Police Officer (Recruit)

The Minneapolis Police Department is looking for people who will treat others with dignity, giving them voice and respect, being neutral in their decision-making and willing to work to build trust. They should be willing to show care, to connect as people of this community, to communicate in speaking and listening, and who will act with courage and character.

• Application process and educational requirements
• Background Investigation information
• P.O.S.T. minimum selection standards for peace officer licensure
• Medical, psychological, physical, and drug & alcohol testing

* 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.

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 Minnesota P.O.S.T Licensing Exam or equivalent.

• Must not have a felony conviction.
• Must successfully pass the MPD background investigation.

Tentatively scheduled

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

Tentatively scheduled

Pre-employment medical exams, including work simulation tests and psychological exams, are held within one week of conditional job offer.

Multiple academies starting in 2026-2027

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must maintain Minnesota 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 authorized to work in United States 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.

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.