At the City of Plymouth, we all work together to add quality to life. This mission and our guiding values – CIVIC: customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection – shape our work as we advance the City Council’s strategic priority to be a city of choice. We are seeking candidates who are eager to adopt and champion our mission and values.

Pathways to Policing Program

If you love to help people and want to make a difference, this is your chance to begin a career in law enforcement! This opportunity provides a non-traditional pathway to a career in law enforcement.

The Pathways to Policing Program is designed to bring non-traditional candidates into the field of law enforcement, thereby removing barriers for those who wish to enter the career. Candidates with cultural competency skills and tools and those with experience living or working with culturally diverse populations will be given preference in order to align departments with the communities they serve and meet their needs.

Individuals looking for a new career path and a way to make a difference in their communities are encouraged to apply.

Earn pay and benefits while attending a full-time professional peace officer education program in Brooklyn Park, MN. Must have a two or four-year regionally accredited college degree in any field of study, but no prior law enforcement training or experience is required. Must be a U.S. citizen with a valid driver's license and no felony convictions. The program specifically seeks those with the ability to fluently speak and proficiently read and write a second language, in addition to English, and/or who have experience living or working with culturally diverse populations. Upon completion of the education program (approximately 22-24 weeks), pathways participants must attain POST licensure before transitioning to a full time sworn probationary police officer position.

How the Program Works

Successful applicants will be hired as trainees by the Plymouth Police Department. This is a full-time position with a starting wage of $24.38 per hour, plus insurance and pension benefits. As a trainee, individuals will attend 40 hours a week of college coursework and training at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, MN, for approximately 24 weeks, and then take the licensing exam for police officers. All course fees and equipment are provided and paid for by the City of Plymouth.

Upon graduation and successful completion of the licensing exam, trainees will be promoted to probationary sworn police officers and begin their career in law enforcement just like any other new officer.

Timeline and Selection Process

Individuals interested in pursuing a trainee opportunity with the City of Plymouth should apply here. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible so that the city may review eligibility.

• Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2024
• Interviews will be held between May 6 – May 17, 2024
• Background investigations will be conducted on top candidates in June 2024
• Conditional offers of employment will be made in early July, followed by required physical and psychological examinations and pre-employment drug screening.
• Candidates will begin employment in late July and classes begin at Hennepin Tech shortly thereafter.

• Attend and actively participate in the identified education and skills program.
• Complete all course work associated with the program.
• Maintain appropriate physical conditioning to ensure successful completion of the skills training component.
• Upon completion of training program, successfully attain POST licensure eligibility.
• Agree to provide an employment commitment of at least two years as a law enforcement officer.
• Conditional employment offers will be extended to police trainees for the period of time required to complete the aforementioned accelerated training/skills program.
• Successful completion of the program will result in a change in employment status to probationary police officer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to perform in accordance with the City of Plymouth’s CIVIC values (customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection) and comfort with supporting and advancing the city council’s strategic priorities.
• No previous police experience is required.
• Must have a 2 or 4-year degree from a regionally accredited institution in any discipline as of August 1, 2023.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must possess a valid driver's license or have ability to obtain.
• Must have no felony convictions.
• Must NOT have already completed a MN Skills program or taken the MN POST or reciprocity exam.

Desirable Qualifications

• Ability to fluently speak and proficiently read and write a non-English language (in addition to English).
• Possession of translator certification.
• Experience living or working with culturally diverse populations.
• We seek individuals who will assist us in serving our very diverse communities. Priority will be given to candidates who have diversity skills and knowledge, and community engagement experience that can be applied to police work.