Salary : $74,568.00 - $94,452.80 Annually
Location : Law Enforcement Center - 613 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Police
Division: Police - Patrol
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: 9/2/2026 4:00 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: POL

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation, and related law enforcement activities.

Supervision Received

• Works under the general supervision of the Police Sergeant assigned to the shift and under the general guidance of the Captain and the Chief of Police.

Supervision Exercised

• None.

In addition to base wages, eligible Police Officers may receive:

• Education Incentive: 2% for a qualifying bachelor's degree or 4% for a qualifying master's degree in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice.
• Premium & Shift Pay: Additional hourly premium pay, including $1.75 per hour for qualifying evening and overnight hours.
• Overtime & Special Assignments: Time-and-one-half for qualifying overtime, with additional compensation for on-call, court appearances, Field Training Officer duties, and other qualifying assignments.
• Senior Officer Pay: $2.50 per hour when serving as the senior officer on duty when no patrol sergeant is on duty.
• Physical Fitness Incentive: $250 annually for employees who meet the contractual physical fitness standard.
• Longevity Pay: Additional compensation for qualifying employees who have reached the end of the pay scale and completed at least 10 years of service as a licensed police officer.
• Holiday Pay: Additional compensation for qualifying holiday work, including premium rates for designated holidays.

Additional compensation is subject to the eligibility requirements and provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement and City policies. Compensation is subject to change through future collective bargaining agreements.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Patrols by foot, bicycle or vehicle the city streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations, and to otherwise serve and protect.
• Responds to non-emergency and emergency calls for service involving violations of laws or ordinances, medical emergencies, accidents, civil disputes and general requests for assistance.
• Proactively works to perform security patrols, parking enforcement, traffic enforcement, interdiction, compliance checks and other criminal investigations.
• Responds to accidents, fires, natural disasters or other emergencies to assist with rescue, emergency first aid, searches, scene or crowd control and provides traffic control.
• Works an assigned shift using independent judgment in deciding the best course of action and is expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
• Maintains normal availability by radio, mobile computer or telephone.
• Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and codes.
• Conducts investigations for all levels of crime committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victim, witnesses and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scene of crimes for clues. Analyzes, evaluates and collects evidence necessary to solve crimes and arrests offenders.
• Prepares complete and accurate reports and forms for calls for service and in preparation for giving testimony in court proceedings.
• Maintains proficiency and sufficient knowledge base regarding new or updated laws, regulations regarding searches and seizures, city and department policy, and operational procedures.
• Maintains police officer license by completing necessary continuing education requirements such as firearms qualification, emergency vehicle operation, defensive tactics, first aid, CPR and automated defibrillator use, use of force and other law enforcement related subjects.
• Responds to complaints concerning animal problems or violations of animal control ordinances, including but not limited to animals running at large, bites, property damage, or injuries. Oversees quarantine of biting domestic animals.
• Undertakes community-oriented police work including crime prevention, neighborhood watch, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), traffic safety, child restraint education, public speaking and community events.
• Coordinates activities and exchanges information with other officers, community groups or other city departments as needed. Obtains advice from the City Attorney, County Attorney, and Court Administrator regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
• Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about department activities.

Peripheral Duties

• Coordinates and promotes The Volunteers in Police Service to include Police Reserves, Citizen Patrol, Explores, Neighborhood Crime Prevention Programs and Neighborhood Watch Programs and citizen volunteers.
• Establish, maintain and utilize a Social Media presence in the community on behalf of the Bemidji Police Department. Media content includes crime prevention tips, trends, highlights of department involvements, investigations, assistance from the public and information regarding animals in the city impound.
• Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Maintains operation of the city animal impound facility to including records of all the impounded animals, daily care of the animals, routine cleaning and maintenance of the facility, recommends purchases for items concerning animal control. Coordinates a public relations program in order to foster public awareness of ordinances regarding animal control and humane treatment of animals; works closely with the media, public interest groups and businesses to promote improved care and control of animals.
• Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operating activities.
• Diagnose and trouble shoot issues related to computer hardware and software involving the Records Management System, computer databases and mobile computers.
• Serves as a member of various employee, city and community committees.
• Serves in specialized assignments such as Field Training Officer (FTO), Bike Patrol, auto theft investigator, community service officer, SWAT team, narcotics agent, DARE, school liaison officer or instructors such as Defensive tactics, EVOC and firearms, as directed or assigned by the Police Chief.
• Provides security patrol to entities under contract with the City.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent, supplemented by a minimum two (2) year community college degree or vocational school training in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice administration, public administration, or a related field; or
• Licensed Police Officer in the State of Minnesota; or
• Eligible to be licensed as allowed by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.
• Skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below.
• Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and Department rules and regulations.
• Ability to meet department's physical standards and perform work requiring good physical condition.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.
• Ability to learn the City's geography.

Special Requirements

• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid MN Driver's License without record of suspension or revocation in any state.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and be able to speak, read, and write the English language.
• Must successfully complete the Field Training Officer Program.
• Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.
• Must possess and maintain Basic First Aid, AED and CPR certifications.
• Must be clear of disqualifying convictions or disqualifying criminal history.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Tools & Equipment Used

• Police car, police radio, various speed detection radar units, stop stix, handgun, shotgun, rifle and other weapons as required, Taser, handcuffs, data master, preliminary breath tester, pager, first aid equipment, defibrillator, laptop computer, tint meter, pepper spray, camera, cellular telephone, computer software and hardware, bicycle, etc.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than one hundred (100) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee may work near moving mechanical parts, in high precarious places, and near vehicles traveling at high speeds. The employee is routinely exposed to all types of weather conditions including extreme heat or extreme cold, wet, icy, snowy, windy, rainy and/or humid conditions.
• The employee is required to carry necessary safety equipment and take appropriate safety precautions at all times. The employee is required to wear protective body armor while on duty, which may cause significant discomfort in seasonal weather conditions.
• The employee may be exposed to injury, trauma, angry or violent individuals, animal bites, blood-borne or air borne diseases, traffic accidents, visual and emotional trauma may occasionally be exposed to dangerous or diseased animals, trash and garbage.
• The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Selection & Application Guidelines

• Formal application, review of education and experience. written test, Oral interview and a comprehensive background check.
• Psychological and physical examinations and drug or other job-related tests may be required.

Full-time and other eligible Employees are offered a variety of benefit options including:

• health insurance
• life insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• short and long-term disability insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• VEBA/HSA
• PERA (retirement) and/or deferred compensation contributions

With the exception of PERA (retirement) in certain qualifying situations, benefits are not offered to Part-time, Seasonal and Temporary employees or Volunteers.
The City contributes a pre-tax payment to a cafeteria plan that allows you to select from a variety of benefits, this cafeteria contribution is based on which health insurance coverage you select.
Single
$1,700 Employee cafeteria to buy benefits
+ $150 Cafeteria to VEBA/HSA
$ 1,850 Total
Employee+Children
$1,850 Employee cafeteria to buy benefits
+ $100 Cafeteria to VEBA/HSA
$ 1,950 Total
Family
$1,900 Employee cafeteria to buy benefits
+ $100 Cafeteria to VEBA/HSA
$ 2,000 Total
01

Indicate your current Minnesota Peace Officers Standards Training (POST) Board licensing status. (Review POST standards at https://mn.gov/post/applicants/generalinformation/ )If you answered "POST Licensed" or "POST Eligible," a copy of the license or eligibility letter must be attached to this application.

• POST Licensed (attach license to application)
• POST Eligible (attach eligibility letter to application)
• Unknown

02

If you are not Minnesota POST Board licensed or eligible, indicate which route for licensure you believe applies to your situation and provide pertinent details (Information about licensure routes can be found at https://mn.gov/post/applicants/generalinformation/).
03

Describe any experience working and communicating with co-workers, supervisors, community leaders, other agencies, and the general public.
04

Indicate your highest level of education, your area of study and degree(s) attained or in progress. Include any other courses, or skills programs that would be beneficial to this position.
05

What are the traits of a good peace officer?
06

Describe in detail any experience working with a law enforcement agency.