About
The Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training (ICPOET) Program provides grant funding to assist Minnesota law enforcement agencies with hiring.
The ICPOET appropriation is designed to recruit candidates who may be interested in a career transition into law enforcement at a time when vacancies are high across the state. At the end of 2023, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) released a request for proposal (RFP) for law enforcement agencies to apply for this program.
Second request for proposals is open.
OJP has opened its second request for proposal (RFP) period for law enforcement agencies to apply for this program. OJP will reimburse law enforcement agencies for the costs of a candidate who already holds a two or four-year degree from a regionally accredited college or university while they obtain the required Professional Peace Officer Education (PPOE). This includes the candidate’s salary while they are attending schooling in a cohort-style offering.
See full Request for Proposals for more information.
2025 ICPOET Scoring Rubric
2nd Version Q & A
ICPOET Round 2 Info Session (PowerPoint Slides)
ICPOET Round 2 Info Session II: Tuesday,
July 23, 2024, from 10:45-11:30 am Register Here
Agencies awarded new recruitment grant funding
The 35 law enforcement agencies across the state that will receive the inaugural
round of funding have been announced. The agencies are listed on the map to the right. Click on the map to view an interactive version of the map where you can click on an agency and contact them.
The agencies receiving this funding will sponsor 50 candidates with two- and four-year degrees who want to make a career transition into law enforcement. All candidates will attend an intensive, comprehensive training program at Alexandria Technical & Community College from Oct. 1 through February 2025 or Hennepin Technical College from Oct. 14 through March 2025. During this time, candidates will go through the same training that a traditional peace officer student completes.
“Minnesotans deserve to feel safe no matter where they live," said DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson. “Our goal is to provide this for them, but staffing challenges make this increasingly difficult."
Agencies are accepting applications and a number of them have already filled their sponsorships. Other agencies still have openings. People interested in becoming a peace officer should contact one of the agencies on the as soon as possible to determine if they're still looking for candidates. Recruiting deadlines vary but they are fast approaching. ICPOET candidates must be hired by September to begin training on time.
“The incentives of this training program are plentiful," said ICPOET Grant Administrator Mary Vukelich. “But this isn't a free ride. Students will have to fully commit to this intensive and comprehensive curriculum that will give them the skills to become a licensed officer."
ICPOET vs. Pathway to Policing programs
The following chart highlights how ICPOET and the Pathway to Policing grant programs compare to one another.
Information for Law Enforcement
Are you a law enforcement agency considering applying for ICPOET grant funding?
Click on the flowchart below to determine the ways you can prepare for the program.
Additional recruitment and retention resources:
Information for Potential ICPOET Candidates
The ICPOET Program is designed to benefit two-and-four-year college graduates or individuals who are looking to pursue a career transition into law enforcement.
ICPOET candidates are required to complete the intensive comprehensive training curriculum, which will equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to be a licensed peace officer. The training program will last no more than eight months and will be offered at Alexandria Technical Community College and Hennepin Technical College.
Candidates who complete the training will be hired as an employee of the law enforcement agency who sponsored them and earn a salary
while completing training. Please note: the expected commitment expected could differ from agency to agency.
Considering a career in law enforcement?
Click on the flowchart below to determine whether the ICPOET Program is a good fit for you!
People interested in applying for law enforcement careers are encouraged to visit the POST Board's Careers webpage to view a list of current openings across Minnesota. The QR code below will take you directly to that webpage.
Contact
Law enforcement agencies can also schedule individual information sessions by reaching out to Mary.
Program Administrator
Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training (ICPOET) Program
651-201-7623
