Program Description
Ready for a career in criminal justice and public safety? Discover how Hennepin Tech’s Peace Officer program prepares you for a role in law enforcement with top-notch training and education!
Hennepin Tech’s Peace Officer Training program, certified by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST board), provides both the academic and skills training needed for law enforcement.
Hennepin Tech’s Peace Officer and Public Safety graduates are known for their knowledge and experience with diverse communities and the various populations within those communities, their strong tactical skills, and exceptional interpersonal communication and critical thinking skills.
We develop our police officer skills training and education programs with input from the community and stakeholders, focusing on addressing systemic and structural inequities. Our Peace Officer courses emphasize equity, evidence-based practices, and data-informed approaches. We train culturally competent peace officers who are ready to serve all people and communities with dignity and respect.
Students learn Minnesota statutes, the U.S. Constitution, criminal and traffic law, and develop skills needed for daily law enforcement. Our experienced faculty bring a wide range of law enforcement backgrounds to the classroom, preparing students to deliver justice effectively.
The coursework in this program includes student participation in simulated scenarios such as, but not limited to mental health, in-progress crimes, traffic stops and sexual assault.
Workforce services for eligible adults are available through this program authorized by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Wages/Outlook/Advancement
Wage and Job Outlook information for this program are available at Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED). Upon successful completion of the program the student will be eligible to take the Minnesota State Peace Officer License Examination. Completion of this Examination is required in order to obtain entry law enforcement positions with state, county, or local agencies.
Accreditation and Affiliations
Our regional accreditation is North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission.
Hennepin Tech’s Law Enforcement Professional Licensing Program is accredited by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training and is the only program in the Twin Cities that provides both the academic and skills components of the mandated law enforcement curriculum.
Hennepin Tech’s Law Enforcement Professional Licensing Program is a consortium of Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area community colleges of the Minnesota State system. These colleges include:
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- Century College
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- Inver Hills Community College
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- Normandale Community College
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- North Hennepin Community College
Articulations
For a full listing of current articulation agreements, visit the Minnesota Transfer website.
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- Century College
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- Inver Hills Community College
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- Minneapolis Community & Technical College
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- Normandale Community College
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- North Hennepin Community College
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- Metropolitan State University
- St Thomas
- University of Northwestern
- Hamline
- Metro State
- Ridgewater
Industry Partners
Our advisory committee is made up of law enforcement professionals from many different agencies. They help guide the program to keep our curriculum current and cutting-edge.
USDE Professional Licensure Disclosure
The Hennepin Technical College Peace Officer curriculum is designed to help prepare students to sit for the professional licensure exam for Minnesota. At this time, Hennepin Technical College is unable to make a determination if the Peace Officer program meets the licensing requirement for any state or US protectorate besides Minnesota. You will want to contact the licensing board in which state you intend to pursue licensure for their requirements, below we provide a link to a list of each states licensing board. If you have further questions about licensure for Law Enforcement please contact Peace.Officer@HennepinTech.edu.
For more information on state licensing boards and their contact information for Law Enforcement visit the Go Law Enforcement website.
Last reviewed 02/23/2026
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