GENERAL PURPOSE

Work where you want to live! Bemidji, MN is located in Northwest Minnesota and surrounded by hundreds of lakes, rivers and thousands of acres of public land. Bemidji is the regional hub for northwestern MN providing healthcare, education, retail, and entertainment. The cost of living for our area is lower than many metro areas and there is great availability for those looking to relocate to a private piece of land or a lake place!

Our officers perform police patrol, investigation, traffic regulation, and related law enforcement activities in our growing and busy city. Although our population is only 15,000 residents, our officers provide police service to our nearly 50,000 daily visitors and commuters. Interested applicants are encouraged to set up a ride along so you can see for yourself what a fun and supportive work environment the Bemidji Police Department can provide. Please contact Executive Administrative Assistant Melissa Jackson at 218-333-8053 for details.

Our department has ample opportunities for officer’s growth to include Field Training Officer, Firearms and Use of Force Instructor, Investigations, Drug Task Force Investigator, School Resource Officer, EVOC Instructor, Community Engagement Officer, SWAT Operator and Mobile Field Force Operator. Promotional opportunities include Detective, Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Captain and Chief of Police.

Police Officer pay range is $32.83 - $41.59/ hr. ($68,285.74 to $86,502.34 annually). Our department offers an excellent benefits package which includes a generous initial & annual uniform allowance; employer paid medical & dental plan available and low-cost family medical & dental coverage; 12 paid holidays (96 hours) + 8 hours of floating holiday time. Officers also earn paid time off (PTO) at a starting rate of 160 hours per year, increasing to 208 hours in just five years. In support of mental health our officers work an average of 14 days per month. This is a result of an 11-hour schedule in a 2 on, 2 off, 5 on 5 off rotation which creates a 5-day weekend every other week!

We also offer pay incentives such as an educational incentive of 2% pay increase for a bachelor’s degree and a 4% pay increase for a master’s degree, field training officer, any instructor, Officer in Charge, and shift differential pay.  

Lateral officers are strongly encouraged to apply.  Lateral officers starting wages and benefits will be evaluated based on previous law enforcement experience during the application process. The time to relocate is now! 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Patrols by foot, bicycle or vehicle the city streets, parks, commercial and residential areas to preserve the peace and enforce the law, control vehicular traffic, prevent or detect and investigate misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies and other law violations, and to otherwise serve and protect.
• Responds to non-emergency and emergency calls for service involving violations of laws or ordinances, medical emergencies, accidents, civil disputes and general requests for assistance.
• Proactively works to perform security patrols, parking enforcement, traffic enforcement, interdiction, compliance checks and other criminal investigations.
• Responds to accidents, fires, natural disasters or other emergencies to assist with rescue, emergency first aid, searches, scene or crowd control and provides traffic control.
• Works an assigned shift using independent judgment in deciding the best course of action and is expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
• Maintains normal availability by radio, mobile computer or telephone.
• Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and codes.
• Conducts investigations for all levels of crime committed during assigned shift. Seeks out and questions victim, witnesses and suspects. Develops leads and tips. Searches scene of crimes for clues. Analyzes, evaluates and collects evidence necessary to solve crimes and arrests offenders.
• Prepares complete and accurate reports and forms for calls for service and in preparation for giving testimony in court proceedings.
• Maintains proficiency and sufficient knowledge base regarding new or updated laws, regulations regarding searches and seizures, city and department policy, and operational procedures.
• Maintains police officer license by completing necessary continuing education requirements such as: firearms qualification, emergency vehicle operation, defensive tactics, first aid, CPR and automated defibrillator use, use of force and other law enforcement related subjects.
• Responds to complaints concerning animal problems or violations of animal control ordinances, including but not limited to animals running at large, bites, property damage, or injuries. Oversees quarantine of biting domestic animals.
• Undertakes community-oriented police work including crime prevention, neighborhood watch, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), traffic safety, child restraint education, public speaking and community events.
• Coordinates activities and exchanges information with other officers, community groups or other city departments as needed. Obtains advice from the City Attorney, County Attorney, and Court Administrator regarding cases, policies and procedures, as needed and assigned.
• Maintains contact with police supervisory personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides general information about department activities.

Peripheral Duties

• Coordinates and promotes The Volunteers in Police Service to include Police Reserves, Citizen Patrol, Explores, Neighborhood Crime Prevention Programs and Neighborhood Watch Programs and citizen volunteers.
• Establish, maintain and utilize a Social Media presence in the community on behalf of the Bemidji Police Department. Media content includes: crime prevention tips, trends, highlights of department involvements, investigations, assistance from the public and information regarding animals in the city impound.
• Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Maintains operation of the city animal impound facility to including: records of all the impounded animals, daily care of the animals, routine cleaning and maintenance of the facility, Recommends purchases for items concerning animal control. Coordinates a public relations program in order to foster public awareness of ordinances regarding animal control and humane treatment of animals; works closely with the media, public interest groups and businesses to promote improved care and control of animals.
• Maintains contact with general public, court officials, and other City officials in the performance of police operating activities.
• Diagnose and trouble shoot issues related to computer hardware and software involving the Records Management System, computer databases and mobile computers.
• Serves as a member of various employee, city and community committees.
• Serves in specialized assignments such as Field Training Officer (FTO), Bike Patrol, auto theft investigator, community service officer, SWAT team, narcotics agent, DARE, school liaison officer or instructors such as Defensive tactics, EVOC and firearms, as directed or assigned by the Police Chief.
• Provides security patrol to entities under contract with the City.
   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education & Experience 
  • High school diploma or GED equivalent, supplemented by a MINIMUM two (2) year community college degree or vocational school training in police science, law enforcement, criminal justice administration, public administration, or a related field, or
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Licensed Police Officer in the State of Minnesota or eligible to be licensed upon hire.
• Necessary Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment.
  • Skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below.
  • Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and Department rules and regulations.
  • Ability to meet department's physical standards and perform work requiring good physical condition.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers and supervisors.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
  • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
  • Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.
  • Ability to learn the City's geography.
• Special Requirements
  • Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid MN Driver's License without record of suspension or revocation in any state.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen and be able to speak, read, and write the English language.
  • Must successfully complete the Field Training Officer Program.
  • Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.
  • Must possess and maintain Basic First Aid, AED and CPR certifications.
  • Must be clear of disqualifying convictions or disqualifying criminal history.
  • Within six months of hire, must establish and maintain residency within 30 minutes (under normal driving conditions) of the law enforcement center.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION 

• Tools & Equipment Used
  • Police car, police radio, various speed detection radar units, stop stix, handgun, shotgun, rifle and other weapons as required, Taser, handcuffs, data master, preliminary breath tester, pager, first aid equipment, defibrillator, laptop computer, tint meter, pepper spray, camera, cellular telephone, computer software and hardware, bicycle, etc.
• Physical Demands
  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell.
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment
  • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
  • While performing the duties of this job the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee may work near moving mechanical parts, in high precarious places, and near vehicles traveling at high speeds. The employee is routinely exposed to all types of weather conditions including extreme heat or extreme cold, wet, icy, snowy, windy, rainy and/or humid conditions.
  • The employee is required to carry necessary safety equipment and take appropriate safety precautions at all times. The employee is required to wear protective body armor while on duty, which may cause significant discomfort in seasonal weather conditions.
  • The employee may be exposed to injury, trauma, angry or violent individuals, animal bites, blood-borne or air borne diseases, traffic accidents, visual and emotional trauma may occasionally be exposed to dangerous or diseased animals, trash and garbage.
  • The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.
• Selection Guidelines
  • Formal application, review of education and experience. written test, Oral interview and a comprehensive background check.
  • Psychological and physical examinations and drug or other job-related tests may be required.