Police Officer

Applicants must be at least 20 years old to qualify. This application process is for the May 2027 Academy.

Police Officers perform general policing functions intended to ensure the safety and security of lives and property within the City. Activities include patrol, traffic enforcement, and investigative duties. Officers work under the general supervision of a Sergeant and are assigned to a particular area of the City. Officers may be assigned to special activities or projects on an ongoing or short-term basis (e.g., crime prevention, investigations, school resource officer, etc.). The work performed involves a considerable risk to personal safety for self and others and requires quick decision-making when determining the appropriate action to take in a given situation. While much of this work is performed independently and without the immediate presence of a supervisor, incumbents are required to draw upon their extensive training and the department's procedural guidelines, mandates, and laws governing an officer's response and conduct when determining the appropriate action to take in a particular situation. Officers are subject to call back at most times. Officers may respond to situations outside of Fargo and across state lines when called in for mutual aid.

Scope of Responsibility

The Police Officer works under the general supervision of a Sergeant, who is often not immediately present during events but is typically available by electronic communications media. Work involves taking action in situations where a quick response is needed and there can be considerable risk of harm to persons or property and considerable liability. Responsible for all equipment issued, in accordance with Police Department policy and procedures.
A Police Officer may be assigned to the SWAT Team or the Police Training Officer (PTO) Program.

Special Assignment: Police Recruit
This position is an entry-level, non-sworn position in the Police Department. The Police Recruit participates in the Fargo Police Academy and is expected to successfully complete the Academy as prescribed by the North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board. Upon successful completion of the academy, the candidate will become a sworn Police Officer.

Special Assignment Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Successfully graduate from the Fargo Police Academy;
• Meet all the academic and physical training programs mandated by North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board;
• Learns basic principles of patrol procedures and criminal investigation;
• Participates in firearm training and defensive tactics;
• Drives a variety of police vehicles under various training conditions.

Special Assignment Minimum Qualifications

The job requires a minimum of fifty semester hours or seventy-five quarter credits of post-high school education at an accredited college, university, or technical school to successfully perform the essential duties of the job, such as those listed above. The trainee must have the required 60 semester hours or 90 quarter credits by the end of the Academy. Military service may be used in lieu of the education requirement. To qualify, the applicant must have completed at least four years of full-time active-duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an Honorable Discharge. Acceptable documentation includes a DD Form 214 (Member 4 copy) verifying both the length of active service and the character of discharge. Requires passing pre-employment assessments and tests. The Montana Physical Abilities Test (MPAT) must be successfully completed by the completion of the Police Academy. A valid State of North Dakota peace officer license must be acquired upon completion of the police academy, or as determined by the department, and a valid driver’s license is also required.
Assignment to this entry-level non-sworn position is temporary. Failure to successfully complete the police academy and all the required assessments will result in termination from City of Fargo employment.

Special Assignment Physical Demands & Working Conditions

All the physical demands and working conditions of a patrol officer apply within this assignment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assigned to a designated area of the City to enforce all laws and regulations, to provide security, to detect violators, and to develop positive relationships with residents, businesses, schools, and students in assigned neighborhoods. Coordinates the services of different governmental and private agencies to resolve identified problems.
• Discourages violations by being visible and present in the community;
• Observes unusual activity; attempts to intervene in situations to prevent violations;
• Issues warnings or citations for violations both criminal and non-criminal;
• Detains and conducts interviews and arrests of persons violating the law as indicated by the nature of the offense and as guided by policy and circumstances;
• Enforces traffic laws;
• Operates radar or other speed measuring devices;
• Administers tests and transports intoxicated persons to jail or a detox facility or a designated facility where blood tests can be obtained;
• Observes drivers and vehicles and intervenes as necessary to correct illegal or unsafe conditions.
• Conducts periodic security checks of businesses and other facilities.
• Receives, prioritizes and responds to non-emergency calls.
• Responds to complaints, accidents, disturbances and/or requests for police assistance;
• Assesses each situation and determines the most appropriate response in order to prevent potentially dangerous or violent situations from occurring or continuing.
• Responds to emergency situations such as accidents, medical emergencies, fire scenes and other emergencies, and performs various other tasks to secure the scene and assist other emergency personnel.
• Provides first aid to injured persons, as necessary, until medical personnel are available;