Law Enforcement Careers in North Dakota

According to the FBI Uniform Reporting Program, violent crime in North Dakota rose slightly between 2018 and 2019 at .7%. However, crime remains very low in this state, totaling just 2,169 incidents of violent crime in 2019.

Part of the reason for the relatively low crime rate in this state is due to the active efforts of law enforcement agencies at every level across the state. A career as a municipal police officer, sheriff’s deputy, or state trooper are excellent choices for anyone who wants to help hold the line against crime and criminals in North Dakota.

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Jobs with the North Dakota Highway Patrol

The North Dakota Highway Patrol helps to create a safe environment for drivers on the roads of North Dakota. In 2018, there were 105 fatal crashes on the state’s highways resulting in 115 fatalities… a 10-year low for the state, partially the result of concerted efforts by the state patrol to bring down DUI numbers in the state.

Anyone trying to join their ranks and get in on the fight is required to have either a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree combined with 2 years of military service or work experience interacting with the public. Having had a felony or domestic violence conviction will cause an applicant to be disqualified.

Jobs with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in North Dakota

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation Division (BCI) assists the efforts of other law enforcement agencies to conduct criminal and drug enforcement investigations and maintains the sex offender and criminal history registration systems. It also provides training for those in law enforcement and educates the public on the dangers and signs of drug abuse. The agency also has one of the few dedicated cybercrime units in the state.

Jobs with Sheriff’s Departments in North Dakota

In a largely rural state, it follows that most law enforcement agencies will be established at the county level, and that means a lot of opportunities to work as a sheriff’s deputy in North Dakota. In some cases, you don’t necessarily have to choose between agencies; recently, the cities of Bismarck and Mandan, and Burleigh and Morton counties combined their application and testing process for establishing a common pool for new hires.

Grand Forks County

Recent reorganizations in the sheriff’s department in Grand Forks County has opened up opportunities for deputies and new supervisory roles to aim for eventual promotions.

Morton County

Most of the 36 sworn personnel in the office of the Morton County Sheriff are assigned to patrol and corrections. Additional assignments include civil process and warrants, and investigations.

Ward County

The Ward County Sheriff’s Department has two divisions: the Investigations Division and the Patrol Division. Applicants for the position of deputy in Ward County must have at least a high school diploma along with at least a year of full time work experience with the public. The department prefers those who have a two-year college degree and a year’s experience working in law enforcement.

Jobs with Municipal Police Departments in North Dakota

There are fewer municipal police agencies in North Dakota than in many more heavily urbanized states, but they still require quality candidates for the position of police officer and deal with the same issues of violence and drug-related crime as officers in larger cities.

Bismarck PD

The members of the Bismarck Police Department are dedicated to fighting crime in Bismarck, which has a rates of violent and property crime considerably higher than the national average in the U.S.

Fargo PD

The Fargo Police Department has 181 sworn officers who work to protect the over 122,000 residents of this city. The rates of both violent and property crime is higher in Fargo than in most other U.S. cities. Police officers in Fargo are members of the Investigative, Intelligence, or the Narcotics Units. The Narcotics Unit is also responsible for fighting gangs and prostitution.

Grand Rapids PD

The members of the Operations Division of the Grand Rapids Police Department are divided into three bureaus: the Uniform Patrol Bureau, the Community Resources Bureau, and the Criminal Investigations Bureau. This division also includes a K-9 program, a bicycle patrol, and special purpose vehicles.

Minot PD

The members of the Minot Police Department fight crime in this metropolis that has higher property crime rates than much of the country, but lower than average rates of violent crime. Anyone interested in becoming a police officer in Minot is required have an AA degree in Criminal Justice. A four year degree can make a candidate even more competitive.

North Dakota Law Enforcement Salaries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for law enforcement officers in North Dakota was $64,470 as of May 2021.

The following police/sheriff’s department salary data was sourced from May 2021 BLS stats (early career = 25th percentile, senior/late career = 90th percentile).

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Police Officer Salaries

Officers in municipal police departments in North Dakota tend to start at a relatively higher salary than in more rural agencies, and their high end pay can top out above $80,000 each year, as it does with the Fargo Police Department.

Bismarck Police Department

  • Entry – $61,190
  • Senior – $77,350

Fargo Police Department

  • Entry – $63,970
  • Senior – $81,850

Grand Forks Police Department

  • Entry – $60,040
  • Senior – $80,820

Minot Police Department

  • Entry – $48,570
  • Senior – $79,190

Sheriff’s Deputy Salaries

Sheriff deputies cover the bulk of the territory across the state of North Dakota, and many have salaries that rival their city counterparts.

McLean County Sheriff’s Department

  • Entry – $48,570
  • Senior – $79,190

Ward County Sheriff’s Department

  • Entry – $48,180
  • Mid-level – $62,310
  • Senior – $81,850

State Trooper and State Police Salaries

North Dakota state troopers get the best of both worlds—their training and professionalism is near the top among all police agencies in the state, and they enjoy a better than average salary range throughout their careers as well.

North Dakota Highway Patrol

  • Entry – $50,960
  • Senior – $81,850

2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for police and sheriff’s patrol officers. Job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2022.

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