Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I become a police officer in Minnesota?

   There are three routes to Peace Officer Licensure in Minnesota

   ROUTE 1: FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE A POSTSECONDARY DEGREE 

   The requirements for taking Minnesota’s Peace Officer Licensing Examination are:

   • Earn a postsecondary degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and
   • Successfully complete a board-approved Professional Peace Officer Education program.

   Both can be accomplished at any of thirty Minnesota POST Board certified schools listed on the  Professional Peace Officer Education Directory.  For information about things to consider when choosing a school click Choosing a School.

   ROUTE 2: FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE A DEGREE* 

   People who have earned a degree from a regionally accredited college or university do not need to complete another degree even if their degree is not related to criminal justice or law enforcement. They do, however, need to complete the professional peace officer education provided by a POST Board certified school. 

   Some POST certified schools have special programs especially intended to meet the needs of people who already have a degree.  For more information on these special programs see Peace Officer Education Programs for Degree Holders  or go to Professional Peace Officer Education Directory for the full list of certified schools.

   * Note: Degrees from nationally accredited schools do not meet the degree requirement for licensure.  For more information about regional accreditation of postsecondary schools and to see if your school is regionally accredited click Regional Accreditation.

   ROUTE 3: FOR PEOPLE WITH PEACE OFFICER EXPERIENCE IN ANOTHER STATE AND/OR MILITARY EXPERIENCE 

   People who have peace officer experience in another state or the military and have been working in law enforcement within the past six years may qualify to take the Minnesota Reciprocity Licensing Examination without having to complete additional education.

   Qualifications for taking the reciprocity exam are:

   • ​Complete basic police training in another state or federal law enforcement, and either:
     • A post-secondary degree and three years of experience working as an officer, or 
     • Five years of peace officer experience,

   OR​

   • Meet the requirements for military reciprocity which are:
     • Have four years of cumulative experience in a law enforcement occupational specialty, or
     • Possess a post-secondary from a regionally accredited school and have at least two years cumulative experience in a law enforcement occupational specialty, or
     • Experience as a full-time peace officer in another state combined with years of experience in a military law enforcement occupational totaling four years (SPPD-specific)

   Visit Reciprocity and Military Reciprocity Licensing for additional information.  

   Visit How to Become an Officer on the MN POST Board website for further information on education and licensing standards and/or requirements.

2. What are the employment pathway programs available at the SPPD?

   Non-Sworn Civilian Positions (Entry Programs)

   • Community Engagement Cadet (LECPA – Law Enforcement Career Path Academy)
   • Community Liaison Officer
   • Parking Enforcement Officer

   Sworn Positions

   • Entry-Level Police Officer*
   • Lateral Police Officer*
     • * Must successfully complete SPPD Academy Program

   Volunteer Positions

   • Explorer
   • Reserve Officer

3. What are the qualifications for employment as a police officer with the SPPD?

   Police Officer Requirements:

   • You must be at least 21 years old by the date specified in the job announcement.
   • You must be a United States citizen.
   • You must have a valid Minnesota Driver's License (Class D), or equivalent out-of-state driver's license.
   • You must not have any criminal convictions of gross misdemeanor or the equivalent level.
   • You must not have any felony convictions; including pardons and/or expungements (according to Minnesota Statute 364.09).
   • You must not have any physical assault, domestic assault or eluding the police convictions.
   • You must be in good physical condition.
   • You must successfully complete a Saint Paul Police Department background investigation, psychological examination and a comprehensive medical examination including drug testing.
   • You must be Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) licensed or eligible to be licensed as a peace officer in the State of Minnesota by the date of conditional offer for employment.
   • If you have a college degree other than Law Enforcement, you must obtain a Law Enforcement Certificate from any eligible college/university in the State of Minnesota

4. If I am currently employed by another police department in Minnesota, how can I transfer to SPPD?

   To be eligible to transfer to SPPD under our Civil Service rules, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

   • At least 21 years old
   • Currently employed as a full-time Police Officer (or higher police department rank) by a public agency having a merit system.
   • Licensed as a Peace Officer in the state of Minnesota
   • One year experience as a Police Officer
   • Possess a valid Minnesota Class D driver's license, or equivalent out-of-state driver's license. The driver's license must have no suspensions or revocations for driving-related offenses within the two-year period prior to the date of appointment. Suspensions for parking-related offenses are excluded.

   If the above requirements are met, an applicant may apply for a Police Officer (Lateral Transfers) position posting at the City of Saint Paul’s website, www.stpaul.gov/jobs

5. What if I have been convicted of a crime? Does that make me ineligible to become a Saint Paul police officer?

   To be eligible for peace officer licensing in the State of Minnesota, you cannot have been convicted of certain crimes. Click here for a list of those crimes, as well as additional information about expungements and adjudications. 

   PPOE Program Eligibility - Criminal History Check.pdf (82.87 KB)

6. What are the medical standards to become a police officer?

   Please see the document below for more information

   SPPD Medical Standards_Guidelines 12.28.22.pdf (105.91 KB)

7. What benefits would a Saint Paul police officer receive?

   Please see the document below for more information:

   SPPD Benefit Summary.pdf (72.37 KB)

   For more information about City benefits, please click here.