Become a community service officer

Our process allows you to go to school while working as an officer.
Step 1

Apply for a job

Community service officer (CSO) jobs applications are now being accepted. This is for the Academy starting Oct. 28, 2024. 

Position description

See the job posting and apply

Receive ongoing job notifications

Sign up to receive community service officer job alerts

Step 2

Participate in an interview

We will invite some candidates who apply to come to a job interview.

We will make a conditional job offer to some of the candidates we interview.

You will need to pass our background check and pre-employment tests before we make a final job offer.

Step 3

Complete background checks and pre-employment tests

If you accept a conditional job offer, you are required to complete:

  • A background check
  • Pre-employment tests

 If your background check and pre-employment test results meet our employment criteria, we will make a final job offer.

Read about the background check and pre-employment tests

 

Step 4

Community Service Officer Academy

You and your classmates will receive training at our Community Service Officer Academy.

You will attend the academy

  • For four weeks
  • Monday through Friday
  • For a combination of classroom training and simulations

You can then:

  • Work in the field supporting police officers and connecting with community members
  • While going to school to get your law enforcement degree
Step 5

Complete your degree and POST certification

You will continue to work for us while you:

  • Complete your degree, and
  • Pass your POST exam

After you have done this, you are eligible to be hired as a recruit officer.

See steps for hiring recruits and laterals

Information session video

Learn more about the Community Service Officer position by viewing this video. It was taken at our July 27, 2021 information session.

Contact us

Recruitment

Minneapolis Police Department

Phone

612-673-5583