Police Officer Lateral (Amended)

Police Officer Lateral (Amended)

Salary

$86,588.32 - $112,166.08 Annually

Location

Special Operations Center (SOC), 4119 DuPont Avenue North, 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
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

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 Minneapolis Police Department is looking for experienced Police Officer candidates - people who have a strong sense and commitment for public service, outstanding character, sound judgment, excellent work ethic, effective oral and written communication skills, interpersonal tact, empathy, and compassion.

This is a full-time position and requires variable work shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Officers hired in this lateral hiring process will participate in a one-month orientation and on-boarding process rather than the Minneapolis Police Recruit Officer Academy. After successful completion of orientation, Officers will then participate in a three-month FTO, with the potential of an extension if needed.

Work Location-

This position currently works on-site only.

The City of Minneapolis does not sponsor applicants for work visas.

This position has been amended to reflect updated Minimum qualifications

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.

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 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:

• Must possess a minimum of one (1) year of full-time sworn law enforcement experience and one (1) year of patrol experience. 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. Requires close distance color, peripheral vision with ability to adjust focus.

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.

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

Review and screen applications approximately as needed.

Training & Experience

Review training and experience.

Department

Interviews

Department interviews are held virtually via National Testing Network (NTN) while candidates are undergoing their background investigation.

Backgrounds

Selected candidates will move to the background investigation, completed by MPD. A successful background investigation places candidates on a continuous eligible list of

qualified candidates.

Conditional Job

OffersA final selection and conditional job offer will be made upon passing background investigations and Department Interviews.Medical ExamsPre-employment medical exams, including work simulation tests and psychological exams,

are held within one week of conditional job offer.Begin WorkEmployment begins 3-4 weeks from successfully completing all medical exam components.

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.

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.

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 employer.

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 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.

01

How did you find out about this position? (Select all that apply)

• Recruiter/Recruiting Event
• Choose Minneapolis or City Website
• Google Search
• Social Media (Meta, LinkedIn, Reddit, etc.)
• Streaming Platform
• Other media

02

Please specify where you heard about this position (e.g., website name, City of Minneapolis employee name, job fair, professional association).

03

Do you have a valid Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

04

During your Lateral Onboarding process, you will experience rigorous physical training involving defensive tactics. You will be expected to fully participate and show proficiency in the tactics taught. Do you understand and are you able to commit to this expectation?

• Yes
• No

05

Are any of the following statements true? (MPD Standard) •You are listed as a defendant or suspect in any pending or active criminal case •You have an outstanding warrant •You are considered to be a fugitive from justice

• Yes
• No

06

Have you ever been convicted as an adult of any of the following? (MPD Standard) •Mistreatment of residents or patients •Abuse or neglect •Financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult or child •Failure to report maltreatment of a vulnerable adult or child •Disorderly conduct in regards to a vulnerable adult or child

• Yes
• No

07

Are you listed as a "Respondent" of a current Restraining or Harassment Order of Protection? (MPD Standard)

• Yes
• No

08

List all of your criminal offenses in the last 10 years including if you were listed as a suspect and never charged. If so, list why, when, and the outcome (also are you on probation unsupervised/supervised?).

09

Have you ever been convicted of: a) A felony in this state or in any other state or federal jurisdiction, or b) An offense in any other state or federal jurisdiction which would have been a felony if committed in Minnesota? (MN POST Rqmt.)

• Yes
• No

10

Have you been suspended, terminated or resigned in lieu of termination in the last 10 years from employment? If so, list why, when, and the outcome.

11

What is your highest level of education?

• Not Applicable
• High School/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate Degree

12

In which of the following field(s) do you have an associate degree or higher?

• Criminal Justice
• Social Work
• Social Sciences
• Counseling
• Other Related Degree

13

If you answered "other" in the previous question, please specify what field you obtained your highest level of education in. If you did not select "other" in the previous response, please type "NA".

14

Are you able to fluently speak, write, and understand any of the following languages? (Check all that apply)

• Spanish
• Somali
• Hmong
• Laotian
• Amharic
• Oromo
• Vietnamese
• American Sign Language (ASL)
• None of the above

15

Do you have a current Minnesota POST License?

• Yes
• No

16

How many years of previous sworn experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years but less than 7 years
• More than 7 years but less than 9
• More than 10 years but less than 15 years
• 15 years or more

17

Have you completed a law enforcement training academy?

• Yes
• No

18

How many years have you worked on patrol in law enforcement

• None
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year less than 5
• 5 or more years

19

Did you pass probation at your previous law enforcement agency for a sworn position?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Minneapolis

Address 350 South 5th Street

Room 1

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55415

Phone (612) 673-2282

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