The City of Mankato Public Safety is actively recruiting police officer candidates with strong critical thinking skills, effective communication, and a proven dedication to community policing. We welcome both entry-level and experienced lateral entry candidates.
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Candidates that are not currently eligible for licensing but expect to complete the MN POST exam by September 15, 2026, are encouraged to apply.
Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience:-
Associate’s Degree in Police Science, Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice from an accredited university, college, or vocational technical institute. (Must have completed a program requiring actual classroom instruction and training, excluding programs exclusively by correspondence, or such other education as may be considered equivalent.)
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Licensed by the Minnesota Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T) Board or be eligible to be licensed by the Minnesota P.O.S.T. Board by September 15, 2026.(both academic and skills training completed)
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Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.
What the City of Mankato offers:2026 SALARY SCHEDULE - Police Officers starting at Entry Wage Progression
Officers starting at Entry Wage will move to the next step upon successful completion of FTO during the next compensation increase cycle (March 1, July 1, November 1)
Police Officers who receive "meets expectations" during their annual performance evaluation will move to the 1 year step.
2026
Entry Wage
Upon FTO Completion Step
1 Year Step
Base Wage + 1.75% add to base for all hours worked in lieu of time and half for holiday pay
$39.01
$40.81
$42.70
2026 Full Salary Schedule
Police Officer wage rates include base wage + 1.75% add to base for all hours worked in lieu of time and half for holiday pay.
2026
Entry
Upon FTO Completion
1 Year
2 Year
3 year
4 year
5 year
6 year
Senior Step
Base Wage
$38.34
$40.11
$41.97
$43.91
$45.84
$47.86
$49.84
$51.80
$53.35
Base Wage + 1.75% add to base for all hours worked in lieu of time and half for holiday pay
$39.01
$40.81
$42.70
$44.68
$46.64
$48.70
$50.71
$52.71
$54.28
Wellness and Growth Benefits-
Peer Support Program
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Comprehensive officer health and wellness resiliency program (Provicta)
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Physical, mental, nutritional, spiritual, and financial wellness
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Variety of 10-to-12-hour workdays (promote more days off)
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On-site workout facilities with on-duty use and/or 24-hour access.
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Continual training opportunities to develop successful officers.
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In-field, online, in-person, in-house, and external development opportunities
Specialized Unit Opportunities
Detective Division, Tactical Response Team, Police Training Officer, BCA ICAC Task Force, School Resource Officer, Auxiliary Units, Drug & Veterans Court, Toward Zero Deaths, Hostage Negotiator, Predatory Offender Monitoring Team, Drug Task Force
Instructor: Taser, Firearms, Defensive Driving, Field Force, Defensive Tactics, Integrated Communications and Tactics, PepperBall, Use of Force
If you have any questions about the application process, please email Melissa Weston, Human Resources Specialist at
mweston@mankatomn.gov
If you have any questions about the roles of a Mankato Police Officer, please call or email Jeremy Clifton, Director of Public Safety, at 507-387-8782 or
jclifton@mankatomn.gov-
The hiring process will include but is not limited to review of qualifications, departmental orientation, panel interviews, background check, fingerprinting, psychological evaluation, physical and drug screen.