Compensation and Benefits

• 2024
  • Annual entry level officer base earning, 1st year - $81,338
  • Base annual earning at year 4 – $101,774
  • Top patrol base earning at year 12 - $110,052
• 2025
  • Annual entry level officer earning, 1st year - $85,394
  • Base annual earning at year 4 – $106,870
  • Top patrol base earning at year 12 - $115,544
    (Pay range is dependent on prior experience and qualifications).

• Additional Earning: 
  Contracted overtime opportunities are available for additional earning potential. Extended shifts have the option of pay or compensatory time off at 1.5x the officer's hourly rate.

• Standard patrol shifts are 10.5 hours in length with one hour of paid break time included. After the first year, officers are able to choose their preferred shift based on availability and seniority. 
   
• Local Union Membership which negotiates wages, benefits, working conditions and job security with steward representatives from your department peers.
  See our most recently negotiated officer contract here: 2024-2025 Police Officer Labor Agreement

• Officers receive employer-paid medical, dental and life insurance.

• Officers accrue 100 hours of vacation per year and the City of Plymouth provides 96 holiday hours per year. The LELS Union Patrol Contract dictates how holiday hours are paid to each specific police officer. 

• Officers have access to an award-winning wellness program and allowed time on duty for fitness. 
  (See details about the wellness program in the accordion below).
  
  
• Officers participate in ongoing training and development, averaging more than 100 hours of annual specialized training per officer each year.

•  Retirement: 
  As a new officer, you'll be automatically enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), Police and Fire Plan. This plan helps you save for retirement through mandatory contributions from both you and your employer. Over time, these contributions grow, providing you with a pension when you retire, based on your years of service and salary. After five years on the job, officers are fully vested in the retirement plan. An officer who works for 30 years can expect to receive 90% of their salary as a pension for life starting at age 55. PERA also offers disability benefits if you're injured on the job, as well as survivor benefits for your family. It's a secure way to plan for your future while you serve your community.

The Plymouth Police Department is committed to officer health and wellness. Plymouth police officers have access to an award-winning wellness program that offers onsite fitness rooms, mentorship programs, professional mental health support and chaplains, support from financial advisors, and other fitness and wellness opportunities (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes, and CrossFit and running instructors).

The Plymouth Police Department was recognized with the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association’s large-agency Excellence in Innovation Award in 2017 for its three-pronged approach – mind, body, spirit – to officer wellness.

Examples of Ways Plymouth Demonstrates Officer Wellness and Safety

Fitness: Plymouth officers can work out before, during or after their shift in the department’s gym facility inside the Plymouth Public Safety Building. When ordering new gym equipment, the department seeks officer input, and suggestions for improvements are valued and welcome. Plymouth officers may also utilize up to 12 hours of time-off compensation each month to attend approved fitness classes.

Psychological: With a focus on mental health and wellness, officers are required to participate in the Check Up from the Neck Up program – an annual confidential check-in with a licensed counselor. Plymouth officers have the opportunity to continue sessions as needed.

Spiritual: Chaplains are available to staff by appointment or during normal office hours. Chaplains from different faiths are available and are also able to assist in finding religious resources in the area. 

Financial: To help staff make sound financial decisions, the department officers various financial resources. Upon hire, officers meet with a financial advisor to learn more about the pension plan, deferred compensation, budgeting and alternative investment opportunities.

As of 2022, the Plymouth Police Department consists of 81 sworn officers in a number of varied assignments, including:

• Patrol 
• Investigations
• K9 Unit
• SWAT Team
• Traffic Unit
• Special Investigations Unit
• Schools & Community 

The Patrol Division provides law enforcement services to the community 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

General Patrol: The largest division within the Plymouth Police Department, the Patrol Division is comprised of approximately 55 of the total 81 sworn police officers. As the most visible division, uniformed officers in fully marked vehicles patrol the city. Duties vary greatly from day to day. However, the primary function of patrol officers is 911 response. While not responding to 911 calls for service, Plymouth officers may conduct traffic enforcement and education, perform foot patrols within area businesses or parks, or simply remain visible to the motoring and non-motoring public. 

K9 Unit: The Plymouth Police Department’s K9 Unit currently consists of three teams. The K9 teams complete a 16-week academy and must pass practical tests in obedience, evidence recovery, suspect searches and apprehensions. After the initial test, K9 teams must re-certify annually. 

Plymouth Police utilize canines for their ability to locate. Due to canines having an extremely enhanced sense of smell, they are able to find evidence, narcotics and people that officers otherwise may not. Although the dogs are trained to apprehend suspects of violent crimes when necessary, and for safety reasons, this occurs very rarely in the City of Plymouth. The teams are often deployed to locate lost and missing persons, including children and the elderly, and are often called to assist neighboring cities.

Plymouth’s K9 teams have earned a strong reputation amongst other police departments in the area. Plymouth K9 teams have also earned many trophies and awards throughout the years. The K9 handlers train extensively with their partners and spend a great deal of time together. The dogs inevitably become part of the handler’s family.

S.W.A.T. & Negotiations: Formed in 1980, the Plymouth S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons And Tactics) team consists of team leaders, 11 team members, eight negotiators as well as a mental health advisor. SWAT is called upon to assist with armed individuals, barricaded persons and in situations involving hostages. The team is also used when executing high-risk warrants.

The team trains monthly and attends annual certifications of proficiency. Training includes but is not limited to advanced firearms use, tactical scene management and hostage rescue. All team members are fully outfitted with appropriate gear and must attend a basic tactical officer training academy. The team maintains a negotiations specific vehicle outfitted with state-of-the-art technologies to assist them with resolving complex situations.

Traffic & DWI Unit: Plymouth's Traffic Unit was formed in 1995. The unit’s primary responsibility is to address traffic concerns in the city's residential areas. Additional responsibilities include providing high-visibility traffic enforcement throughout the city, responding to and investigating major traffic accidents, enforcing commercial motor vehicle regulations, and conducting follow-up investigations of traffic-related complaints. Plymouth also has a grant-funded, dedicated traffic officer for impaired driving enforcement.

Investigations

Investigations: The role of this unit is the investigation of crimes and apprehension of suspected offenders. The unit is primarily reactive, with major job tasks of case screening, follow-up investigations, criminal intelligence and background checks. One Sergeant supervises the unit with seven investigators. Five of the investigator positions are long-term assignments and two are rotating assignments lasting two or three years. Crimes handled by the unit are based on two distinct categories: Crimes Against Persons and Property Crimes.

Violent Offenders Task Force (VOTF): one Plymouth officer is selected to work with specialized multi-agency team focused on reducing violent crime in the community. They work to identify, investigate, and apprehend individuals involved in serious offenses such as gun violence, gang activity, and other dangerous criminal behavior. By partnering with local law enforcement agencies, they help ensure that violent offenders are brought to justice, creating a safer environment for all residents of Hennepin County.

Special Investigations Unit (SIU): A team of officers are selected on a rotating assignment to this proactive policing unit. This unit primarily works under-cover on sensitive or complex cases using advanced investigative techniques to gather intelligence, conduct surveillance, and ensure thorough investigations. Their work helps support the overall safety and integrity of the community by proactively investigating newly identified criminal activity. 

Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC): We have a dedicated Internet Crimes Against Children investigator. This investigator receives specialized training and equipment for internet-based crimes against minors. These are often lengthy and challenging cases to prosecute, but our department is committed to protecting our community, particularly our youth. This investigator also assists other investigations related to persons and property crimes as needed.

Schools & Community 

Schools: Currently, Plymouth has seven officers working in schools in each major school district, Wayzata and Robbinsdale. These officers work closely with school administration and are primarily responsible for the safety and security of the schools. Officers also act as a resource for students and staff, participate in classroom presentations, identify and advise on school security vulnerabilities, respond to emergencies, and investigate criminal activity on school grounds.

Community: The department has non-sworn community engagement and outreach employees who work closely with sworn personnel to identify opportunities to connect with the community. Officers interested in assisting with educational presentations and community engagement are encouraged.

Plymouth also has several non-sworn positions including community service officers, desk officers, office support representatives, crime and data analysts, and a community engagement team. Openings for these positions are posted as they become available through the city’s general Human Resources department employment opportunities.

The Plymouth Police Department offers a variety of specialized positions available early in an officer's career.

Training & Continuing Education

To maintain and renew a license, the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) requires officers to complete 48 hours of continuing education within the three-year licensing period.

In addition to the state-mandated training requirements, the Plymouth police officers participate in more than 100 hours of training each year in crisis intervention and response, deescalation, defensive tactics, firearms, leadership and management and more. In addition to the department’s quarterly use of force training, Plymouth is one of the few agencies that regularly allows officers to attend out-of-state trainings, as long as the course reflects the mission and values of the agency.  

Facilities

As a destination department, the City of Plymouth is committed to investing in keeping facilities modern and appealing. The city is currently wrapping up several significant projects that directly benefit the Plymouth Police Department. With the construction and remodel of Plymouth Fire Stations 2 and 3, the city has added a reality-based training lab and a large training room. The Plymouth Community Center is undergoing a significant renovation and expansion, which will allow the department to bring in outside trainers and subject matter experts to provide classroom training and further opportunities for our officers to have the most relevant information to make sound decisions and implement the most modern practices in their career journey.

The Plymouth Police Department is a primary partner at the North Metro Regional Public Safety Training Facility – a law enforcement training facility that provides a place for police officers to complete firearms and other training. The facility is undergoing a significant renovation and expansion. Once complete, the facility will be equipped with two ranges, a two-story training lab for reality-based training, an outdoor training facility, a mat room, a VirTra video simulator for deescalation training and more. 

• A city of 36-square miles, Plymouth is home to 80,000+ diverse residents and is the seventh largest city in Minnesota
• Nationally recognized for quality of life
• Extensive team of 81 sworn officers, support staff, two crime analysts and embedded social worker
• Unparalleled community support for police
• Robust annual training budget (100+ hours of specialized training per officer)
• Forward-thinking, innovative Public Safety Department
• Agency-leader in the development of officer wellness, training and implementation of advanced technology and equipment
• Police Department rotation schedule allows for opportunities for officers to explore various positions
• Variety of specialized positions available early in career
• Family-friendly patrol schedule
• Opportunities for supplemental income
• Strong culture and partnership between police and fire personnel

See how our officers work together firsthand by doing a police officer candidate ride along.
Interested candidates please complete the: Police Officer Candidate Ride Along Request