Police Officer

City of Chaska•Chaska Police Department, MN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Chaska is hiring full-time patrol officers, including new and lateral officers. Chaska is in Carver County and has nearly 30,000 residents. The Police Department recently moved into a new Public Safety Facility that opened in early 2026. Applicants must hold a Minnesota POST license or be eligible to obtain one by March 1, 2027. Starting pay is $43.17–$53.10 per hour ($89,793–$110,448 annually), depending on qualifying experience. The patrol contract provides a $1,805 annual uniform allowance, with initial equipment provided. Eligible lateral candidates may receive paid personal leave at hire, a higher leave accrual rate, a higher base wage, and potentially credit for the four-year longevity step after probation. Starting wages and benefit accrual for lateral candidates depend on prior experience. Longevity incentives are available after 4, 8, 12, and 16 years of city employment; current top patrol base pay is $58.94 per hour ($122,595 annually). A $5,000 signing bonus is paid in two installments: $2,000 after successful field-training completion and $3,000 after the 12-month probationary period. Certain assignments may qualify for specialty or instructor pay, and night shift carries a $1.00-per-hour differential. Patrol officers receive 156 holiday hours and 104 “time owed” hours each year, which may be taken as time off or pay. The city contributes to a post-retirement healthcare savings plan. Officers may work out for one hour per shift while on duty. The hiring process begins with a video interview. Candidates advancing from that stage are invited to a panel interview at the Police Department. Candidates receiving conditional offers must successfully complete a background investigation, psychological exam, drug screening, and medical/fitness examination. Preference is given to qualified applicants who have not applied within the previous 12 months.

Requirements

Valid Minnesota driver's license or ability to obtain one by the hire date.
Associate degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field.
Current licensure by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards (POST), or ability to obtain it by March 1, 2027.
Thorough knowledge of community-policing principles and practices.
Knowledge of basic first-responder first aid and lifesaving techniques, including CPR certification.
Knowledge of effective investigation and interrogation principles and practices.
Ability to remain composed in stressful situations and communicate respectfully and responsively to de-escalate conflict.
Knowledge of state statutes and codes, federal guidelines and protocols, and local law-enforcement ordinances.
Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and awareness.
Critical-thinking skills and ability to make reasoned judgments under uncertainty.
Ability to assess potential consequences of alternative actions and select an appropriate and acceptable course of action.
Ability to recognize potentially dangerous situations and act decisively to protect people and property.
Experience using computers, standard office software, firearms, and police equipment.
Demonstrated ability to foster and maintain responsive community relations.
Ability to meet departmental use-of-force standards.

Responsibilities

Enforce laws and City codes and provide for public safety through observation, investigation, reporting, and corrective action.
Respond to service calls, patrol, investigate suspicious activities, interview suspects and witnesses, collect and preserve evidence, make arrests, attend related court hearings, and complete required reports.
Interact with residents, the public, and other police departments; preserve the peace through conflict intervention, negotiation, crowd control, and community policing.
Provide public services, including emergency medical assistance, coordination at fire scenes, traffic and crowd control, assistance with missing persons and found property, and help for stranded motorists.
Conduct field training for new officers when assigned.
Provide information to the public and foster relationships with businesses, neighborhoods, and citizens.
Know and follow Police Department policies and procedures.
Perform other related duties as expected or assigned.

Benefits

$1,805 annual uniform allowance, with initial equipment provided.
Eligible lateral candidates may receive 40 hours of paid personal leave upon starting employment, a higher personal-leave accrual rate, and a higher base wage.
Eligible lateral candidates may receive credit for the four-year longevity step after completing probation.
Longevity incentives after 4, 8, 12, and 16 years of employment with the City.
$5,000 signing bonus, paid in installments after field-training completion and completion of the 12-month probationary period.
Specialty pay and instructor pay for certain assignments.
$1.00-per-hour night shift differential.
Annual bank of 156 holiday hours and 104 “time owed” hours, available as time off or pay.
Post-retirement healthcare savings plan with a City contribution.
Ability to work out for one hour per shift while on duty.