Police Officer - Lateral

Serve with pride. Live with purpose. Join Moorhead PD

The City of Moorhead Police Department is a highly respected regional law enforcement leader seeking qualified motivated individuals who are ready to serve and protect in a dynamic and supportive environment. Experienced lateral canidates are encouraged to apply and become part of a department that values integrity, innovation, and community engagement. Officers have opportunities to specialize, advance, and make a real difference.

2026 Salary Range: $35.93/hour - $50.60/hour ($74,742 - $105,267)

Why Join Us?

• Hiring Incentive - $5,000 for qualified lateral hires
  See bonus eligibility and employment requirements on the City of Moorhead Human Resources Benefits page.
• Salary Increases: 6% COLA increase January 2027 + yearly anniversary date increases
• Accelerated field training program
• Hours: Enjoy 12-hour shifts. 5 days on, 5 days off, followed by 2 days on, 2 days off, with every other weekend off for a consistent work/life balance.
• Career development opportunities: SWAT, K9, School Resource Officer (SRO), Investigations, and other specialty positions as well as on-going training and professional development
• State-of-the-Art equipment, technology and new fleet vehicles
• Strong support from department leadership, city leaders, and the community
• Physical fitness incentive with on-site workout facility
• Generous vacation and sick time accrued paid time off
  • New hires accrue 80 hours of vacation per calendar year. Increase accruals with years of service. Unused vacation can carry over to a maximum of 240 hours.
  • 12 paid sick days per year. Accrue up to maximum of 960 hours.
• Comprehensive benefits including 100% paid health insurance premium for single, single plus one, and family coverage depending on plan selection. Also dental, vision, life, flex spending plan, HSA, MN Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) pension, deferred compensation plan, wellness program, including employee assistance program, and more. Visit our benefit page for additional information.
• 11 Floating paid holidays

About Moorhead: A great place to live and serve. Moorhead is the largest city in northwest Minnesota, with a population of 46,000. As part of the vibrant Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area (population 290,000), it is a vibrant, growing community where you can build both a rewarding career and a fulfilling life. Moorhead offers the perfect balance of small-town charm and big-city amenities. Just 45 minutes from the beautiful Minnesota lakes area, you'll have easy access to year-round outdoor recreation. Enjoy affordable housing, short commutes and a variety of entertainment options that make Moorhead an ideal place to call home. Our community supports law enforcement making it a welcoming atmosphere for law enforcement professionals and their families.

About the Department: 63 sworn officers. Learn more by reviewing our department website page: Who We Are

POLICE OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTION:
This protective service position performs intermediate/difficult work enforcing laws, investigating criminal activity, ensuring public safety, maintaining records and files, testifying in court, preparing reports, and related work as required.

Essential Functions: The essential functions of the Police Officer include, but are not limited to the following major duties performed. Duties are listed from most to least important.

• Performs patrol functions; operates a patrol vehicle or rides a bicycle to preserve the peace and enforce the law; controls vehicular traffic; prevents or detects and investigates misconduct involving misdemeanors, felonies, and other law violations; differentiates between civil and criminal matters.
• Investigates and assists at scene accident and/or crime; interrogates suspects and interviews witnesses and victims; conducts searches; collects, processes and provides follow-up related to evidence.
• Makes arrests and testifies in court, occasionally with little scheduling notice.
• Prepares reports and records including accident reports, traffic citations, investigation reports, breathalyzer checklist, vehicle impoundment form, etc.
• Prepares presentations and performs public education and public speaking on police service and crime prevention topics.
• May be assigned specific duties, including K-9 Officer, SWAT Operator/Sniper, Field Training Officer, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Bike Patrol, Honor Guard, PACT/CISM Team, EVOC Instructor, Firearms, Defensive Tactics or other instructor positions to train other officers.
• Performs other duties as requested.
• Attendance at off-site courses/trainings/seminars may be required.

REQUIREMENTS: To perform the Police Officer position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the formal education, experience and training required.

Applicants do not need to be MN POST licensed or eligible at the time of applying but must be licensed or eligible by the date of conditional offer of employment or by December 31, 2026.

• Associates/Technical degree in criminal justice (or related field) OR successful completion of the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Reciprocity Exam OR eligible to take the MN Post Reciprocity Exam.
• Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training License,
• CPR/First Responder training
• Valid driver's license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: General knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques and equipment; general knowledge of the geography of the City and location of important buildings; general knowledge of the laws, ordinances and police department rules and regulations; skill in using firearms and operating a motor vehicle; ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and to prepare clear reports; ability to analyze situations and to adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances; ability to remain calm and professional while dealing with abusive, mentally impaired, intoxicated, or assaltive members of the public; ability to operate radar unit, audio/visual recording devices, expandable baton, handcuffs, breathalyzer, first aid equipment and other necessary tools and equipment; ability to multi-task and prioritize life-threatening situations to minimize risk; ability to deal courteously, but firmly with the public; ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with associates and the general public.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: The work of the Police Officer requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires walking, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing and pushing or pulling and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and lifting; work requires depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arms length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), wearing a self contained breathing apparatus and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

The Hiring Process

The hiring process includes an oral interview, extensive background investigation, psychological examination, fitness and medical examination. Candidates will be contacted if selected to interview. Interviews are offered either in-person or virtual.

Contact Sgt. Joe Brannan at 218.299.5233 or email at joseph.brannan@moorheadmn.gov. Ride alongs and tours available.

EOE