Police Officer

Salary : $81,307.20 - $103,043.20 Annually
Location : Chaska Police Department, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-00252
Department: Police Department
Division: Officer
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/1/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Police Chief


Job Summary

Full-time Patrol Officer (Open to New and Lateral Officers)
The City of Chaska is accepting applications for the position of full-time patrol officer. As a city on the edge of the metro, Chaska is in Carver County and is home to nearly 30,000 residents. The Chaska Police Department recently moved into the new, state of the art Public Safety Facility which opened in early 2026.
Applicants must currently be MN POST licensed or eligible for licensure by March 1, 2027
Salary and Benefits

• Starting wage between $43.17-$53.10 hourly ($89,793-$110448 annually), depending upon qualifying experience. The current patrol contract includes a $1,805 annual uniform allowance check with all initial equipment provided.
• Lateral candidates may be eligible for 40-hours paid personal leave upon starting employment, higher rate of paid personal leave accrual, and higher base wage. Eligible lateral candidates may be credited with the 4 year longevity step after completion of the probationary period. Exact starting wages and benefit accrual for eligible lateral candidates will be determined based on prior experience.
• Longevity incentives available after 4, 8, 12, and 16 years of employment with the city. Current top patrol base pay is $58.94 hourly ($122,595 annually).
• Signing bonus of $5,000 ($2,000 paid after successful completion of field training and $3,000 after completion of the 12-month probationary period).
• Certain CPD assignments are eligible for additional specialty pay and instructor pay.
• Night shift differential pay of $1.00 per hour.
• Patrol Officers receive a bank of 156 holiday hours and 104 "time owed" hours annually, which can be taken as time off or pay.
• Post-retirement healthcare savings plan with city contribution.
• CPD embraces officer wellness, which includes an ability for officers to work out one-hour per shift while on-duty.

Employment Process

• Candidates meeting eligibility requirements will be invited to participate in a pre-employment process starting with a video interview and those mowing forward will be invited to a panel interview at the CPD.
• Candidates given a conditional job offer would be required to successfully complete a thorough background investigation, psychological exam, drug screening, and a medical/fitness examination.

For additional information, please review our recruitment brochure or contact a member of the recruitment team ().
Recruitment Brochure:


We welcome qualified applicants to apply. Preference will be given to those who have not applied within the previous twelve months.

Responsibilities

1. Enforces laws and City codes and provides for public safety through observation, investigation, reporting and corrective action.
2. Responds to service calls, patrols, and investigates suspicious activities, interviews suspects and witnesses, collects and preserves evidence, makes arrests, attends related court hearings, and completes required reporting.
3. Interacts with residents and other police departments, the general public and preserves the peace through conflict intervention, negotiation, crowd control, and community policing principles.
4. Provides public services such as emergency medical assistance, coordination at fire scenes, traffic and crowd control, missing persons, found property, and assists stranded motorists.
5. Conducts field training for all new officers, when assigned.
6. Provides information to the public and fosters relationships with businesses, neighborhoods, and citizens.
7. Knows and follows CPD policies and procedures.
8. Performs all other related duties and expected or assigned.

Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience

• Valid Minnesota driver's license or ability to obtain by hire date
• Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice or a related field
• Current licensure by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards (POST) or ability to obtain by March 1, 2027

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of community policing
• Knowledge of basic first responder first aid/life saving techniques to include CPR certified
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective investigation and interrogation
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations, communicate effectively in a respectful and responsive manner that de-escalates conflict
• Knowledge of state statutes and codes, federal guidelines and protocols, and local ordinances related to law enforcement
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and awareness
• Critical thinking skills and the ability to make reasoned judgments under conditions of uncertainty
• Ability to accurately assess the potential consequences of alternative courses of action and select the most appropriate and acceptable
• Ability to recognize potentially dangerous situations and act decisively to protect persons and property from harm
• Experienced in the use of computers, standard office software, firearms, and police equipment
• Demonstrated ability to foster and maintain responsive community relations
• Meet departmental use of force standards

Equipment, Mental & Physical Demands
EQUIPMENT USED

• Computer
• Vehicle
• Telephone
• Radio
• Body armor and tactical vest
• Firearm
• Duty belt and equipment
• Medical equipment
• First responder equipment
• Evidence collection, cameras, fingerprinting equipment

MENTAL & PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Mental Effort

• Attention to detail
• Organize, plan, and supervise
• Critical thinking
• Read, interpret, and communicate statutes, regulations, and ordinances
• Understand and communicate effectively with staff and public

Physical Requirements

• Operate a computer keyboard and basic office equipment
• Listen and respond to telephone and radio calls
• Operate a motor vehicle
• Stand, sit, walk, push, pull, climb, run

Working Conditions

• Work with citizens of all ages
• Exposure to heat, cold, and all weather conditions
• Risk of injury
• Driving

City of Chaska offers a compete benefits package to full-time employees including:

• Medical Insurance (HSA and HRA options)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Medical & Dependent Care
• Long-Term Disability
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Employee, Spouse & Dependent Life Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Nice Healthcare - Convenient Primary Care
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Other benefits offered:

• 11 Paid and 2 Floating Holidays per year
• Paid Personal Leave (PPL)
• Pension through PERA with Employer Match
• 457b Tax-Deferred Retirement Plan
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness
• Chaska Community Center: discounted membership rates
• Chaska Town Course & The Loop at Chaska: discounted green fees and merchandise
• Wellness Program
• Workout on Duty
• Uniform Allowance

01


Please select your highest level of education

• I have a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, or related field
• I have a Bachelor's Degree or higher in another field of study
• I have an Associate's Degree in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, or related field
• I have an Associate's Degree in another field of study
• I have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• I have not earned a high school diploma or GED
• I am in the process of earning my associates or Bachelor's degree.

02


Do you have a valid Minnesota driver's license or are you able to obtain a driver's license by the start date?

• Yes
• No

03


I have reviewed the Minimum Selections Standards for Peace Officer licensure (POST) in the State of Minnesota and meet the minimum requirements. Minimum Selection Standards can be found here:

• Yes
• No

04


Please select the options that describes your MN POST status

• I am POST licensed
• I am POST eligible but not licensed
• I will be taking the POST licensing test by September 1, 2026
• I am qualified for POST testing and will be taking the exam after September 1, 2026
• I am not currently POST licensed or eligible to take the POST exam

Required Question