Law Enforcement, Peace Officer and Public Safety
Category: Emergency, Public and Social ServiceProgram Description
Ready for a career in criminal justice and public safety? Discover how Hennepin Tech’s Peace Officer program prepares you for a role in law enforcement with top-notch training and education!
Hennepin Tech's Peace Officer Training program, certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST board), provides both the academic and skills training needed for law enforcement.
Hennepin Tech’s Peace Officer and Public Safety graduates are known for their knowledge and experience with diverse communities and the various populations within those communities, their strong tactical skills, and exceptional interpersonal communication and critical thinking skills.
We develop our police officer skills training and education programs with input from the community and stakeholders, focusing on addressing systemic and structural inequities. Our Peace Officer courses emphasize equity, evidence-based practices, and data-informed approaches. We train culturally competent peace officers who are ready to serve all people and communities with dignity and respect.
Students learn Minnesota statutes, the U.S. Constitution, criminal and traffic law, and develop skills needed for daily law enforcement. Our experienced faculty bring a wide range of law enforcement backgrounds to the classroom, preparing students to deliver justice effectively.
The coursework in this program includes student participation in simulated scenarios such as, but not limited to mental health, in-progress crimes, traffic stops and sexual assault.
Please review the following to determine whether the associate degree or certificate is right for you.
- Students with little or no college credits should apply and enter the Peace Officer associate degree program.
- Students with an associates or bachelors degree in another field should contact the program (email: Peace.Officer@HennepinTech.edu) to review their completed coursework.
- Any student unsure whether they should complete the associate degree or certificate should contact the program.
Mission
Hennepin Technical College is committed to providing peace officer education programs designed to eliminate systemic and structural inequities; developed using community and stakeholder input; and focused on equity-minded, evidenced-based, and data-informed practices. Our programs will deliver, monitor, and assess education and training of culturally competent peace officers who are prepared to deliver justice and serve all people and communities with dignity and respect.
Vision
Hennepin Technical College recognizes the impact of peace officers and other criminal justice professionals in protecting, serving, and transforming lives. We exist to build a better future for our students, their families, and the communities our graduates serve by eliminating systemic and structural inequities in educational access and outcomes and delivering programming that ensures our graduates are prepared to serve with a steadfast commitment to our core values.
Core Values for Our Programs and Students
- Cultural competency and responsiveness
- Empathy and compassion
- Accountability and integrity
- Humanity and humility
- Social and procedural justice
- Trauma-informed decision-making
- Service to and input from our communities
- Advocacy at local, regional, state, and national levels
- Quality through research and continuous improvement
Program Information
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Class Time: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening
Semester: Fall or Spring Semester; Summer (practical skills offered)
Campus: Peace Officer & Police Science Center, Brooklyn Park
Skills Required
To enter the program, you will need to possess:
- a valid driver's license
- pass a criminal background check
- not be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm
- pass a psychological exam that would certify you would not be a harm to yourself or others
- pass a physical exam which indicates you have sufficient strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance to satisfactorily complete the firearms, defensive tactics and patrol tactics included in the skills portion of the program
Program Requirements
- Any student entering the Peace Officer associates or certificate program must meet the Minimum Selection Standards Advisory Form standards
- All Hennepin Tech students are required to pass a physical fitness test during the skills component. Testing will be conducted on the Concept2 Rower at the 60 percentile according to a person's age, gender and weight.
- Applicants must row 2000 meters, scoring at or above the minimum 60 percentile on their test in order to pass the fitness test.
- The 2000 meter test takes place at the level 5 or damper setting 5 on the flywheel
- To view requirements, please visit the Minnesota State Trooper Candidate website and enter your age, gender and weight .
Wages/Outlook/Advancement
Wage and Job Outlook information for this program are available at Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED). Upon successful completion of the program the student will be eligible to take the Minnesota State Peace Officer License Examination. Completion of this Examination is required in order to obtain entry law enforcement positions with state, county, or local agencies.
Are you a current student with a question?
Contact OneStop today!
Email: OneStop@HennepinTech.edu
Phone: 952-995-1300
Calendar
Summer 2025 Peace Officer Application
Fall 2025 Peace Officer Application
Peace Officer News
Governor Walz Announces ICPOET Grant at Hennepin Technical College
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Hennepin Tech Hosts Criminal Justice Career Exploration Day
Friday, September 27, 2024
Hennepin Tech Receives Updated Squad Car Fleet Thanks to $1M Federal Grant
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Hennepin Tech awarded million-dollar federal grant for police training
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
