Police Officer - City of Columbia Heights, MN : Job Details

Salary: $43.33 - $50.42 HourlyLocation : Columbia Heights, MNJob Type: Full-timeJob Number: 2024-00050Department: PoliceOpening Date: 11/06/2024Closing Date: 12/31/2024 11:59 PM CentralDescription The Columbia Heights Police Department is an international-award-winning agency looking for Police Officers from a diverse range of backgrounds and years of experience to join its team.We are looking for:

• current officers for lateral positions, or
• those who are POST eligible at the time of appointment, or
• those who are interested in a career transition to Police Officer and who possess a degree in another field from an accredited university.

This is general duty police work involving the enforcement of laws and ordinances, the maintenance of general order in the city, and the performance of a variety of public relations duties. Work involves responsibility for performing a variety of informational and public relations duties relative to maintaining general order and a peaceful climate throughout the city. Work also involves responsibility for the protection of life and property, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, and the enforcement of laws and ordinances on an assigned shift. Work is performed in accordance with department rules and regulations and consists of routine patrol, investigative, or traffic regulation duties. Work occasionally involves personal danger and employees must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise judgment in meeting emergency situations. Assignments, general, and special instructions are generally received from Police Supervisors, who review work methods and results through reports, observations, and discussion. Examples of Duties Essential Job Functions:

Understand and apply the Community Oriented policing philosophy of the Columbia Heights Police Department in the performance of police duties.

Patrols the City, on foot or in a vehicle, to preserve law and order, prevent and discover commission of crime, apprehend criminals and offenders, and to enforce vehicle and traffic laws, directs traffic, and enforces parking ordinances.

Provides a variety of information pertaining to the City and surrounding areas; gives directions and advises the public as to regulations, ordinances, where to obtain requested information, and locations of buildings, businesses, and residents; answers other questions.

Maintains a peaceful climate throughout the City; responds to domestic complaints; prevents loitering, responds to nuisance calls pertaining to stray animals, excessive noise, trespassing, and others; attempts to prevent potential troublesome situations.

Conducts detailed and thorough investigations of criminal offenses including burglaries, robberies, vandalisms, assaults, and other crimes and checks a variety of sources for stolen property; apprehends and arrests violators; makes a thorough search of crime scene for evidence or clues gathered, and protects evidence; searches for and apprehends violators; takes pictures; serves papers; conducts interviews.

Answers fire, accident, and other calls; mediates domestic disputes; delivers official city communications; assists victims and their families and friends; monitors residences of out-of-town citizens; prepares case, complaint, and shift reports; conducts preliminary investigations.

Provide credible testimony and/or evidence at trials, hearings, and before grand juries, as required.

Maintain strong code of ethics of the highest standard of conduct while on and off duty.

May perform lead work duties as required.

Performs special assignments such as those relating to school patrol or bicycle safety programs.

Performs other work as required.

QualificationsRequired Qualifications:

• Must be licensed or eligible to be licensed as a full time police officer in the State of Minnesota at the time of hire.
• Two or more years of work experience of a high public contact nature.
• Valid driver's license with satisfactory driving record or the ability to acquire a valid Minnesota driver's license within 30 days of employment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, or related field.
• Two or more years work experience performing police work or police support duties.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the basic objectives of law enforcement and community relations.
• Knowledge of the general statutes, ordinances, and regulations pertaining to police work.
• Working knowledge of the problems and techniques employed in developing effective community and public relations.
• Working knowledge of firearms and first-aid procedures.
• Ability to cope with a variety of crisis and non-crisis situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of citizens.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to provide credible testimony and/or evidence at trials, hearings and before grand juries, as required.
• Ability to learn and apply modern police procedures and techniques, principles of investigation and interrogation, and applicable laws and ordinances.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper courses of action under a variety of circumstances dealing with the entire spectrum of human behavior.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to write and speak effectively.
• Ability to learn and effectively operate all equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Physical strength and agility, good general intelligence, and emotional stability sufficient to meet police duty requirements.

Supplemental InformationBenefits of working at Columbia Heights

• Competitive Pay of $43.33 - $50.42 per hour (2025 rates). Ability to earn up to $60.56 per hour with longevity pay and additional compensation.
• Additional pay for bi-lingual Officers.
• Lateral Pay and vacation accrual based on experience
• Longevity Pay of $168 per month starts after 2 years of employment (increases after 4, 8, 10 and 12 years)
• Opportunities for additional time off and 104 hours of Holiday Pay per year
• Additional $250/month compensation for specialty positions (Investigations, SRO, DTF, COP)
• Excellent PERA retirement plan and optional 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Competitive benefit package for medical and dental
• Uniforms and equipment provided
• Officer-In-Charge and FTO Shift pay
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Opportunities includeDrone Team, Mobile Field Force, Drug Task Force, Investigations, School Resource Officer, Community Policing Officer, Field Training Officer, Use of Force and Firearms instructors, Street Crimes Unit
• Work Out On-Duty in On-Site Gym
• Focus on Wellness
• Great technology and Equipment

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F/V/HThe City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or the provision of services.Full time Benefits with a City contribution are offered for this position.01 Please assist us in evaluating your experience and abilities by answering the following questions. An incomplete questionnaire may reduce your opportunity for employment with the City of Columbia Heights. What attracted you to the Columbia Heights Police Department and the Columbia Heights community, and why do you feel you would be a good fit as a Police Officer with the City? 02 What originally attracted you to a career in law enforcement? How do you anticipate being a Police Officer in the City of Columbia Heights fulfilling those career ideals? 03 What traits do you have that will make you an outstanding Police Officer with the Columbia Heights Police Department? Please provide specific traits, and examples of how those traits have been put to use in other applicable situations. 04 Please list any volunteer experience you've had within the last ten years. Be specific. 05 Describe your experience working in a multi-cultural (diverse) environment. Be specific, including number of years, where, and how the experience was acquired. 06 Describe your experience working with at-risk youth. Be specific, including number of years, where, and how the experience was acquired. 07 Please check the box for the statement which is applicable to your present status.

• I am currently licensed as a full-time Police Officer in the State of Minnesota.
• I am currently eligible to be licensed as a full-time Police Officer in the State of Minnesota. I took and passed the Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Examination. (Enter date below)
• I am currently scheduled to take the Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Examination ( Enter date below)
• I will be eligible to take the Minnesota Peace Officer Licensing Examination. (Enter date below)
• Other: None of the above statements apply to my present status. (Please explain below)

08 Insert Examination Date, Eligibility Date or explanation of license status for the option selected above. 09 To the best of my knowledge, the information contained in this supplemental questionnaire is accurate and true. I understand that misrepresentation of facts will be cause for cancellation of consideration for employment or dismissal if employed.

• I have read and understand the above statement.

Required Question