Police Officer (Recruit)

Police Officer (Recruit) Salary and Job Information

Police Officer (Recruit) Salary: $86,588.32 - $112,166.08 Annually Location: Minneapolis, MN Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 2026-00003 Department: Police Division Police Opening Date: 01/01/2026 FLSA: Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit: CPO

Job Description

The Minneapolis Police Department is looking for people who will treat others with dignity, giving them voice and respect, being neutral in their decision-making and willing to work to build trust. They should be willing to show care, to connect as people of this community, to communicate in speaking and listening, and who will act with courage and character.

The police profession is a challenging and rewarding one. Police professionalism is based on community service, dedication to fair and impartial policing and honest enforcement of the laws. This specialized work, with and for the people of Minneapolis, comprises an extraordinary range of opportunities and responsibilities. This is a full-time position and requires variable work shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Work Location

• This position currently works on-site only.
• The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.
• Government-issued photo ID is required for entry.

Selection Process

We will highlight and discuss the following:

• Application process and educational requirements
• Background Investigation information
• P.O.S.T. minimum selection standards for peace officer licensure
• Medical, psychological, physical, and drug & alcohol testing
• Job Duties and Responsibilities

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.

Required Qualifications

• 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 Minnesota P.O.S.T. Licensing Exam or equivalent.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Minimum Experience:
• N/A
• Licenses/Certifications:
• Minnesota P.O.S.T. Certified (obtained within 60 days of Academy start date)
• Minnesota State Police Officer License
• Must have and maintain a valid drivers license
• State Requirements:
• Must not have a felony conviction
• Must successfully pass the MPD background investigation
• Medical/Psychological Exams:
• Candidates must be deemed medically and psychologically fit and successfully pass a drug and alcohol screening prior to hire.
• Pre-employment medical exams, including work simulation tests, and Psychological Exams are tentatively scheduled to begin after successfully passing backgrounds.
• 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.
• Applicants who do not consent to undergo drug and alcohol testing will not be required to do so and the City will withdraw the conditional job offer, resulting in the job applicant no longer being considered for the position.
• Physical Requirements:
• Police work is physically and mentally demanding.
• During the training academy, 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.
• Requires close distance color, peripheral vision with ability to adjust focus.

Selection Process

• Candidates unable to complete any portion of this process will not be eligible to move forward in the hiring process.
• Once candidates are screened for minimum qualifications, qualified candidates will receive email communication from HR.
• Selection Steps and Tentative Timeline:
• Department Interviews
• Tentatively scheduled Backgrounds
• Selected candidates will move to the background investigation, completed by MPD.
• A successful background investigation places candidates on the eligible list of qualified candidates.
• Conditional Job Offers
• Tentatively scheduled Medical Exams
• Pre-employment medical exams, including work simulation tests and psychological exams, are held within one week of conditional job offer.
• Begin Work
• Multiple academies starting in 2026-2027
• Union Representation:
• This position is represented by Police Officers Federation: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/hr/laboragreements/labor-agreements_police_index
• Eligible List Statement:
• The names of applicants who meet minimum qualification and who pass the screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for employment consideration.
• This list will be certified to the hiring manager who may use the list to fill a vacancy of the same job title.
• This eligible list will expire six (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 established eligible 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 Minnesota 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 authorized to work in the United States 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.
• Available plans include Medica Choice Passport, Medica Elect, VantagePlus with Medica, Park Nicollet and HealthPartners Medical Group First with Medica, Ridgeview Community Network powered by Medica, and Clear Value with Medica.

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