Admissions

Peace Officer: Minimum Selection Standards

Minnesota Rules, Chapter 6700.0300, subp. 5(D), requires all students be advised in writing of the minimum selection standards to become a licensed peace officer in Minnesota. Students are advised of these standards in order to help them make informed decisions about participation in the professional peace officer education program.

6700.0700 Minimum Selection Standards
Subpart 1. Selection standards. A person eligible to be licensed shall meet the following minimum selection standards before being appointed to the position of peace officer. The appointing authority may affirm that the applicant has already completed certain of these standards, but the affirmation must be documented pursuant to subpart 2.

1. The applicant shall be a citizen of the United States.

2. The applicant shall possess a valid Minnesota driver's license; or in case of residency therein, a valid driver's license from another state; or eligibility to obtain either license.

3. The applicant shall complete a comprehensive written application.

4. The applicant shall submit to a thorough background search, including searches by local, state, and federal agencies, to disclose the existence of any criminal record or conduct which would adversely affect the performance by the applicant of peace officer duties.

5. The applicant must not be required to register as a predatory offender under Minnesota Statutes, section 243.166 or 243.167.

6. No applicant may be appointed to the position of a peace officer who has been convicted:(1) of a felony in this state or in any other state or federal jurisdiction;(2) of any offense in any other state or federal jurisdiction which would have been a felony if committed in Minnesota;(3) under Minnesota Statutes, section 609.224, 609.2242, 609.231, 609.2325, 609.233, 609.2335,609.234, 609.324, 609.465, 609.466, 609.52, or 609.72; or convicted under any state or federal narcotics or controlled substance law irrespective of any proceeding under Minnesota Statutes, section152.18, or any similar law of another state or federal law; or(4) of any of the crimes listed in this item in another state or federal jurisdiction, or under a local ordinance that would be a conviction if committed in Minnesota.

7. The applicant shall be fingerprinted for the purpose of disclosure of any felony convictions. Fingerprint cards shall be forwarded to the appropriate divisions of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The chief Peace Officer shall immediately notify the board if a previous felony conviction is discovered.

8. A licensed physician or surgeon shall make a thorough medical examination of the applicant to determine that the applicant is free from any physical condition which might adversely affect the performance of peace officer duties.

9. An evaluation, including an oral interview, shall be made by a licensed psychologist to determine that the applicant is free from any emotional or mental condition which might adversely affect the performance of peace officer duties.

10. The applicant shall pass a job-related examination of the applicant's physical strength and agility to demonstrate the possession of physical skills necessary to the accomplishment of the duties and functions of a peace officer.

11. The applicant shall successfully complete an oral examination conducted by or for the agency to demonstrate the possession of communication skills necessary to the accomplishment of the duties and functions of a peace officer.

Subp. 2. Documentation. The chief peace officer shall maintain the documentation necessary to show the completion of subpart 1. The chief peace officer is not required to obtain documentation for subpart 1, item J, if the applicant completed part 6700.0500, subpart 3. The documentation is subject to periodic review by the board, and shall be made available to the board at its request.

Subp. 3. [Repealed, 18 SR 1961]

Subp. 4. More rigid standards. An appointing authority may require an applicant to meet more rigid standards than those prescribed in this part.

Additional Information:
The following points address issues frequently asked about by individuals interested in PPOE admission.

• If an individual has been convicted of a felony in Minnesota or any other state or federal jurisdiction the individual is barred from becoming a peace officer in Minnesota. Even if the individual has had a felony conviction expunged or continued for dismissal, the individual is still barred from peace officer licensure according to Minnesota Rule 6700.0100, Subp.9a.

• If an individual has been convicted of any of the following Minnesota Statutes, the individual is barred from becoming a peace officer in Minnesota. Even if the individual has had the conviction expunged or continued for dismissal the individual is still barred from peace officer licensure according to Minnesota Rule 6700.0100, Subp.9a.
    - 609.224 ASSAULT IN THE FIFTH DEGREE,
    - 609.2242 DOMESTIC ASSAULT,
    - 609.231 MISTREATMENT OF RESIDENTS OR PATIENTS,
    - 609.2325 CRIMINAL ABUSE,
    - 609.233 CRIMINAL NEGLECT,
    - 609.2335 FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF A VULNERABLE ADULT,
    - 609.234 FAILURE TO REPORT (MALTREATMENT OF VULNERABLE ADULTS),
    - 609.324 OTHER PROSTITUTION CRIMES; PATRONS, PROSTITUTES, AND INDIVIDUALS HOUSING INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN PROSTITUTION; PENALTIES,
    - 609.465 PRESENTING FALSE CLAIMS TO PUBLIC OFFICER OR BODY,
    - 609.466 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FRAUD,
    - 609.52 THEFT,
    - 609.72, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, subdivision 3 Caregiver; penalty for disorderly conduct

• If an individual has been convicted under any narcotics or controlled substance law the individual is barred from becoming a peace officer in Minnesota. This includes possession of a small amount of marijuana or possession of drug paraphernalia, even if the conviction was a petty misdemeanor.

• A juvenile record does not bar an individual from becoming a peace officer in Minnesota unless the individual is required to register as a predatory offender; then, the individual is barred until no longer required to register.