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JOIN WSPPD BE THE CHANGE
West St. Paul works hard to provide the entire community with the best possible police department.
Open Police Department Positions are Posted Here!
Want to be a part of our team?
Get started below!
Our police department's Recruitment and Retention Committee plays a vital role in shaping the composition and effectiveness of its law enforcement workforce. This committee is responsible for developing strategies to attract qualified and diverse candidates to join the police force. We work on designing recruitment campaigns, organizing job fairs, and establishing partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations to reach potential candidates.
Simultaneously, the committee addresses the critical issue of retaining experienced officers. We analyze factors contributing to attrition, such as burnout and work-related stress, and devise policies and programs to enhance job satisfaction and promote long-term career development within the department.
Ultimately, the Recruitment and Retention Committee serves as a bridge between the police department and its community, striving to create a capable and diverse force while ensuring its members are motivated and committed to the values of public service and safety.
Have questions? We're here to help!
The Recruitment Team consists of sworn and civilian staff who are dedicated to providing applicants with information to assist them with their goal to become a West St. Paul Police Officer.
For more information regarding sworn or non-sworn positions, contact Sgt. Tim Sewald at tsewald@wspmn.gov or 651-983-2631.
Fast-rising pay scale and fantastic benefits!
2023 Police Officer Pay Scale
| Starting rate | $34.83 |
| After 1 year | $39.19 |
| After 2 years | $41.36 |
| After 3 years | $43.54 |
| After 4 years | $44.85 |
| After 6 years | $45.72 |
| After 8 years | $46.59 |
| After 10 years | $47.46 |
| After 15 years | $48.33 |
Officer Benefits
- Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, 457 Plan Options
- Vacation, Sick Days, Thirteen paid holidays (96 Hours)
- 5% pay increase for officers who are temporarily promoted to a specialty position, i.e., K9, Investigator, etc.…
Officers also receive pay incentives for being a; Field Training Officer, SWAT Operator, and Use of Force Instructor - Officers are permitted to work out while on duty in a well-equipped on-site facility
- Yearly Uniform Allowance $1000.00
- Numerous opportunities for overtime and Off Duty Work
- Health and wellness program
- Annual mental health check-in-program
Being an officer in West St. Paul is not just about taking calls and patrolling the streets!
West St. Paul offers many specialty positions for sworn officers, including:
- K-9
- SWAT operator
- SWAT negotiator
- Dakota County Drug Task Force Agent
- Investigations
- Mental Health Officer
- Apprehension Team
- Multi-Residential Housing / Community Engagement Officer
- Traffic Officer
- DWI Officer
- Arson Investigation
To become an officer in West St. Paul, you must:
- Associate Degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a directly related degree
- Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license with no suspensions or revocations within the past three years.
Individuals that fall in any of the Rejection Criteria are not eligible to become a West St. Paul officer
Rejection Criteria - Any Violation of the MN POST Board Licensing Rules
Our hiring process step-by-step
- Apply online
- Panel Interviews
- Background Check
- Command Staff Interview
- Conditional Offer
- Pass Medical, Drug, Psychological Screening and Physical Agility Test
Physical Agility Test Requirements
- Requirement 1
Task Simulated: Climbing stairs carrying 20 lbs with and without, standard equipment and/or necessary medical supplies - Requirement II
Task Simulated: Administering CPR - Requirement III
Task simulated: Maneuvering and/or exerting necessary force to subdue assailants by pulling/dragging 150 lbs a total of 35 feet. - Requirement IV
Task Simulated: Jogging/running, run 440 yards in three minutes while carrying 20 lbs - Requirement V
Task Simulated: Scaling/jumping over obstacles 48-inch-high wall Complete 2 times - Requirement VI
Task Simulated: Subduing suspect- demonstrate the ability to grasp an object equal 120 lbs., from the ground pivot 180 degrees right and left, while maintain control. Then move to the floor roll 720 degrees right and left while maintaining control, stand up.
FTO (Field Training Officer) Process - The start of a great career in West St. Paul
The first week of a newly hired officer will consist of administrative and intensive training to include Use of Force, Firearms, OSHA, and other mandated training requirements. They will also obtain credentials for numerous data base accesses.
The FTO program generally consists of a minimum of a 12-week program in four phases, in which newly hired officers are assigned to specially trained senior officers to complete their field training prior to being assigned to solo patrol duties. We understand individuals learn at difference paces and in different ways. This program is designed to provide every opportunity for the new officer to succeed with flexibility to increase the time commitment to the program to meet the needs of the individual officer.
During the training period, the officer may also spend time with other criminal justice entities including the Investigative and Support Division, Drug Task Force, Dakota County Jail, and Dakota County Communications Center.
Phase One: Focuses on policies, procedures, and geography. The FTO demonstrates how calls for service should be handled and the required documentation.
Phase Two: Focuses on increasing the frequency of the trainee taking more calls for service, continuing geography, and incorporating more traffic stops. The FTO assists the trainee in handling the calls.
Phase Three: Focuses on the trainee showing that they can handle the calls/traffic stops on their own to prepare them for fourth phase. The FTO assists less during this phase.
Phase Four: Trainee is with an FTO who is out of uniform. This allows those who come in contact with the trainee to focus on the trainee during this phase. During this phase the trainee utilizes support from partners and other resources to handle a call or traffic stop.