Police Officer

Police Officer

Police Officers perform law enforcement duties involving the protection of life and property, to include, but not limited to, the prevention and control of crime, preservation of peace, regulation of traffic, provision of emergency services, crisis intervention, building community trust, and other related duties.

Posting will be open until filled. Priority review deadline is May 18, 2026. Must be Eligible to obtain MN POST licensure by July 10, 2026. How to become a licensed officer in Minnesota.

Examples of Duties

These examples of responsibilities are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work performed and are not meant to be inclusive. The position description is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

• Perform security patrols, traffic control, investigation and show basic first aid knowledge at medical emergencies; detection, investigation and arrest of persons involved in crimes or misconduct.
• Work an assigned shift with minimal supervision, using own judgment in deciding course of action, being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
• Maintain normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or incidents.
• Carry out duties in conformance with federal, state, county, and city laws and ordinances.
• Interrogate suspects, witnesses and drivers. Preserve evidence.
• Conduct follow-up investigations of crimes. Prepares cases for testimony and testifies in court proceedings.
• Prepare a variety of reports.
• Undertake community-oriented police work, and assists citizens with crime prevention.
• Coordinate activities with other officers or other City departments as needed, exchanges information with officers in other law enforcement agencies, and obtains advice from the City Attorney or County Attorney's office regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, city ordinances and related rules of arrest and search or seizure to ensure legally accepted procedures are consistently followed.
• Communicate effectively in making oral or written reports.
• Develop, maintain and promote a cooperative work environment with coworkers in the office and while on patrol duty.
• Maintain departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service and assistance
• Perform such other duties as assigned and assume such other responsibilities as needed to carry out the essential job functions.
• Complete all POST mandated continuing education courses (i.e., Crisis Intervention Training, Implicit Bias, Autism, De-Escalation, Use of Force).

May be temporarily assigned by the Chief to one of the following roles:

1. Investigator
   1. Analyze crime trends or patterns or repetitive crimes. Ability to deal with people in stressful situations and to elicit reliable information to solve complex crimes.
   2. Draft and execute search warrants, compose and broadcast informational alerts to other agencies (perhaps covered under general duties of officers to exchange information with other LE agencies), conduct photo lineups, gather intelligence, respond to process crime scenes
2. School Resource Officer
   1. Ability to work in the Hastings Schools and deal with children effectively. Speak to groups and present training material. Recognize factors that cause or contribute to delinquent behavior and use non-traditional means to respond.
   2. Responsible for most juvenile related investigations.
3. Dakota County Drug Task Force (DCDTF)
   1. Ability to assume roles or act as another person. Ability to work flexible and varied shifts. Conduct undercover narcotics investigations.
   2. Maintains constant availability by work phone whether on-duty of off-duty.
   3. Conduct complex and long-term investigations into high-level drug trafficking organizations as well as investigations involving violent criminals.
4. South Metro SWAT
   1. Provide effective and efficient response to emergency situations by applying and leveraging the collective resources of 10 agencies in Dakota County.
5. K9 Officer
   1. Work with canine partners handling 911 calls, participating in requested canine details, completing required on-going training, and assisting other agencies when requested by those agencies.
6. Community Engagement Officer
   1. Ability to perform community policing strategies that strengthen partnerships for safe communities and enhance law enforcement's ability to prevent and solve crime.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's Degree from an accredited college.
• Licensed by the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board as a full-time peace officer at the time of hire. Those in the process of obtaining their POST license may be considered. Must be Eligible to obtain MN POST licensure by July 10, 2026.
• Ability to meet the department's physical requirements so as to safely and effectively perform the essential job functions.
• Valid Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to make decisions with limited information; to take command of a critical or emergency situation; to remain composed under stress; and to avoid inappropriate risks.
• Knowledge of police policy and procedures to include rules of evidence, arrest, search and seizure to assure admissibility of evidence in court and to assure approved procedures are followed.
• Knowledge of state and federal constitutional law, state statutes, city ordinances, and a knowledge of the function and jurisdictions of various state, county and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Ability to deal effectively, courteously and in a businesslike manner with offenders, suspects, members of the public, co-workers and supervisors; ability to present a positive image to the public; ability to maintain and establish effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers and members of the public.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare appropriate reports on work performed.
• Ability to work independently, with limited supervision and direction.
• Ability to use firearms, radios, radar and other types of police equipment available throughout the department in a safe and proficient manner.
• Knowledge of computers and hardware as they relate to the production of reports and utilizing programs in squad cars when required.
• Demonstrates by example the desired standard of the department for personal appearance and conduct.
• Ability to multi-task and communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to collect physical evidence and digital evidence during the course of an investigation.
• Ability to operate patrol vehicles in a safe manner for Emergency and non-emergency type situations.
• Ability to perform basic life saving measures, apply Narcan when needed and communicate with medical staff on scene.
• Effectively testify in court for criminal investigations.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook and Acrobat
• Ability to communicate well with diverse ethnic and socioeconomic groups in a wide variety of situations.