Police Department recruitment

2023 Pay range

$32.72 - $42.08 (top pay $50.95) per hour with starting pay incentives for previous law enforcement experience. 1% lump sum payment for proficiency in a second language.

Education incentive

Employees possessing a Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited college or university shall have a wage rate that is 1% higher than the amounts above. Incentivized pay is provided for specialty assignments, i.e. FTO, instructors.

Special assignment opportunities

• 21 member ERU Team
• Crisis Negotiations Team
• Bomb Squad
• 7 K9 officers (6 street, 1 narcotic)
• 24 member Investigative Unit (take home car)
• Crime Prevention Unit
• Traffic Unit
• Mall of America/South Loop Unit 2 sergeants, 10 officers and 1 detective
• Training Unit with 50 collateral duty instructor positions for Firearms, Use of Force, Reality Based, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Taser
• Robust training budget
• Field Training Officer

In addition to an excellent benefits package, officers receive:

• $1150 uniform allowance
• 112 holiday hours
• 480 max vacation (over 21 years of service) 84 hours annually
• 480 max compensation time (in lieu of overtime pay)
• 8.67 hours of personal leave per month with balances over 1000 hours converted to a health care savings plan
• .25 hours of straight time in addition to shift hours for roll call training
• 3 hour minimum for call backs
• Contractual overtime opportunities

Steps to join our team

• Application submission
• 2-3 interviews
• Background
• Standard medical exam and psychological assessment

*Customizable/accelerated field training program based upon prior experience and competency. 

What is pathways to policing?

A program designed to bring candidates into the field of law enforcement, thereby removing barriers for those who wish to enter the career. Specifically, candidates with cultural competency skills and tools and those who experience living or working with culturally diverse populations will be given preference in order to more closely align departments with the communities they serve.

• No prior law enforcement training or experience required but must have a two or four-year regionally accredited college degree in any field of study
• Earn pay and benefits while attending full-time schooling for approximately 22 weeks.
• All source fees and equipment are provided and paid for.
• Upon graduation and successful completion of the POST licensure, trainees will be promoted to probationary sworn police officers.

Special assignment opportunities

• 21 member SWAT Team
• Crisis Negotiations Team
• Bomb Squad
• 7 K9 officers (6 street, 1 narcotic)
• 24 member Investigative Unit (take home car)
• Crime Prevention Unit
• Traffic Unit
• Mall of America/South Loop Unit 2 sergeants, 10 officers and 1 detective
• Training Unit with 50 collateral duty instructor positions for Firearms, Use of Force, Reality Based, Emergency Vehicle Operation, Taser
• Robust training budget
• Field Training Officer (1 hour of straight pay per shift based on current rate)

In addition to an excellent benefits package, officers receive:

• $1,050 uniform allowance
• 104 holiday hours
• 480 max vacation
• 480 max compensation time (in lieu of overtime pay)
• 8.67 hours of personal leave per month with balances over 1000 hours converted to a health care savings plan
• .25 hours of straight time in addition to shift hours for roll call training
• 3 hour minimum for call backs
• Contractual overtime opportunities

What is a police cadet?

Individuals academically pursuing a future career in law enforcement are needed to fill positions of Police Cadet. This position is identified as an apprenticeship for individuals who will provide various support services to the Police Department. Bloomington Police Cadets have the opportunity to be promoted to the position of Police Officer upon completion of their current academic program.

• This position is not designed to be long-term. 
• Police Cadets must be attending a minimum of 3/4 enrollment in a post-secondary law enforcement program or college level courses in criminal justice or related field. 
• Opportunity to be promoted to police officer following an application process.

Minimum qualifications

• High School graduate or G.E.D. equivalent
• Valid driver's license
• Currently enrolled in a post-secondary law enforcement program or college level courses in criminal justice, police science or related subjects

Desirable qualifications

• Experience in police related work such as police reserve, police explorer, or police cadet program; or criminal justice internship
• Prior Community Service Officer or Cadet experience with another agency
• Paid or volunteer experience working with animals
• One year or more of public contact or customer service experience

Benefits and pay at a glance

• Part-time, non-exempt, non-union earn Paid Time Off
• Schedule anticipated to average 25 hours per week.
• Uniform provided

The role of a dispatcher

This critical role serves as the vital communications link between the public needing help and emergency services response. Dispatchers are typically the first point of contact when a person reaches out for help. This entails a candidate to be able to work independently in a high stress environment while receiving and evaluating incoming emergency and administrative requests for emergency services, including but not limited to law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS); triaging those requests for service; providing guidance and assistance to the public in lifesafety situations; and coordinating appropriate responses to high-risk, highstress operations, with the objective of keeping all participants safe.

Steps to joining our team

• Application submission
• Application review
• Critical test
• Select Advantage test
• Interview
• Sit-along
• Chiefs Interview
• Background
• Standard medical exam
• Psychological assessment

In addition to an excellent benefits package, dispatchers receive:

• 104 holiday hours
• 8.67 hours of personal leave per month with balances over 1000 hours converted to a health care savings plan
• Vacation accrual based on years of service
• .25 hours of over time for roll call training
• Step 1 starting wage of $30.35 per hour.
• Applicants with 2-3 years of experience may be considered at a higher step.
• Overtime opportunities

Explorers Program

The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) has a long history of being a leader in Minnesota law enforcement and has one of the most wide-ranging and sophisticated service capabilities of any department in the state. The Explorers program is for 14-20 YO's with meetings on Thursday nights mid Sept - April. Hands-on training, demonstrations, community engagement, competitions and more! Info meeting Wed., Sept 13 @ 7pm. Bloomington Police, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd.

Explorers Application

More information 

The Bloomington Police Reserves are a dedicated team of volunteers who assist the Bloomington Police Department by donating their time and effort to the city and the community.  Volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds.  Some individuals are interested in a law enforcement career while others wish to provide worthwhile community service that contributes to the safety and security of Bloomington.

Full information of the Reserves Program here under Police Reserve Unit.

What people say about working here

"The variety of specialty opportunities at Bloomington were important for me to feel I could have a long and interesting career at one department." -BPD officer

"Every day is different and we're a great team that likes to have fun too." -PD dispatcher

"Treating our community with respect is the utmost importance to me and I value working in an environment where respect is foundational to everything we do." -BPD Commander

"We are a family here at BPD; we care for our community, we care for each other. If we are the most respectful, we will be the most respected agency in the country." -Chief Hodges

Our Fitness Room

Our department encourages staff to exercise, stay healthy and reduce stress levels. Having an on-site fitness center gives staff the opportunity to partake in and maintain a healthy lifestyle.