Police Officer

Salary: $45.06 - $52.40 Hourly
Location : Columbia Heights Public Safety Bldg., 825 41st Ave. NE, Columbia Heights, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00023
Department: Police
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 6/28/2026 11:59 PM Central


Description

Join an Award-Winning Force
The Columbia Heights Police Department (CHPD) is recognized for its dedication to community policing and innovative crime prevention . We're seeking motivated, community-oriented individuals to join our team and help us continue to build strong relationships and maintain the safety and well-being of our residents.

Who We're Looking For
The Columbia Heights Police Department welcomes lateral officers and new recruits who are ready to make a difference.
Preference will be given to experienced officers and new law enforcement graduates , but applicants with a college degree who are looking to transition into a law enforcement career are also encouraged to apply.
Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly pay: $45.06-$52.40
• Lateral pay and vacation accrual based on prior experience
• Longevity pay: $168/month after 2 years (increases at 4, 8, 10, and 12 years)
• Bilingual pay: $150/month
• Instructor pay and specialty assignment compensation (up to $250/month)
• 104 hours of holiday pay per year
• Vacation accrual: 120 hours in the first year
• Excellent PERA retirement plan and optional 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Comprehensive medical and dental benefits
• Officer-in-Charge and FTO shift pay
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness-focused benefits, including on-duty gym access

Specialty Units & Opportunities

• Drone Team
• Mobile Field Force
• Drug Task Force (DTF)
• Investigations
• School Resource Officer (SRO)
• Community Policing Officer (COP)
• SWAT Team
• Use-of-Force / Firearms Instructor
• Street Crimes Unit
• Violent Offender Task Force
• Traffic Unit

Why Columbia Heights PD?

• Strong community support and engagement
• Cutting-edge technology and equipment
• Leadership training and advancement opportunities
• Commitment to officer wellness and innovation

Examples of Duties

1. Understand and apply the Community Oriented policing philosophy of the Columbia Heights Police Department in the performance of police duties.
2. Patrols the City, on foot or in a vehicle, to preserve law and order, prevent and discover commission of crime, apprehend criminals and offenders, and to enforce vehicle and traffic laws, directs traffic, and enforces parking ordinances.
3. Provides a variety of information pertaining to the City and surrounding areas; gives directions and advises the public as to regulations, ordinances, where to obtain requested information, and locations of buildings, businesses, and residents; answers other questions.
4. Maintains a peaceful climate throughout the City; responds to domestic complaints; prevents loitering, responds to nuisance calls pertaining to stray animals, excessive noise, trespassing, and others; attempts to prevent potential troublesome situations.
5. Conducts detailed and thorough investigations of criminal offenses including burglaries, robberies, vandalisms, assaults, and other crimes and checks a variety of sources for stolen property; apprehends and arrests violators; makes a thorough search of crime scene for evidence or clues gathered, and protects evidence; searches for and apprehends violators; takes pictures; serves papers; conducts interviews.
6. Answers fire, accident, and other calls; mediates domestic disputes; delivers official city communications; assists victims and their families and friends; monitors residences of out-of-town citizens; prepares case, complaint, and shift reports; conducts preliminary investigations.
7. Provide credible testimony and/or evidence at trials, hearings, and before grand juries, as required.
8. Maintain strong code of ethics of the highest standard of conduct while on and off duty.
9. May perform lead work duties as required.
10. Performs special assignments such as those relating to school patrol or bicycle safety programs.
11. Performs other work as required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Must be licensed or eligible to be licensed as a full time police officer in the State of Minnesota at the time of hire.
• Two or more years of work experience of a high public contact nature.
• Valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record or the ability to acquire a valid Minnesota driver's license within 30 days of employment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, or related field.
• Two or more years work experience performing police work or police support duties.

Knowledges, Skills, And Abilities:

• Knowledge of the basic objectives of law enforcement and community relations.
• Knowledge of the general statutes, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to police work.
• Working knowledge of the problems and techniques employed in developing effective community and public relations.
• Working knowledge of firearms and first-aid procedures.
• Ability to cope with a variety of crisis and non-crisis situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of citizens.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to provide credible testimony and/or evidence at trials, hearings and before grand juries, as required.
• Ability to learn and apply modern police procedures and techniques, principles of investigation and interrogation, and applicable laws and ordinances.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper courses of action under a variety of circumstances dealing with the entire spectrum of human behavior.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to write and speak effectively.
• Ability to learn and effectively operate all equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Physical strength and agility, good general intelligence, and emotional stability sufficient to meet police duty requirements.

Supplemental Information

Ready to serve a community that supports you?
Apply today at columbiaheightsmn.gov/employment
or contact View email address on click.appcast.io for more information.


--AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER-- M/F/V/H

The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or the provision of services.
Full time Benefits with a City contribution are offered for this position.
01


Please assist us in evaluating your experience and abilities by answering the following questions. An incomplete questionnaire may reduce your opportunity for employment with the City of Columbia Heights. What attracted you to the Columbia Heights Police Department and the Columbia Heights community, and why do you feel you would be a good fit as a Police Officer with the City?
02


What originally attracted you to a career in law enforcement? How do you anticipate being a Police Officer in the City of Columbia Heights fulfilling those career ideals?
03


What traits do you have that will make you an outstanding Police Officer with the Columbia Heights Police Department? Please provide specific traits, and examples of how those traits have been put to use in other applicable situations.
04


Please list any volunteer experience you've had within the last ten years. Be specific.
05


Describe your experience working in a multi-cultural (diverse) environment. Be specific, including number of years, where, and how the experience was acquired.
06


Describe your experience working with at-risk youth. Be specific, including number of years, where, and how the experience was acquired.
07


Please check the box for the statement which is applicable to your present status.

• I am currently licensed as a full-time Police Officer in the State of Minnesota.
• I am currently eligible to be licensed as a full-time Police Officer in the State of Minnesota. I took and passed the Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Examination. (Enter date below)
• I am currently scheduled to take the Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Examination ( Enter date below)
• I will be eligible to take the Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Examination. (Enter date below)
• Other: None of the above statements apply to my present status. (Please explain below)

08


Insert Examination Date, Eligibility Date or explanation of license status for the option selected above.
09


Were you referred for this position by an employee of the City of Columbia Heights?

• Yes
• No

10


If you were referred for this position by an employee of the City of Columbia Heights, please provide the name of the employee who referred you.
11


To the best of my knowledge, the information contained in this supplemental questionnaire is accurate and true. I understand that misrepresentation of facts will be cause for cancellation of consideration for employment or dismissal if employed.

• I have read and understand the above statement.

Required Question