Looking to take the next step in an exciting law enforcement career? The Saint Paul Police Department (SPPD) is accepting applications for our next selection process. Find out more about what it means to work for the SPPD and watch our video below.
Saint Paul Police Department Drone Video
At this time, we are accepting applications. We encourage you to apply now!
SPPD RECRUITMENT TEAM: Get to know us! The Saint Paul recruitment team is excited to learn how they can best support your law enforcement career aspirations. Please do not hesitate to reach out at 651-703-3100 or sppdrecruiting@stpaul.gov.
POLICE OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTION
- Performs community engagement work involving the safety and protection of the community. Builds trust and nurtures legitimacy between the police and the community.
- Works to preserve peace, regulate traffic, patrol assigned areas, provide emergency services, and monitor, prevent and control neighborhood crime.
- Initiates and participates in community engagement activities to foster positive community relationships.
- Maintains knowledge of the city, and is invested in and respects Saint Paul’s citizens, neighborhoods and cultures.
- Demonstrates empathy, accountability, and transparency to deliver trusted service with respect.
- Attends City meetings and consults with leaders in both business and residential communities.
For more information and essential functions, see our Police Officer Job Description.
Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of excellent benefits (Download PDF reader), including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time.
Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve. Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us. We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job.
Position Requirements
- Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and be licensed or eligible for licensure as a Peace Officer in the State of Minnesota.
- NOTE: If you are unsure about your eligibility for licensure as a Peace Officer in the State of Minnesota, we encourage you visit the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) here for more information. Upon application, we will contact you if we need additional information regarding your eligibility for licensure.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota Class D Driver’s License or equivalent out-of-state driver’s license.
- Must have no felony convictions, including pardons and/or expungements, criminal convictions of gross misdemeanor or equivalent level, physical assault, domestic assault, or eluding the police convictions.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to work any shift within a twenty-four-hour period, including weekends and holidays.
- Must take annual PT exam, all department required training, and meet regular firearms training qualifications.
- Must maintain P.O.S.T. licensure.
PLEASE NOTE:
- To be considered for employment by the Saint Paul Police Department, applicants must be licensed or eligible for licensure as a Peace Officer in the State of Minnesota. Therefore, qualified applicants who submit option “a” or option “b” from the list below and pass the oral interview assessment and qualifications rating will be eligible for employment consideration with the department.
- Qualified applicants who submit option c, d, or e from the list below and pass the oral interview assessment will not be eligible for employment consideration until an additional letter demonstrating eligibility from Minnesota P.O.S.T. is received by the Office of Human Resources.
- Experienced law enforcement officers trained outside of Minnesota interested in obtaining employment as a peace officer in Minnesota may qualify to take the Reciprocity Licensing Examination. Interested out-of-state applicants must be scheduled for the Minnesota P.O.S.T. reciprocity exam to be considered for this position. More information on reciprocity may be found here.
- Applicants who are not licensed or eligible for licensure must be accepted into Skills, without condition, by the application deadline.
If you have questions about your P.O.S.T eligibility, please contact Minnesota P.O.S.T. at 651-643-3060 or postboard.agency.docs@state.mn.us.
How to Apply
- Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
- Upload or submit the following required documents via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
a. A letter of eligibility from the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)
b. A valid Minnesota Peace Officer License
c. A letter of acceptance into Skills or placement on a Skills waitlist
d. A letter verifying that you are scheduled to take the POST exam
e. A letter verifying that you are eligible to take the Minnesota POST reciprocity exam
First time applying online? Read our How to Apply Online Guide.
Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.
Learn more about our Hiring Process
Assessment Process: Qualifications Rating and Oral Interview
The Qualifications Rating is an assessment of your completed application and answers to the Supplemental Questionnaire. Be as specific and detailed as possible in completing your application and questionnaire. You must submit your completed application and supplemental questionnaire by the application deadline. This portion is worth 30% of your total score.
In the Oral Interview assessment, a panel of interviewers will ask you structured questions about your past experiences handling specific situations, as well as character traits desirable to the position. The questions are designed to measure the degree in which you possess the characteristics identified as important to successful performance on the job. This portion is worth 70% of your total score.
Calculation of the Final Score = (Qualifications Rating x .30) + (Oral Interview x .70)
Oral interview assessment dates: Tuesday, January 13, and Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- Eligible applicants who apply before November 7, 2025, will be notified by the week of November 17, 2025, to schedule their oral interview assessment on either the January 13 or January 14, 2025, interview dates. All other applicants who apply from November 10 through the application deadline will be notified to schedule their oral interview assessment in a timely manner.
If you have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, you may be eligible for accommodation in the assessment process. Please contact Ellen Friedman at 651-266-6533 or ellen.friedman@stpaul.gov.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Open Job Posting: This posting is open to anyone who meets the position requirements.
Eligible Lists: Eligible lists are typically created from a pass/fail assessment. Those who pass the assessment will be placed on an eligible list for approximately six months. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list.
Final Selection Process: You must receive a score of 75% or higher to pass the assessment and be considered for the position. Those who pass will be placed on an eligible list and all will be notified of their status. A Hiring Manager will consider those applicants eligible for hire. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.
Pre-Employment Screening: This position requires a comprehensive medical examination including a drug test, psychological assessment, and a thorough Saint Paul Police background check including criminal history and employment history as a condition of employment.
Continued employment and appointment to the position of Police Officer is contingent upon successful completion of the 16-week Recruit Academy and probationary period. A critical element to successful completion of the 16-week Recruit Academy is the physical fitness test. See details of the minimum physical fitness standards cadets are required to meet on the City’s website by clicking this link.
Continued employment is also contingent upon passing a probationary period of 2080 work hours in the position of Police Officer following successful completion of the Recruit Academy.
Human Resources Contact Information:
Ellen Friedman at 651-266-6533
Email: ellen.friedman@stpaul.gov
Veteran’s Preference: If you are a veteran and would like to receive Veteran’s preference in accordance with MN Statute 197.455, you must submit a photocopy of your DD214 preferably at time of application. Click here for more information.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Employer
City of Saint Paul
Address
25 West Fourth Street, Suite 200 City Hall Annex
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55102
Phone
651-266-6500
Website