What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Officer position at City of Cottage Grove?
The Cottage Grove Police Department is hiring one full-time Police Officer with an early 2026 start date. Candidates will participate in a streamlined hiring process. Start dates, onboarding, and field training will be customized to suit each recruit.
Cottage Grove is a rapidly growing community with a population exceeding 42,000 residents and 37 square miles of diverse suburban development. The Cottage Grove Police Department is a growing and innovative department with a progressive vision, ambitious 5-year strategic plan, commitment to employee wellness, and commitment to excellent community-oriented service. CGPD is recognized as one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the state of Minnesota. CGPD officers benefit from top-notch training, numerous career development opportunities, exceptional facilities and equipment, permissive policies, and best practices. CGPD officers work in a positive environment with the full support of their leadership team and community. CGPD encourages proactive policing and community engagement making the work of a CGPD officer impactful and meaningful.
CGPD’s Vision
The Cottage Grove Police Department is dedicated to excellence through community-oriented policing and innovation. We’ll provide safety and promote trust in our community using 21st century policing strategies. We’ll invest in our culture, safety, wellness and training. We’ll employ the best equipment, technology and practices. Our organization will be diverse and resilient. We’ll plan, grow and adapt with our community. We’ll collaborate with our community to create safe environments where everyone can thrive.
Benefits
Cottage Grove is a rapidly growing community with a population exceeding 42,000 residents and 37 square miles of diverse suburban development. The Cottage Grove Police Department is a growing and innovative department with a progressive vision, ambitious 5-year strategic plan, commitment to employee wellness, and commitment to excellent community-oriented service. CGPD is recognized as one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the state of Minnesota. CGPD officers benefit from top-notch training, numerous career development opportunities, exceptional facilities and equipment, permissive policies, and best practices. CGPD officers work in a positive environment with the full support of their leadership team and community. CGPD encourages proactive policing and community engagement making the work of a CGPD officer impactful and meaningful.
CGPD’s Vision
The Cottage Grove Police Department is dedicated to excellence through community-oriented policing and innovation. We’ll provide safety and promote trust in our community using 21st century policing strategies. We’ll invest in our culture, safety, wellness and training. We’ll employ the best equipment, technology and practices. Our organization will be diverse and resilient. We’ll plan, grow and adapt with our community. We’ll collaborate with our community to create safe environments where everyone can thrive.
Benefits
- Lateral entry credit for previous law enforcement experience
- Competitive wage and benefits
- Bi-annual holiday bonus payments, monthly cell phone stipend, and annual uniform allowance
- Financial and retirement planning along with an optional deferred compensation plan
- Potential front-loaded annual leave balance
- Paid parental and bereavement leave
- Work a schedule that promotes work-life balance: only 1984 hours per year; 10.5-hour shifts; Sun-Tues or Wed-Fri and alternating Saturdays.
- Take-home squads
- Individually-assigned equipment including laptop/MDC, radio, Glock 17 with RMR, Taser, suppressed rifle with optics, plate carrier, helmet, hearing protection, gas mask, and more
- Optional external vest carrier
- Comprehensive wellness program with annual medical screening and mental health check-ins, free counseling, peer support, therapy K9, and more
- Modern facilities and technologies
- On-site fitness center with on-duty workouts permitted
- Train at the HERO Center and receive >100 hours of training per year
- Annual career development counseling, personalized training plan, and ample access to elective courses/conferences
- Many career enhancement opportunities including K9, SWAT, Mobile Field Force, DWI/Traffic Officer, Field Training Officer, Instructor, School Resource Officer, Community Engagement Officer, Case Management Detective, General Detective, various Task Force Detectives, and more
- Pride and satisfaction in representing a premier agency with high morale and unwavering support of its leaders and community
- Make a difference with proactive policing and community engagement
- Respond to and handle or refer all requests for public safety services.
- Effectively patrol assigned areas within the city in vehicle or on foot.
- Investigate complaints involving violations of city ordinance, state and federal laws.
- Investigate traffic accidents within the city.
- Monitor traffic problems within the city to assure the orderly flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
- Apprehend perpetrators and/or suspects involved in criminal activity.
- Prepare reports covering all phases of public safety activity.
- Ensure proper maintenance and safe operation of all public safety vehicles and equipment.
- Maintain effective community relations within the city and law enforcement community.
- Improve and maintain individual public safety skills.
- Assist in the operation of the animal control program as directed.
- Keep the appropriate supervisor advised of patrol developments and performs all duties as apparent or assigned.
- Act as a credible witness in court testimony or similar proceeding.
- Perform all other necessary duties as apparent or assigned.
- Must be MN POST licensed by start date.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license.
- Must be able to pass a background investigation, functional fitness assessment, and psychological exam.
Salary : $89,918 - $123,178
