Police Officer - Lateral

The City of Rochester now welcomes applications for Lateral Police Officers Lateral candidates are experienced law enforcement officers who have enough full-time experience as a police officer, sheriff’s deputy, state trooper, or in a comparable sworn law enforcement position and may be eligible to complete an expedited Rochester Police Department training program. Eligibility for lateral entry will be determined by the Rochester Police Department based on the candidate’s prior law enforcement experience, training, job knowledge, and demonstrated skills. Starting salary for lateral officers will be determined based on relevant experience, job knowledge, and level of skill. We look forward to your application! Statement of Officer and Department Accountability Rochester Police Department believes that partnership and collaboration are essential to achieving trust and legitimacy within our community. We focus on the overall wellbeing and safety of our officers. We train and educate officers, giving them the tools they need to do their job safely. We encourage and aid them in achieving their career goals and interests. We champion officer wellness, and offer resources and opportunities to strengthen physical, spiritual and emotional health. Our core values of integrity, service, compassion, respect, and innovation serve as a guide. Lateral Officer Hiring Timeline Lateral Officers will be hired fall/winter 2026 Individuals applying and not eligible for lateral hire will have their applications held until early 2027 when applications reopen. Work Schedule Initial training will be Monday through Friday from approximately 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This training will be designed to satisfy POST board requirements and to ensure readiness for police patrol operations. Once the initial training is completed, lateral officers will be assigned to a patrol shift to complete field training. Patrol shifts will be assigned according to departmental needs which may be day, evening, or overnight 12 hours shifts. Pay The 2026 wage range is $40.52 to $56.17 per hour Benefits This position is eligible for benefits offered by the City of Rochester. Please check out the benefits tab at the top of the page for more details. Applications will close on September 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM. The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM. Rochester Police Officers Embrace community policing as a philosophy and demonstrate these principles as part of their organizational culture. Are committed to providing fair and impartial law enforcement services. Treat people with dignity and respect. Remain neutral and transparent in their decision-making, and give individuals a voice through their interaction and engagement with the community. Strive to reduce crime and do their part to foster a safe and welcoming place to live, work and visit. Pledge to preserve peace, deliver emergency services, protect life and property, and enforce laws and ordinances. Applicants must Complete their application online and include both a cover letter and a resume. Possess a valid Minnesota Peace Officer license or be eligible to be MN POST licensed by their start/hire date Possess a valid driver's license Have prior experience as a licensed Minnesota police officer or qualify for reciprocity under MN POST rules with experience as a police officer in another state. Please refer to this link for more information regarding MN POST reciprocity requirements: MN POST Reciprocity Requirements Rochester Police Information About the Department What is it like to work here? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Notice of Examination - located below Police Officer Job Description - to request a copy, email View email address on click.appcast.io Vision Statement We, the Rochester Police Department, are dedicated to becoming the premier law enforcement agency in Minnesota, one that is reflective of and responsive to the community that we serve. Mission Statement To provide exceptional service and superior protection by reducing crime and enhancing the quality of life of the first class community we serve. The Rochester Police Department will accomplish this through strategic collaboration along with a commitment to these core values: Integrity, Service, Compassion, Respect, Innovation Core Values INTEGRITY We will conduct ourselves with the highest level of integrity is it merits the trust of the people we serve. We will strive for honesty and transparency. Our actions will be consistent with our core values, code of ethics and the Constitution. We will maintain our commitment by having respect for the law in both our personal and professional lives. RESPECT We will treat everyone with fairness and impartiality. We are committed to respecting individual rights, human dignity and the value of all members both in the community and within our department. We will cherish, defend and protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. By demonstrating respect for others we will earn respect. SERVICE We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service to safeguard lives and property, reduce crime and enhance public safety. We value proactive problem solving and enforcement in order to reduce crime and the fear of crime. We will engage with the community to build relationships and work together to resolve problems. We will be responsive to the needs of those we serve as we provide exceptional safety and security to our diverse community. COMPASSION Compassionate service is essential to human relationships and indispensable to the foundation of a just and peaceful community. We will show concern and empathy for the victims of crime and treat violators of the law with fairness and dignity. We will exercise our law enforcement authority with diligence, empathy and compassion as entrusted to us by the community we serve. INNOVATION We recognize that improvement is a continuous process. We support creativity and proactively seek opportunities to improve our level of service. We encourage new and more effective ideas that support the fulfillment of our mission. We will seek out and apply innovative approaches in providing the best service to our customers. Through continuous improvement, teamwork, and innovation we will strive for personal, professional and organizational excellence. Official Notice of Examination CITY OF ROCHESTER POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION BRAD TRAHAN COURTNEY DUGSTAD ANGELA HALBERT NOTICE OF EXAMINATION FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE OFFICER IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: that an examination to establish an eligible list of candidates for the position of Police Officer in the Police Department of the City of Rochester, Minnesota, will be conducted. Applications will open August 13, 2026 and close September 2, 2026. Application materials are available from the City of Rochester website Completed online applications including cover letter and resume are required. NATURE OF WORK Rochester Police Department believes that partnership and collaboration are essential to achieving trust and legitimacy within our community. This position performs police work protecting life and property, maintaining order, preventing crimes, apprehending criminals, and enforcing laws and ordinances. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet ONE of the following licensing requirements: A. Have an "active" license in the State of Minnesota, meaning that applicant has met the State of Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board approved requirements for obtaining and maintaining a valid license; OR B. Have an “inactive” peace officer license in the State of Minnesota, meaning that the applicant has previously held an “active” license and is eligible to reactivate it in this state; OR C. Have successfully completed the MN POST Board approved professional Peace Officer education and skills requirements and passed the State of Minnesota “Peace Officer Licensing Examination” prior to their first day of employment; OR D. Have completed basic police training or certification requirements in another state with which Minnesota has reciprocity, meaning that an out-of-state applicant has been found to be eligible to take the licensing examination in Minnesota or who has left Minnesota law enforcement prior to licensing; or has relevant military experience, AND pass the MN POST reciprocity exam prior to their first day of employment. U.S. Citizen Valid State of Minnesota driver’s license or equivalent out-of-state license. Shall not have been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state or in any federal jurisdiction, or any offense in any other state or federal jurisdiction, which would have been a felony if committed in this state. Is not required to register as a predatory offender. Has not been convicted of an offense that would prohibit licensure by the MN POST Board. Must be free from any physical or psychological condition which might adversely affect the performance of the duties required of the position of Police Officer. STATE REQUIREMENT BEFORE EFFECTIVE DATE OF APPOINTMENT Must be a licensed MN Peace Officer or eligible to be licensed by the State of Minnesota pursuant to MN Statute View phone number on click.appcast.io and MN RULES 6700.0100 – 6700.1900. Eligible to be licensed is defined as having completed the academic and skills training required by Minnesota Statutes. You will be asked to attach a photocopy of your license, or your POST letter of eligibility to your application. If you are unfamiliar with Minnesota's licensing system, please contact the Minnesota POST Board at View phone number on click.appcast.io or visit the MN POST Board website. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Every licensed peace officer is required by MN RULES 6700.1000 to complete forty-eight (48) hours of Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board approved education during each three-year licensing period. SCOPE AND SCORING OF EXAMINATIONS This is a continuous, phased civil service testing process. Each qualified applicant for the position of Police Officer shall complete the following: PHASE I – TESTING ASSESSMENT AND INITIAL SCREENING INTERVIEW Testing Assessment Initial Screening Interview Applicants meeting minimum requirements will be asked to complete a testing assessment and initial interview designed to provide insight into a candidate’s attitudes, values, that align with the core mission, vision, and values of the Department. The interview that assigns value to education, experience, knowledge, skills, competencies and abilities that relate most closely to the duties and responsibilities of the job and the needs of the Department. Candidates who have obtained passing scores shall be placed on the application register based on their initial screening interview cumulative score for these steps, adjusted for veterans’ preference. A candidate’s name shall remain on the application or eligibility register for no longer than one year from the date they are placed in either the application or eligibility register. PHASE II – IN-DEPTH ORAL INTERVIEW, JOB RELATED PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND AGILITY EXAM, AND BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION Phase II testing consists of completion of the job-related physical strength and agility exam, an in-depth oral interview, and an interview with the Chief. Only the top scoring applicants from the Phase I application register will be invited to participate in Phase II. The oral interview will be administered by a panel of evaluators. Candidates will be given a raw score on the interview. Telephone interviews will NOT be permitted. The Phase I steps shall have the following weights assigned: Physical strength and agility Pass/Fail Panel interview 80% Chief’s Interview 20% The candidates passing Phase II shall be placed on an eligibility register based on cumulative scores for Phase II, adjusted for veterans’ preference. The top-ranking candidates on the eligibility register must also pass the in-depth background investigation prior to conditional appointment by the Mayor. The Commission may abolish the application or eligibility register at any time deemed appropriate. PHASE III The Mayor’s appointment shall be conditional upon each candidate’s successful completion of the medical and psychological evaluations. CONDITIONAL APPOINTMENT STATUS In order to comply with the Minnesota POST Board appointment requirements and the Minnesota Human Rights Act, the Mayor’s appointment shall be conditioned upon the candidate’s successful completion of the medical and psychological examinations, use of force training, and eligibility for licensure by the Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board. The medical and psychological examinations shall be completed and approved prior to the candidate beginning employment with the City. The use of force training shall be completed during the first 30 days of employment and prior to the effective date of the appointment and the swearing in of the candidate as a Police Officer. A candidate not completing the use of force training may be removed by the Commission using the process outlined in Section 13A. PROBATIONARY PERIOD Upon appointment, a Police Officer is subject to successful completion of a one (1) year probationary period as outlined in Section 20A. Probationary Period of the Rochester Police Civil Service Rules and Regulations. COMPENSATION 2026 starting salary of $40.52/hour, with advancement to $56.17/hour, pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Rochester, Minnesota and Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local #194. ROCHESTER POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION #J-18808-Ljbffr