
• I am eligible for Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board licensure based on qualifying out-of-state or military law enforcement experience
• I will meet all Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board licensing requirements (including degree and skills portion) by January 1, 2027
• I do not currently meet, and will not meet by January 1, 2027, Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board licensing requirements

08

Have you completed the required Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training under MN STAT 144E.27?

• Yes
• No
• In progress, completing soon
• I do not know

09

Have you completed the required Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) with Pursuit Driving?

• Yes
• No
• In progress, completing soon
• I do not know

10

Please indicate your willingness to accept the working conditions for this position. If you answer "NO" to this question, you may want to reconsider applying for this position. Are you willing to work in a highly stressful environment on a daily basis and make critical decisions under considerable pressure and stress?

• Yes
• No

11

Condition of Employment: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which will include, but not be limited to: verification of employment and education records, social media review, identification verification, drivers license record, a criminal history, psychological, pre-employment drug testing, and physical examination?

• Yes
• No

12

Condition of Employment: Have you been convicted under any state or federal narcotics or controlled substance law irrespective of any proceeding under MN STAT 152.18 or any similar law of another state or federal law?

• Yes
• No

13

Condition of Employment: Are you able to maintain a primary residence within a sixty (60) minute drive to the contiguous city limits of Mankato within one (1) year of employment?

• Yes
• No

14

Condition of Employment: If hired for this position, you must refrain from consuming and utilizing tobacco and nicotine products on and off duty.

• I acknowledge this condition of employment and will refrain from consuming and utilizing tobacco and nicotine products on and off duty.
• I am unable to meet this condition of employment.

15

Condition of Employment: This position is a safety sensitive position and is prohibited from use of cannabis on and off duty and use of alcohol on duty.

• I acknowledge this condition of employment and will not use cannabis on and off duty and alcohol while on duty.
• I am unable to meet this condition of employment.

16

Condition of Employment: The MN P.O.S.T Board has Standards of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officers (6700.0700 and 6700.1600) which prohibits use of force, misuse of officer authority, misconduct, conviction or engaged in conduct unrelated to law enforcement responsibilities and criminal history. Please answer below if you meet these standards.

• I acknowledge that I meet the MN P.O.S.T. Board Standards of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officers and have not been convicted or engaged in prohibited conduct related to law enforcement authority as outlined in MN Rules 6700.0700 and 6700.1600.
• I am unable to acknowledge that I meet the MN P.O.S.T. Board Standards of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officers because I have been convicted or engaged in prohibited conduct related to law enforcement authority as outlined in MN Rules 6700.0700 and 6700.1600.

Required Question

Employer City of Mankato

Address PO Box 3368

Mankato, Minnesota, 56002

Phone 507-387-8531

Website http://www.mankatomn.gov/jobs