Coon Rapids Police Department launches recruitment drive with focus on experience, wellness, and community trust

The City of Coon Rapids is seeking to fill two full time police officer vacancies as part of a continuing recruitment effort aimed at strengthening public safety, deepening community engagement, and preparing the department for the next generation of law enforcement leadership.

According to the official job posting and city recruitment materials, the Coon Rapids Police Department is targeting candidates who are Minnesota POST licensed or expect to be POST license eligible by March 1, 2026. The position is listed as open continuously, signaling the city’s intent to remain competitive in a tight regional and statewide law enforcement labor market.

Competitive pay and incentives

The department is offering a 2025 pay range of $38.97 to $51.89 per hour, which translates to approximately $81,057 to $107,931 annually, depending on experience and step placement. In addition to base pay, officers assigned to specialized units receive an additional four percent above base salary.

Coon Rapids has also built longevity incentives into its compensation structure. Officers receive a five percent pay increase after eight years of service, a 7.5 percent increase after 12 years, and a ten percent increase after 16 years. The city is also actively recruiting lateral transfers, offering experienced officers the opportunity to start at pay levels that reflect their years of service rather than beginning at entry level.

City officials say the compensation package is designed not only to attract new officers, but also to retain institutional knowledge and reward long term commitment to the community.

Department size, structure, and workload

The Coon Rapids Police Department operates as a 24 hour agency and responds to more than 50,000 calls for service each year. The department includes approximately 65 sworn officers, supported by seven full time civilian staff members and five community service officers.

In addition to patrol operations, the department maintains several specialized units, including K 9, SWAT, a Narcotics Task Force, and the COPPS unit, which focuses on Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving. These units allow officers to pursue specialized career paths while addressing complex public safety challenges that extend beyond routine patrol work.

Emphasis on wellness and support

Department leadership has placed increasing emphasis on officer wellness, a priority that has gained urgency in the wake of nationwide concerns about burnout, mental health, and retention in policing.

Coon Rapids officers receive two dedicated wellness days each year in addition to standard leave benefits. The department also provides access to on site workout facilities and a range of mental health support resources. Recruitment materials highlight these benefits as central to building a resilient workforce capable of sustained, high quality service.

Community engagement as core expectation

Beyond enforcement duties, the department emphasizes a community first philosophy that expects officers to be visible, approachable, and actively engaged with residents.

New recruits are expected to participate in the BRIDGE Committee, an initiative whose name stands for Building Relationships, Inspiring Dialogue, and Generating Empathy. The committee focuses on strengthening trust and communication between police and Coon Rapids’ increasingly diverse communities.

The department also operates a redesigned seven week Community Police Academy, formerly known as the Citizens Academy. The program offers residents hands on exposure to police work, including instruction on de escalation, use of force policies, and mental health response strategies.

Youth engagement remains a central pillar as well. Officers regularly participate in Safety Camp, Home Alone Safety Class, and the annual Shop With A Cop program, which pairs students with officers for holiday shopping and support.

Application process and timeline

Applicants must meet Minnesota POST standards and be licensed or license eligible by March 1, 2026. The hiring process begins with an application and supplemental questionnaire, followed by oral interviews, physical agility testing, and a comprehensive background investigation. Psychological and medical evaluations, along with drug testing, are also required.

While no fixed closing date has been announced, the POST eligibility timeline suggests the city is aiming to fill the positions in early to mid 2026.

Interested candidates can apply through the City of Coon Rapids Government Jobs portal. City officials encourage prospective applicants to review the posting carefully and consider reaching out to department representatives for additional information.

As Coon Rapids continues to grow and evolve, city leaders say the recruitment effort reflects a broader goal: building a police department that is well staffed, well supported, and firmly rooted in the trust of the community it serves.

MinneapoliMedia