How to Become a Police Officer
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To Protect With Courage, To Serve With Compassion
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Ways to Become a Police Officer
There are several ways to become a Police Officer in the State of Minnesota.
Complete a Degree Program
- Complete a two or four year Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice degree through a Professional Peace Officer Education program
- Pass the POST Licensing Exam
- Timeline: two to four years, depending on the program
Explore the links below to learn about becoming a police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department.
Complete a Certificate Program
This is for people who already have a two or four year degree in another field.
- Complete Law Enforcement certificate courses through a Professional Peace Officer Education program
- Pass the POST Licensing Exam
- Timeline: about nine months
Learn more about Local Law Enforcement Education.
Become an Officer through Out of State Reciprocity
If you have a post-secondary degree and 3 years of continuous law enforcement experience, or 5 years experience without a degree.
- Complete POST-approved basic police education course
- Pass the POST Reciprocity Exam
- Timeline: about two months to conclude qualification procedure and testing
Become an Officer through Military Reciprocity
- Must have 5 years of military police experience plus an honorable discharge
- Pass the POST Reciprocity Exam
- Timeline: about two months to finish qualification procedure and testing
Learn more
Contact the MN Board of Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) for more details on reciprocity .
Last updated Feb 25, 2020
