Job Information
Police Employment - Updated August 9, 2008
Police Officer Positions - Now Accepting Applications
The City of Rochester is now accepting applications for the position of police officer. Applications will be accepted until at least September 7, 2008. We intend to hire five officers. Our target date to begin employment is December 4, 2008.
Electronic applications are preferred. Click here to access the online application process. Look for the "APPLY" hyperlink along the right side of the page.
If you would like to obtain a hard copy of the application you can do so by contacting our Human Resources Department by calling (507) 328-2555 or by visiting or writing our Human Resources Department at 201 4th St. SE, Rochester, MN 55904.
Submit an Electronic Job Interest Card
Whether actively interviewing or not, the Rochester Police Department is always looking for qualified recruits. If you are interested in employment opportunities with our Department then we encourage you to submit an electronic job interest card. This information will be maintained by the City of Rochester for a period of one year. It will be used to notify you of job opportunitites as they become available. This includes police department positions and opportunities in other city departments. Use this link to submit this information.
Nature of Work
General duty police work in protecting life and property, maintaining order, preventing crimes, apprehending criminals, and enforcing laws and ordinances in a manner consistent with our mission statement.
Use this link to view the job description for the position of police officer.
Compensation
2008 starting salary is $48,583 based upon $22.245 per hour and 2,184 hours per year. Top patrol salary is $64,744 calculated on 2,184 hours. Top salary is achieved after four years of service. Future negotiated contracts will be in effect within four years of hire so the actual salary after four years will be higher than stated here. Uniforms and essential uniform equipment are provided. This includes pants, shirts, badges, shoes, leather gear, handcuffs, flashlight, gun, portable radio, cell phone, digital recorders, body armor, mace, hat, jackets, rain gear, etc.
The Rochester Police Department may be able to bring in experienced officers at higher starting salaries than $48,543. It is possible for newly hired officers who come to us directly from other law enforcement agencies to start as high as $57,249 depending upon the nature of the previous experience and skills.
Click here to review the 2007-2009 LELS Police Contract.
Insurance
Officers are able to obtain family medical and dental coverage with the City of Rochester covering a substantial majority of the cost. The City provides life insurance for employees at no cost.
Retirement Benefits
Excellent retirement benefits are provided through the Minnesota Public Employee's Association Police & Fire Fund. There is a small employee contribution to the fund. There is an additional employer contribution. In general, retirement benefits are 3% of the average salary earned over the highest five earning years multiplied by the total number of years of service. Vested employees can retire at age 50 with minor penalties for early retirement or with full benefits at age 55. For more specific information contact the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association.
Optional employer-sponsored deferred compensation plans are available to supplement retirement benefits.
Work Schedule
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.
Residency Requirement
There is no prescribed residency requirement for Police Department employees. Officers are able to live within whatever commuting distance they find tolerable.
Size of Department
Budgeted for 130.5 sworn police personnel consisting of 1 Police Chief, 1 Deputy Chief, 3 Captains, 9 Lieutenants, 21 Sergeants, and 95 Police Officers. There are currently 50 non-sworn support staff and we are in the process of hiring another 16 people to serve as Community Service Officers. Our total full-time equivalent strength will then be 191.
Police Officer License & Out-of-state Reciprocity Testing
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.
Questions?
For questions about initial training, work schedules, specialty assignments, or other issues relating to the profession, the Rochester Police Department or police operations, etc., please contact the Police Department Staff Development Unit at (507) 328-6896. You can also send an email message to rpdjobs@rochestermn.gov.
For questions regarding employee benefits, hiring schedules, etc, please contact our Human Resources Department at (507) 328-2555. You can also send an email message to humanresources@rochestermn.gov.