2008 starting salary $37,703. After 20 steps $67,043.
The West Fargo Police Department conducts testing to establish an eligibility list for the position of police officer. Testing is done approximately every 18 months with a hiring list being kept for future openings. (Testing may be conducted sooner if the need arises) Minimum requirements include: possess an associates degree in Criminal Justice or related field or have two years college (60 semester /90 quarter credits) in a related field from an accredited college; have normal vision correctable to a minimum of 20/30 in both eyes; have hearing in both ears in normal range; be at least 21 years of age at time of testing; have United States citizenship, or a resident legal alien under federal law; possess a valid North Dakota driver's license or be eligible to be licensed in North Dakota; possess a current North Dakota Law enforcement Officer License or be eligible to be licensed in North Dakota within 30 days.
Candidates are required to take a physical agility test and written examination. The performance of the candidates will be scored. The top ten candidates will receive an oral interview. If a job offer is made the candidate must successfully complete and pass a background investigation, a psychological exam, polygraph exam and a complete physical exam.
The primary duties of this position include enforcement of laws, investigation of crimes, responding to emergency situations and other delegated duties. The work schedule will include nights, holidays and weekends on a varying schedule.
Uniforms and equipment are provided by the department. There is a twelve month probationary period before being appointed to full time status. The successful candidate must also pass an twelve week Field Training Course which has been designed by and for the West Fargo Police Department.
Individuals interested in a position with the West Fargo Police Department should send a resume to:
West Fargo Police Department
Attn: SSO Pete Nielsen
800 4th Ave E, Suite 2
West Fargo, ND 58078
Our testing procedure is as follows:
Physical Task Fitness Test (see below for further infomation)
Written exam (national test used by many departments)
Oral interview ( before a board of officers and staff)
Psychological Test (For anyone who is not currently licensed in ND
or has not attended the ND Skills Course offered in Devils Lake ND
through UND).
Polygraph Test
Interview with the Chief of Police
Once a conditional job offer is made the applicant will be
required to pass a physical exam. This exam will be conducted
by a licensed physician chosen by the City of West Fargo and paid for
by the City of West Fargo.
PHYSICAL TASK FITNESS TEST
WEST FARGO POLICE DEPARTMENT
This test is comprised of five parts: push-ups, sit-ups, a flexibility test (sit and reach), 1 ½ mile run, and a muscular strength and endurance test. The Fitness Test Is A Pass/Fail Test. Those individuals passing the fitness test will be asked to take the written exam for police officer.
Push-up (muscular strength and endurance)
This is a test of the maximum number of push-ups that an applicant can perform in 1 minute. It measures the strength of the upper body, particularly the pectoral (chest) and triceps (back of arm) muscles.
Applicant must complete a minimum of 21 push ups in one (1) minute. This is a test of the maximum number of push-ups that an applicant can perform in 1 minute. The applicant may rest in the up position only.
Instructions for test:
MALES: Starting position- Applicant must push entire body, including legs, off the floor until the arms are fully extended, back must remain straight. From the starting position; lower torso until chest is approximately 3 inches from the floor; then push back up to the starting position. Repeat as many times as possible.
FEMALES: Starting position- Applicant must push upper body off the floor until arms are fully extended. The applicant's knees must stay in contact with the floor and back must remain straight. The applicant will lower herself until chest is approximately 4 inches from the floor; then push back up to the starting position. Repeat as many times as possible.
Sit-up (muscular strength and endurance).
This test evaluates the strength and endurance of the abdominal and hip flexion muscles.
Applicant must do a minimum of 30 sit-ups in one (1) minute.
Instructions for test: The applicant will lie on their back with knees bent at a 90 degree angle and feet flat on the floor. The applicant must cross their arms against the chest. He/she will sit-up, touching the elbows to the knees, then lower the upper body and return to the original position. This is one repetition. If the applicant fails to keep both feet on the floor, fails to keep arms crossed against the chest, or fails to touch the elbows to the knees, that repetition will not count. The applicant performs as many correct sit-ups as possible in one minute.
Flexibility (sit and reach)
This test measures the flexibility of the hamstring (back of the upper legs) and erector spine (lower back) muscle structure. These are two vital areas for injury prevention.
Police officers are expected to lift and at times carry 70 or more pounds: such as placing a stretcher in to an ambulance or assisting a person from the ground to a vehicle. The higher the score on the flexibility test, the less likely an officer will strain their back, pull a muscle, or receive other injuries.
Instruction for test: Applicant must reach a minimum of 15.1 inches. The applicant sits on the floor with legs straight and heels placed a shoulder's width apart. A yardstick is placed between the legs with the 15 inch mark at the heels of the feet and the one inch mark pointing toward the groin. The person reaches forward with both hands as far as possible and holds the position momentarily. The distance is recorded from the end of his/her fingertips.
1 ½ mile run (cardiovascular endurance).
This is a timed run to measure the heart and vascular system's capability to transport oxygen. This is an important area for performing police tasks involving stamina and endurance (chasing suspects on foot, running up steps) and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Applicant must complete 1 ½ mile run in 14.41 minutes.
Muscular Strength and Endurance Test (obstacle course).
This test evaluates the strength and endurance of the hands, arms, back, and legs.
Physical strength may be required while performing the rescue of a person from a vehicle or building, or during a pursuit in an area where there are obstacles. These obstacles include: fences or walls to climb over or under, open windows to crawl through for rescue or pursuit of a subject, steadily dry firing a service revolver to demonstrate a shooting situation after physical exertion.
Instructions for test: Applicant must complete obstacle course in one minute. Applicants must run an obstacle course approximately 120 yards in length. Obstacles will include: ascending/ descending a 17 step stairway; running and weaving between traffic cones; dragging a 165 pound dummy for a distance of 40 feet; crawling under a 30 inch high obstacle; climbing over a 48 inch high obstacle; dry firing a revolver six times strong hand/ six times weak hand.
NOTE:
BEFORE THE PHYSICAL TEST WILL BE ADMINISTERED, applicant must sign an applicant's statement and have the physician's statement signed and notarized. You must bring the document with you when reporting for the physical portion of the testing procedure. Medical Waiver Form
Please wear appropriate warm clothing when being tested: jogging shorts, sweats, and running shoes are suggested. (This is inside but the building is very cool, so dress in layers!)
The test will take approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours.
The Physical Task Fitness Test is a test for evaluating the applicant's physical ability to perform the essential functions for a West Fargo Police Officer position. The following is a list of, but not limited to, ten essential functions of the West Fargo Police Officer position.
TEN ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Drive, Operate, and Maintain Departmental Vehicles.
Perform Patrol Function.
Communicate Orally and in Writing.
Conduct Investigations and Interviews.
Conduct Searches and Seizures.
Make Custodial Arrests.
Perform Public Safety Operations.
Use Force.
Provide Care and Treatment to Citizens and Prisoners.
Perform Rescue Operations and Render Citizen Assistance.
The skills and tasks needed to perform essential functions, for the West Fargo police officer position in no significant order are: booking prisoners, carrying, climbing, collecting evidence, communicating nonverbally, computing arithmetic, conducting searches, controlling fights, controlling/restraining crowds, defending self/others, determining sobriety, distinguishing color, dragging, driving (routine and emergency), evading physical attack, executing warrants, fingerprinting, frisking, hearing, hitting, interpreting nonverbal communication, interviewing, investigating accidents, investigating crime, lifting, making custodial arrests, making decisions, maintaining vehicles, managing stress, memorizing, negotiating, operating a computer, orally communicating, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, performing first aid, photographing (still and video), preserving crime scenes, operating radios, reading , reading maps, reasoning, running, seeing, shooting, sitting, smelling, speaking, standing, surveillance, safety, swimming, testifying in court, traffic control/direction, typing, using force, using interpersonal skills, using protective clothing and equipment, vaulting, walking and writing.
The physical task fitness portion in testing for the West Fargo Police Officer position will test for agility, balance, carrying, climbing, coordination, dragging, endurance, flexibility, gripping, jumping, lifting, manual dexterity, power, pulling, pushing, reaching, reflexes, running, sitting, standing, strength, and throwing.
Drive, Operate, and Maintain Departmental Vehicles.
Coordination, flexibility, griping, manual dexterity, reaching, reflexes, and sitting.
Provide Care and Treatment to Citizens and Prisoners.
Agility, carrying, coordination, dragging, flexibility, gripping, lifting, manual dexterity, power, pulling, pushing, reaching, reflexes, running, standing, and strength.