Police Officer

Salary: $39.12 - $52.66 Hourly
Location : Owatonna, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: Police Officer 06 2026
Department: Police
Division: Police Department
Opening Date: 06/25/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MPEA


Description


Experienced officers are encouraged to apply; lateral pay based on experience may be considered.
THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE:
The City of Owatonna is a growing community strategically placed at the crossroads of I-35 and two major US highways, approximately one hour south of the Twin Cities metro area. The community has a commitment to growth, access to services, and quality of life for its 25,000 residents.


Click the link below to learn more about the community this position would have the opportunity to be part of and serve.
ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT :
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE:
We believe that our community thrives when lives, property, and rights of all people are safeguarded through trusted partnerships. The Police Department creates a better tomorrow by providing law enforcement services that prioritize the quality of life and maintain a safe and secure community.

As an organization, our Purpose is to create a better tomorrow. We are guided in that work by our organization's 3 Core Values: Better Together, Community Stewardship, and Pride in Our Work.


In our department, the City's values look and sound like ...

BETTER TOGETHER:
- Holding each other and ourselves accountable-to our peers and the community
- Trusting our peers will always be there to provide backup and support
- Building the team by helping each other out, mentoring, and collaborating
- Taking our work seriously, but not ourselves-humor is appreciated

COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP:
- Conducting ourselves in a professional and approachable manner in the community
- Operating with integrity at all times
- Participating in opportunities for community engagement and partnership
- Taking care of the equipment, facilities, and other public resources we are entrusted with
- Spending taxpayers' money and using city resources wisely, efficiently, and effectively
- Maintaining a reputation as trusted responders

PRIDE IN OUR WORK:
- Showing up with a caring and positive attitude ready to support any individual on their worst day
- Having a willingness to learn new things and seek self-improvement
- Always giving 100%
- Proudly honoring the positive public image of the police service and the responsibility that comes with that
- Giving and earning respect - within the department, the City, and the community
- Policing with professionalism

Duties / Responsibilities
WHAT YOU'LL DO: As a Police Officer you will be responsible for conducting law enforcement activities to ensure public safety. Responsibilities may include: responding to requests for assistance from the public; preventing traffic accidents and deterring violators; investigating accidents and criminal incidents; preparing incident reports; ensuring the security and order of the court; receiving, processing, recording, storing, maintaining and releasing evidence; protecting crime scenes; and coordinating with other departments. Specifically as a Police Officer you will ...


- Patrol an assigned area to enforce local, State, and Federal laws; investigates crimes; collects evidence; interviews witnesses and suspects; enforce vehicle and traffic laws; and apprehend criminals and offenders.

- Write and submit reports related to day-to-day activities utilizing established procedures and guidelines; prepare information, offense, suspect illness and injury, accident, supplement, and administrative reports.


- Respond to routine and complex emergency situations. Answer and respond to radio or telephone dispatches.


- Assist individuals with disabled vehicles and vehicle lockouts and assist distressed motorists.


- Communicate with the general public and employees while patrolling City streets in an effort to proactively preserve law and order and achieve positive public relations.


- Assist in conducting at-scene accident and criminal investigations and related follow-up.


- Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Additional opportunities our department offers for Officers:

• Firearms Instructor
• Use of Force instructor
• PepperBall instructor
• SWAT Team
• Mobile Field Force
• E- Bike patrol
• K9
• Drone
• Evidence Technician
• First Aid/ CPR Instructor
• Honor Guard

Qualifications
ABOUT YOU:

A successful candidate will have some or all of the following ...
Associate's degree or two-year technical certificate in Law Enforcement or related field; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
*Applicants must be currently post licensed or post eligible for licensure at the time of hire and have a valid driver's license.
Knowledge of:
- Modern police practices and methods;
- Departmental procedures, rules and regulations;
- Knowledge of effective methods of investigations;
- Applicable federal laws, state laws, city ordinances, and laws of arrest;
- Street layout and geography of the city;
- Law enforcement weapons and equipment;
- Principles and practices of patrol and crime prevention;
- Report preparation techniques;
- Customer service principles;
- Computer operation and related software applications.
Skill in:
- Using a variety of law enforcement weapons and equipment;
- Applying and interpreting law enforcement principles and practices;
- Applying applicable local, state and federal laws, rules, and regulations;
- Maintaining records and preparing reports;
- Providing customer service;
- Operating a computer and related software applications;
- Dealing firmly but courteously with the public.
- Analyzing situations quickly and objectively, thereby determining the proper course of action;
- Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, superiors, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information, function in a team environment, and to receive work direction.

Hours of Work/Physical and Mental Demands

• This is a full-time position. Schedule will vary and will include evening and weekend hours.
• To view the full job description including position specifications and physical demands

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
See Contract
01


Do you currently have a valid Minnesota driver's license or a valid driver's license from another state?

• Yes, I have a valid Minnesota driver's license.
• Yes, I have a valid driver's license from another state.
• No, I do not currently possess a valid driver's license.

02


Do you currently hold a Minnesota Peace Officer license or are you eligible for Minnesota Peace Officer licensure? (If "Yes" - attach a copy of your license or eligibility letter to your application.)

• Yes
• No

03


Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• High school diploma / GED
• Some college
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters or higher
• None of the above

04


Which of the following best describes your work experience as a full-time sworn law enforcement officer?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• More than 6 months, but less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 3
• More than 3 years, but less than 5
• More than 5 years, but less than 7
• 7 or more years

05


Which of the following best describes your volunteer law enforcement experience?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• Mare than 6 months, but less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 3
• More than 3 years, but less than 5
• More than 5 years, but less than 10
• 10 or more years

06


Which of the following best describes your non-sworn, paid law enforcement experience, such as probation officer, community service officer, corrections officer, detention deputy, dispatcher, private security/loss prevention?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• More than 6 months, but less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 3
• More than 3 years, but less than 5
• More than 5 years, but less than 7
• 7 or more years

07


Which of the following best describes your experience working in the customer service (non-law enforcement related) field?

• No experience
• Less than 6 months
• More than 6 months, but less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 3
• More than 3 years, but less than 5
• 5 or more years

08


Please describe your customer service experience. If no experience, type N/A.
09


Select the certifications or training certificates that you currently possess (select all that apply and attach supporting documents to your application).

• Accident reconstruction
• ARIDE
• Armorer
• Arson Investigator
• Car Seat Technician
• Crime Scene Technician / Property Evidence Officer
• Crisis Negotiator
• Crisis Intervention Training
• Defensive Tactics Instructor
• Drug Recognition Expert
• EMR
• EMT-Basic
• EMT-Instructor
• EMT-Paramedic
• ERU / SWAT
• EVO (Emergency Vehicle Operation)
• Field Training Officer
• Firearms Instructor
• First Aid/CPR
• Lidar
• Mobile Field Force Instructor
• Narcotics investigator
• Negotiator
• OC Instructor
• OPUE
• PIT
• Radar
• Reid Interview
• SFST
• SFST Instructor
• Taser Instructor
• Other certified instructor (please specify below)
• Other certification (please specify below)
• N/A - I do not have experience in this area.

10


If you selected "Other" in certifications or training certificates, please provide additional information.
11


Are you experienced and able to fluently speak and understand a language other than English?

• Yes
• No

12


Please list all languages other than English that you are able to fluently speak and understand. NOTE: You may be required to demonstrate your fluency to better access your skills. If you do not fluently speak another language, type N/A.
13


Please explain why you would like to work for the City or Owatonna?
14


Do you wish to apply for Veteran's Preference?You must complete the Veterans' Preference points below and submit the required documentation ( MEMBER COPY 4 VETERAN'S DD214) to the City of Owatonna by the application deadline of the position for which you are applying.

• Not claiming Veteran's Preference
• Veteran
• Disabled Veteran
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran

Required Question