Police Careers & Opportunities

Insurance

Retirement

• Newly hired officers will be assigned to the Patrol Division. The Patrol Division works a 12-hour schedule with four days on and four days off.  The standard work year is 2,184 hours. Two patrol platoons work rotating schedules, one works permanent day shifts and one works permanent night shifts.
• There is no prescribed residency requirement for Police Department employees. Officers are able to live within whatever commuting distance they find tolerable.
• Applicants do not need to be MN POST licensed to submit an employment application. An applicant must be eligible to be licensed as a police officer in Minnesota no later than 30 days after date of hire. 
• Applicants who are licensed as police officers in other states or who have served as military police for five years or more may be eligible to take the MN POST license reciprocity examination.
• We recommend that you check with the MN POST Board for details concerning license eligibility and reciprocity issues.

Police Agility Test

The Police Agility Test must be completed in four minutes or less. View information on the physical control machine/simulator used in the test. 

Cadets work part-time to assist with community and department needs such as assisting with traffic control, parking enforcement and community events (4th of July fireworks, Thursdays on 1st, Concert in the Park, Rochesterfest, and National Night Out), vehicle escorts, ride-alongs with Police Officers and Community Service Officers (CSOs), clerical duties as assigned, and community outreach programs.

For more information, email aschumacher@rochestermn.gov.

The Rochester Police Department has a Police Explorer program/post designed to give young people an opportunity to explore a career in law enforcement or a related field in the criminal justice system.

Explorers get a first-hand look at the policing profession through community events, ride-alongs and training activities. They also have an opportunity to participate in skills competitions.

Candidates must submit an application and complete an oral interview. 

To learn more about Police Explorers or to apply, contact one of the advisors: Officer Matt Venteicher (mventeicher@rochestermn.gov, 507-993-6929) or Officer Alex Kendrick (akendrick@rochestermn.gov).

History of Exploring

Exploring, which originated as part of the Boy Scouts in 1935, includes hands-on programs that provide young adults an opportunity to explore a specific career. There are several other posts in the Rochester area, including ones at Mayo Clinic, the Rochester Fire Department, and the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office.   

RPD's Exploring Post 12 is in honor of Officer Floyd Haley's badge number. Officer Haley was killed in the line of duty in 1967 when he interrupted a burglary.

Interns must have a high school diploma or the equivalent (GED), be at least 18 years old, and be enrolled in a two or four-year Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice AAS or BA/BS program. Interns often observe law enforcement professionals in day-to-day activities, participate in training exercises, interact with community members and law enforcement professionals, and perform other duties as assigned or necessary. For more information, email: jthompson@rochestermn.gov.

The Rochester Police Department is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. View our department's Equal Employment Opportunity Short Form.

For questions about initial training, work schedules, specialty assignments, etc., please contact the Police Department Staff Development Unit:

• Phone: (507) 328-6896
• Email: rpdjobs@rochestermn.gov

For questions regarding the application process, employee benefits, hiring schedules, etc., please contact our Human Resources Department:

• Phone: (507) 328-2311
• Email: humanresources@rochestermn.gov