Open Position – Police Officer
The Hermantown Police Department is accepting applications to fill one or two (1-2) anticipated openings for a full-time police officer in the fall of 2023.
We are seeking applications from both Lateral Entry and Entry Level Candidates. To be eligible for Lateral Entry consideration, candidates must have a minimum of one (1) year of sworn Law Enforcement Experience with a State, County, or Local jurisdiction.
The application, along with a cover letter and resume, must be received or postmarked no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 4, 2023.
Applications can be found on the City of Hermantown’s Careers webpage.
Snapshot of the Hermantown Police Department
The Hermantown Police Department is a very active department that continues to grow and change with the growth of the community. There are currently fifteen full-time officers. The department offers prospective candidates a wide variety of rewarding assignments and specialized positions. Specialized duties (Detective, School Resource Officer, and K-9) are assigned to Patrol Officers on a rotational basis, offering employees many opportunities throughout their careers.
Current Department
- Chief of Police
- Commanders (2)
- Patrol Commander
- Investigative/Administrative Commander
- Patrol Sergeants (2)
- Detectives (2)
- School Resource Officer (1)
- K-9 Handlers (2)
- Firearms Instructors (2)
- Use of Force Instructors (2)
- Drug Recognition Experts (2)
- Certified Glock Armorer (1)
- Certified Rifle Armorer (1)
- FTO Field Training Officers (4)
- ALICE Hostile Event Instructor (5)
Our Patrol squads are very well equipped. Each Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Utility squad has a mobile computer with wireless internet, AXON video equipment, radar unit, P.B.T., tint meter, spike strips, AED, shotgun, and a 40mm Less Lethal Launcher. Officers are provided with a Glock Model 17 9mm handgun, a new M4 Rifle, a cell phone, initial duty gear, soft body armor, and uniforms.
Compensation and Benefits
- Current starting Patrol Officer (Entry Level) hourly wage: $31.01/hour. Current top Patrol Officer wage: $38.12/hour. 2024 starting wage is $32.01 and $39.35 hourly.
- (The City of Hermantown is currently in the process of a mid-contract salary survey.)
Step levels for Lateral Entry hires are negotiated at the time of final job offers.
- Shift Differential Pay ($1.00 per hour)
- Out of Class Pay for Detectives and SRO
- Yearly uniform allowance of $1,000.
- 12-hour shifts, generally working 5 days on, 5 days off, 2 days on, 2 days off (every other weekend off with a 5 day stretch)
- 12 paid holidays
- Excellent Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- On-Duty Physical Fitness Opportunities & Department Fitness Center
- Physical Fitness Incentives – Officers can earn extra paid time off!
Recruitment and Retention Bonuses
- The City of Hermantown is offering newly hired police officers a $10,000 hiring bonus. This bonus will be paid in the following manner
- $6,000 at the completion of the Field Training program
- $4,000 at the completion of the probationary period
Information on the City of Hermantown
The City of Hermantown is a thriving and growing community. The estimated population is 10,221, with growth of over 30% since 2000. Hermantown has a rural feel despite being situated adjacent to the City of Duluth. As a gateway to the Arrowhead Region and proximity to Lake Superior, many inland lakes, many different hiking/biking trails, and other outdoor activities, there is plenty of recreational activities. The Hermantown School District is a huge asset to the community, providing high-quality educational, extra-curricular, and developmental growth. Simply put, Hermantown is an incredible hometown.
Questions?
If you have any questions or would like additional information on the Hermantown Police Department or the City of Hermantown, please call 218-729-1200 and ask for the Chief Crace.
The City of Hermantown is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Honesty, Professionalism, Dedication, and More
It is the mission of the Hermantown Police Department to protect life, liberty, and property without prejudice or bias. We shall be a department in which each officer embraces integrity and professionalism while enforcing the laws of our country, state, and city. It is through our commitment to the community and duty that we shall provide this exemplary level of service to the citizens of Hermantown.
Welcome to the Hermantown Police Department. As your Chief of Police, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our web page.
The Hermantown Police Department was created in 1976 when the community was incorporated as a City. Hermantown consists of 34.3 square miles and a population of just over 10,000 residents; the city is located in St. Louis County and is a suburb of Duluth.
The proud men and women of our police department are dedicated to the protection of our community members and visitors. The HPD consists of 16 sworn Police Officers: a Chief of Police, a Patrol Commander, an Investigative/ Administrative Commander, two Patrol Sergeants, and eleven Patrol Officers. Patrol Officers have several opportunities to serve in specialty positions to include: two Detectives, School Resource Officer / Community Resource Officer, and we have two K-9 Handlers. Our officers provide patrol coverage 24 hours a day / 7 days a week; patrol officers currently work 12-hour rotating shifts. The department is also staffed with three clerical positions, one of which also serves as our Evidence Technician.
HPD officers are not the sole guardians of law and order in our community. I believe that all citizens of this community are “stakeholders” in the community’s well-being. As stakeholders, we are all responsible for paying attention to the problems that challenge us daily. We must work together in partnership to successfully deal with these challenges in order to keep the Hermantown community safe and secure.
We appreciate your interest and encourage you to visit us here often. By choosing to explore this site, you are showing a commendable desire to be more knowledgeable concerning your police department and the individuals who provide for your safety and security.
This website provides you with a variety of information concerning the police department. We invite your comments and look forward to continuing to work with you to continue the dynamic future for Hermantown by making your home, your workplace, and this community a safer place to live.
Thank you for your support of the Hermantown Police Department!
Jim Crace
Chief of Police
Jim Crace
Hermantown Chief of Police
(218) 729-1200
Police Department
5111 Maple Grove Road
P: (218) 729-1200
F: (218) 729-1201
Patrol Commander
Mark Gunderson
(218) 729-1200
Investigation & Administration Commander
Jon Esterbrooks
(218) 729-1200
Sergeant
Griffin Pfeiffer
(218) 729-1251
Sergeant
Jon Pernu
(218) 729-1253

Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Hermantown Police Department to protect life, liberty, and property without prejudice or bias. We shall be a Department in which each officer embraces integrity and professionalism while enforcing the laws of our county, state, and city. It is through our commitment to community and duty that we shall provide this exemplary level of service to the citizens of Hermantown.
A Department of Values
We, the members of the Hermantown Police Deparement, shall strive to be the brothers, the sisters, the leaders that shall be reliable and dedicated to uphold our community’s high standard of quality, with respect and concern for all.
HONESTY – The truth will be our common goal; to seek it, to live by it.
PROFESSIONALISM – Our commitment to excellence will show in everything from our attitude to our appearance.
DEDICATION – Through our dedication and commitment to our duties and community, we shall be proud representatives of the City of Hermantown and our Hermantown Police Department.
FAIRNESS – We shall strive to resolve conflict through eyes of equality and compassion.
INTEGRITY – We shall hold ourselves accountable for securing personal and public trust, and live by a code of moral values.
SAFETY & CONCERN – The protection of life and property will be our highest priority.
TRUST – A result of our honest behavior.
PROACTIVE – We will be aggressive and focused on keeping the community safe, and will always seek feedback on how to plan for a better future.
TEAM WORK – As a community and a department, we will work as one to keep open lines of communication to achieve our common goals.
HONOR – Our honor is not only in our badge, but in our hearts.