Patrol Officer

Salary: $37.98 - $51.04 Hourly
Location : City Hall - Albert Lea, MN, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 00122
Department: Public Safety
Division: Police
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 11:59 PM Central


Description


General Statement of Duties: Performs responsible police work involving the protection and safety of the community through community policing, problem solving, crime prevention, apprehension of criminals and enforcement of laws and ordinances to improve the quality of life, provides emergency services and performs related duties as required.

Supervision Received: Works under the direct supervision of the Patrol Sergeant and general supervision of the Lieutenant.

Examples of Duties


The listed examples may not include all duties performed by all positions in this class. Duties may vary somewhat from position to position within a class and between assignments.
*Establishes partnerships between the officers, the police department, and with the community to prevent, reduce or decrease the opportunity for crime and to improve quality of life.
*Actively promotes the concepts of community policing, problem-oriented policing and proactive policing within assigned area and within the community.
*Seeks out, identifies and serves as a catalyst for opportunities to utilize problem solving techniques such as directed enforcement, education, partnerships with residents and community groups, etc. to address neighborhood or community concerns.
*Evaluates crime patterns and quality of life issues within assigned area and directs police initiatives to improve these issues.
*Participates in community meeting such as neighborhood watch, police/community dialogues, neighborhood associations, civic groups, schools and agency meetings to discuss and address the fear of crime, notify and advise of incidents and promote quality of life.
*Patrols the community to protect life and property, prevent and detect crime, enforce laws and resolve quality of life issues.
*Conducts legal searches, apprehends and arrests law violators, prepares reports of incidents and arrests and safely transports suspects and prisoners in accordance with department policy.
*Assists in the prosecution of law violators and testifies in court as arresting or investigating officer or as a witness; completes reports related to legal process.
*Conduct preliminary and follow up investigations and /or assists detectives with more extensive investigations.
*Prepares complete and accurate reports and forms on all criminal, animal control and noncriminal
matters.
*Collects and preserves evidence; may take pictures of, and preserve, crime scenes and assumes
custody of impounded property and vehicles as appropriate.
*Responds to calls for service for criminal and non-criminal activity, takes action and mediates
disputes as necessary, prepares required reports and advises victims and complainants of
process and actions taken.
*Responds to accident, fire and other emergencies, assists with rescue, provides emergency first
responder treatment, controls the scene and directs traffic flow.
*Interviews witnesses, victims and suspects, takes statements as appropriate, conducts
interrogations; refers victims and survivors to other agencies and community groups for
additional assistance as appropriate.
*Attends roll call, reviews shift logs and obtains other relevant information that occurred within
the last 24 hours.
*Assists and cooperates with other members of the department as well as outside agencies such
as neighboring counties and communities and the State Highway Patrol as needed.
*Maintains crowd control and proactively resolves and mediates disputes in citizens' homes,
places of business or other public gathering places to prevent crime, ensure public safety
and promote quality of life.
*Operates and assists in maintaining all equipment and vehicles used by the department.
*Keeps firearms clean and operating and maintains skills and proficiency in firearm use, self
defense, use of force, pursuit driving, and first responder as required by the Minnesota
POST Board or department.
*May be assigned one or more of several special work assignments as directed by the Director of
Public Safety such as: School Resource Officer, Field Training Officer, Firearms or Use
of Force Instructor, Bike Patrol, SWAT, Evidence Officer, canine officer, or other.
Performs building checks for businesses to ensure the buildings are secure and no vandalism or
break-ins have occurred.
*Notifies residents of serious injuries, accidents or deaths of relatives.
Removes hazards in roadways or contacts public works staff; may occasionally locate and
remove stray animals and transport to the animal pound.
Attends required and/or elective training as directed.
Performs other duties as needed or assigned.

Typical Qualifications
*Considerable knowledge of police policies, procedures, and techniques, including rules of

evidence, arrest, search and seizure, use of force continuum, etc.

*Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, and of department rules and

regulations.

*Considerable knowledge of community policing problem solving and quality of life issues.

*Considerable knowledge of the physical layout and street system for the community and

surrounding areas.

*Considerable skill in handling and discharging firearms in an efficient and safe manner.

*Considerable skill to expertly drive a motor vehicle, sometimes under adverse conditions and at

high speeds and operate department equipment.

*Considerable ability to develop and maintain internal and external relationships, express oneself

clearly and concisely, and to maintain strict confidentiality.

*Considerable ability to perform all duties with courtesy, tact, and professionalism to achieve

and maintain the trust and respect of the public and fellow officers.

*Considerable ability to use de-escalation tactics to engage hostile and/or violent individuals.

*Considerable ability to operate a computer with standard office software and to manipulate

objects requiring fine motor skills.

*Considerable ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with others and to maintain order,

including dealing with difficult or violent people.

*Considerable ability to prepare accurate and thorough reports.

*Considerable knowledge and ability to investigate crime and accidents.

*Considerable ability to use large motor skills to stand, walk, run, sit for extended periods of

time, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, push, pull, twist and turn while performing patrol duties,

defensive maneuvers, subduing suspects and performing arrests.

*Considerable ability to see and hear to interview suspects and witnesses, including night vision,

peripheral vision and the ability to distinguish color to identify evidence and suspects.

*Considerable ability to observe situations and respond quickly, calmly, decisively and

appropriately.

*Considerable ability to work effectively independently or as a team member within the

guidelines of standard operating procedures, department Rules and Regulations and

within the scope of authority for the position.

*Considerable ability to mediate disputes and conflicts and work toward resolution.

*Working ability to lift, move, drag and/ or carry up to 150 pounds including evidence, suspects

and injured people.

*Ability to understand and respond quickly, calmly, decisively and accurately to written and oral

directions, instruction, inquiries and requests in all situations.

*Ability to work while exposed to fire and smoke, moderate noise levels and exposure to

infectious diseases.

*Ability to smell to detect alcohol or potential problems.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Associate degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or equivalent combination of experience and education; licensed or eligible to be

licensed, as a peace officer by the State of Minnesota. Must be certified as an Emergency

Medical Responder (EMR). Must be a U.S. Citizen and possess/maintain a valid driver's license

and be able to drive in the State of Minnesota.
*Note: Asterisked (*) items are essential to the job.

Supplemental Information


Physical Job Requirements and Working Conditions: Pick one box that describes the requirements needed for your job
and the conditions you encounter on the job.
Intermittent - Less than 15% of the time in a typical week (one per week or less)
Occasional - 15%-45% of the time in a typical week
Frequent - 45%-70% of the time in a typical week
Continuous - Over70% of the time in a typical week (averages daily)

N/A Intermittent Occasional Frequent Continuous Walk
X
Stand
X
Sit
X
Bend or Stoop

X

Kneel or Squat

X

Work with arms above shoulder
X
Climbing
X
Lift or carry less than 10 lbs.
XLift or Carry 11-25 lbs.
XLift, carry, push, pull 26-60 lbs.

X

Lift, carry, push, pull over 60 lbs.
X
Keyboarding
X
Repetitive movement
X
Working in cold weather below freezing
X
Working in hot weather above 90
X
Exposed to toxic/caustic materials
X
Exposed to bloodborne pathogens

X

Exposed to fumes or airborne particles

X

Exposed to annoying odor

X

Exposed to sickening odor
X
Exposed to grease/grime
X
Exposed to driving on street
XExposed to wet conditions
X
Exposed to machine tools
X
Exposed to moving mechanical parts
X
Exposed to high, precarious spaces
X
Exposed to risk of electrical shock
X
Exposed to slippery conditions
X
Inability to leave workstation

X

Exposure to angry public
X
Exposure to deadly assault

X

Exposure to offense language
X
Exposure to threats

X

Exposure to trauma
X
Limited mental effort and/or stress

X

Some mental effort and stress involved resulting in frustration
X
Considerable mental effort and stress
X
Work alone
X
Work with moderate detail
X
Work with high detail
X
Work with moderate deadlines
X
Work with high deadlines
X
City of Albert Lea--Police Benefits Summary 2026

PERA - as a full-time employee of the City of Albert Lea, you are automatically a member of PERA (Public Employee Retirement Association).

1. Employee Contribution - 11.80%
2. Employer Contribution - 17.70%
3. Vesting period-50% after 5 years then 5% each year until fully vested after 10 years

Health Insurance : coverage for you and your eligible dependents start on the first of the month following your date of hire.

The City offers two different health insurance plans with three deductible options for each plan.

HSA/VEBA contribution of single $1,200 and family $1,900 with the opportunity to earn an additional $300.

Kavira : offers a new healthcare experience for you and your family. With an experienced team of clinicians, you will receive same-day primary and urgent care via home visits and telehealth. No more unnecessary trips to the doctor - all care is provided through house or workplace visits and via the mobile app. Coverage provided by the City.

Life Insurance : $10,000 term policy provided by the City.

Flexible Benefit Accounts for both health care and dependent care.

LTD - 90 day waiting period, 60% of monthly pay up to a max of $6,000 per month

Leave Benefits initially

• a. Vacation - 8 hrs. per month (240 max)
• b. Sick Leave - 8 hrs. per month (960 max)
• c. Holiday - 96-hour annual holiday credit

Voluntary Plan
Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance (PERA & Sun Life)
AFLAC -optional employee benefits; critical illness, hospitalization, accident.
Dental insurance through Met Life.
Deferred compensation (457 plan) -- Mission Square or Nationwide (similar to a 401k)
Identify Theft/Legal Insurance
Vision Plan
01


Do you possess a valid MN Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you currently POST Board licensed?

• Yes
• No

03


If yes, please list POST license number.
04


If no, list your POST Board licensure test date.
05


List your education and degrees held:
06


Rank your experience with Word. Rank program 1 to 5, with 1 being lowest proficiency up to 5 being highest proficiency.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

07


Rank your experience with Excel. Rank program 1 to 5, with 1 being lowest proficiency up to 5 being highest proficiency.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

08


Have you been involved in the Police, Criminal Justice or Public Safety field either as an employee or volunteer?

• Yes
• No

09


If yes, please explain your police/criminal justice/public safety experience. Including Organization, duties performed, duration and if FT, PT or Volunteer.
10


What do you think is the key to providing quality customer service or working with the public?
11


Are you able to communicate in a second language (ASL-American Sign Language- or speak another language other than English) and/or do you have experience working with diverse populations?

• Yes
• No

12


If yes, please specify your second language experience.
13


Please describe your experience working with diverse populations. Including Organization (if applicable) and duration.
14


Summarize special job-related skills and qualifications acquired from employment, education or other experience.
Required Question