Employment

We’re not just hiring officers—we’re building guardians for a growing city. Dickinson is booming, and so is our need for exceptional men and women who want to make a real difference. With low crime, high community trust, and unmatched career growth, this is your chance to serve in one of North Dakota’s safest, most vibrant cities.

Our hiring process ensures we are accepting only the best and brightest. This ensures our community is receiving an extremely talented, competent, and dedicated officer in their time of need. It also helps foster a strong bond amongst officers, creating a family-like atmosphere and a level of resilience that is important for a long-lasting career.

Minimum Qualifications

Entry-Level Police Officer:

Must be at least 20 years old
High School Diploma or G.E.D.(Associate degree preferred)
College-level coursework or specialized training in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field is highly desirable

Lateral Police Officer:

Must hold a current North Dakota POST certification or an equivalent out-of-state certification
Be in good standing with your current law enforcement agency (no ongoing internal, criminal, or civil investigations)
Minimum of three consecutive years of full-time law enforcement field experience
Must be employed full-time with arrest powers by a state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency
OR have been laid off or voluntarily retired within the past 12 months while in good standing and eligible for rehire
Additional qualifications apply for agencies with minimum sworn officer/deputy requirements

Disqualifiers

We uphold the highest integrity. Review the full list before applying:

Download Disqualification List (PDF)

Selection Process

The following steps must be taken by a prospective candidate:

Apply Online → governmentjobs.com/careers/dickinson Create an account. HR will notify you of testing dates.
Written Exam (GSI) Same day as interviews. → Practice Tests ($)
Oral Board Interview Meet Lieutenants, Sergeants, and Senior Officers.
Physical Ability Test (VPAT) Push-ups, sit-ups, sprints, beep test.
Chief’s Interview Top candidates forwarded up from the Oral Board Interview.
Conditional Offer + Background Check Full investigation: criminal, driving, credit, references.
Final Offer Welcome aboard!
Probation 6 months minimum.

Field Training Operation Program (FTO)

Upon employment, the new officer is put through a rigorous, 12-week training program. During that time, the new officer spends his/her time with a Training Officer and “learns the ropes” of police work. After completion of the FTO program, the new officer is placed on his/her own and begins taking calls. If the new officer is not a Police Academy graduate, the department then sends the officer to the Law Enforcement Training Academy in Bismarck, ND. The officer spends 12 weeks at the academy.

In 2018, the department invested in a $250,000 VirTra situational training simulator. This interactive equipment adds incredible realism by allowing an officer to immerse into video recorded scenarios that tests his/her judgement, de-escalation, and marksmanship. During field training, the simulator is used extensively to prepare a new recruit for high-stress situations they may encounter on the street. The department also conducts quarterly trainings in VirTra to maintain a high degree of readiness.

Reciprocity and Other Training

Generally, applicants who are licensed/certified from another state will be granted reciprocity. However, the final determination comes from the North Dakota Peace Officers Standards and Training (NDPOST) Board. If reciprocity is granted, the new officer will only be required to attend two weeks of North Dakota criminal and traffic law training at the Law Enforcement Training Center in Bismarck.

Lake Region State College in Devils Lake also offers Peace Officer training. Students are enrolled in a 17-week program very similar to the state’s Law Enforcement Academy. After successful completion, students are licensable peace officers in the State of North Dakota. This means that upon hire, the hiring department submits the officer’s credentials to the NDPOST Board and the officer then becomes officially licensed. Students at LRSC also earn college credits towards an AAS degree in Law Enforcement.

For more information about the training academies, click on their links below.

Lake Region State College

North Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA)