For those wishing to pursue a police job in North Dakota they must first meet all minimum requirements and apply to take the law enforcement exam. Once you receive your exam score you must apply online and submit your score. At this point in the process you may or may not be contacted for an oral interview. After the oral interview you must submit to an extensive background check. At this point in the process you may or may not be offered a position of employment. If offered a position, candidates need to complete all the tests required of police officers (polygraph test, psychological exam, medical exam, and drug screening). If all these are passed and a candidate has been offered a position, they will then be sent to a North Dakota police academy for basic training. After basic training the candidates are trained on the field before becoming a full police officer.

North Dakota State Requirements

Interestingly enough, many police departments in North Dakota only require applicants to be at least 18 years of age, however, they must possess a minimum of 60 college credits or an associate’s degree. Therefore the majority of their applicants are older than 18. Applicants in North Dakota must also have a valid ND driver’s license, have no criminal felonies or serious misdemeanors and no instances of domestic violence. Applicants may not have used or possessed marijuana in the last 2 years, may not have used or had steroids in their possession in the last 5 years, and may not have used or possessed other illegal substances at all. If you meet these requirements you may fill out an application to take the law enforcement exam, which would begin the lengthy application process for an individual wishing to apply.

Average Police Officer Salary in North Dakota

The average salary of regular patrol officers in North Dakota is 45,400 a year. This number could be higher or lower in actuality depending on an officer’s location, education and years of experience. In order to gain a higher rate of pay an officer needs to work for a number of years in good standing, or be eligible for a rank promotion. Furthering ones education would be another way of achieving a higher pay. North Dakota’s criminal investigators and detectives make an average of 66,500 a year. And supervisors can be paid around 71,700 a year (higher or lower depending on the factors listed above).

North Dakota Law Enforcement Schooling Programs

Most City Police Departments in North Dakota require a minimum of 60 college credit hours before applying with the force. Therefore it is vital that you meet this requirement to be considered for hire. The following list is some of the schools in North Dakota which offer college degrees in criminal justice or other law enforcement related subjects. There are also online programs available through other colleges across the country that would meet this requirement as well.

  • Bismarck State College

1500 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58506

701-224-5400

  • Jamestown College

6000 College Lane, Jamestown, ND 58405

701-252-3467

  • Lake Region State College

1801 College Drive N, Devils Lake, ND 58301

701-662-1600

  • Minot State University

500 University Avenue West, Minot, ND 58707

800-777-0750

  • North Dakota State University

1340 Administration Avenue, Fargo, ND 58102

701-231-8011

  • Sitting Bull College

9299 Hwy. 24, Fort Yates, ND 58538

701-854-8000

  • Turtle Mountain Community College

PO Box 340, Belcourt, ND 58316

701-477-7862

  • United Tribes Technical College

3315 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504

701-255-3285

  • University of Mary

7500 University Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504

701-355-8030

  • University of North Dakota

264 Centennial Drive, Grand Forks, ND 58202

701-777-3000