Do you dream of becoming a cop in Minnesota? Then you have to be familiar with the basic requirements set by the two agencies responsible for the certification of law enforcement officers in the state—the Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board.
Working as a police officer in Minnesota will entitle you to a competitive starting annual salary plus benefits. The benefits range from health insurance, life insurance, longevity pay, health club membership, and performance incentive pay.
Salaries may differ depending on the location. The starting minimum salary for members of the Saint Paul police department is $1,915 (bi-weekly) with vacation leave entitlement starting at 15 days for the first five years of service. Meanwhile, the starting salary for a member of the Rochester police department is approximately $2,000 (bi-weekly).
Police Academy Requirements in Minnesota
There are basic requirements that you need to pass if you want to become a member of mINNEAPOLIS Police Department. First, you should be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years of age. You should also have a driver’s license in Minnesota, or could get one. And you ought to have a clean criminal record, meaning you have not been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony charges.
You must also obtain certification from the POST board, and pass a basic physical and written examination. In order to get certification from the POST board, you should complete at least one of the following exams.
One is the Peace Officer Licensing examination that graduates of two to four years education degree program may take. Another is the Reciprocity Licensing Exam which is given to those who have worked before as a law enforcement officer or member of the military in another state, or at the federal level. If you have certification from the POST board that has expired, then you will have to take the Reinstatement of License Exam and License Restoration Exam.
Physical Fitness Test Standards
Being a cop requires that you are in the best shape of your life. Many aspiring cops forget that physical demands of the job, so they find themselves unprepared for the physical fitness exams. The physical exams can be very grueling. Designed to separate the men from the boys, physical fitness exams for aspiring policemen assess trunk strength, flexibility, muscular strength, endurance, cardiovascular endurance and anaerobic strength.
You need a minimum score of 70% in order to pass the physical fitness exam. The tests include a bench press of 102 pounds, or 60 per cent of your body weight. You are also to complete 25 push-ups in 1 minute and register a 13-inch vertical jump. You also have to perform 30 sit-ups in one minute and run a 1.5 mile course within 15 minutes.
Due to the grueling demands of the physical assessment exam, you should train hard for this test. Start by running until you are able to cover a mile within 15 minutes. You should also start doing sit-ups, push-ups and other exercises that you will be asked to perform. Engaging in aerobic activities like swimming and jogging will also help you build endurance.
Exams
Before you are made to undergo the exhausting physical assessment test, you first have to pass a written exam. This is a standard test designed to assess the applicant’s general aptitude. Usually, the exam will test your reading comprehension skills, memory, problem solving skills, and writing skills.
Once you have passed the written exam and physical assessment test, you will be subjected to a polygraph test. Commonly known as a lie detector test, this part of the evaluation process will verify all the information that you have submitted to the HR department. These includes all the information that you have shared regarding your education, previous employment, driving history, criminal records, credit history, sources of income, amongst others. The polygraph test will also check if the facts they got during interviews with friends, family members, colleagues and neighbors match with your statements.
After passing the polygraph test, you will be asked to take a medical test. A strict requirement in this exam is the prohibition of food or drink consumption except for water three hours before the test. The medical exam and psychological test will include drug and alcohol tests, medical and physical, hearing and vision, vital signs, venipuncture, and EKG with VO2 max test. You will be also subjected to psychological test as conducted by a licensed psychiatrist.
The next phase is training and certification, which usually lasts for 14 to 16 weeks. During this period, you’ll learn more about defensive tactics, crime scene investigation, traffic enforcement, community policing, defensive driving, and ethics. The field training seeks to provide you with the relevant experience and training that will guide you should you proceed with your plan to pursue a career in the police ranks.
How to Prepare for the Police Academy
Getting into the police ranks is tougher than you think. Not only does it require you to be sharp mentally and emotionally, it also asks you to be physically fit. Even those who graduate at the top of their class fail the written examinations, more so the grueling physical assessment test.
However, getting into this line of work is very rewarding. The pay and benefits are good, aside from the fact that there is a minimal chance of retrenchment as long as you keep your nose clean, so to speak.
With the numerous examinations to take, it can be pretty difficult to prepare for the Minnesota police academy. Yet with the help of a step-by-step guide called “Prepare for the Police Academy” you can have a better shot at getting admitted into the police academy. The guide provides comprehensive information on the various tests you’ll have to take, as well as pre and post-academy workout programs. You’ll also learn more on law enforcement basics by reading this guide.
So whether you intend to be part of the Duluth police department or Bloomington police department, enhance your chances of getting into the academy by reading the “Prepare for the Police Academy” guide. For more info, visit http://www.prepareforthepoliceacademy.com.