At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), safety and service are more than just priorities – they’re part of our legacy. The MSP Airport Police Department’s (APD) Part-Time Officer (PTO) Unit exemplifies this legacy through a combination of extensive experience and mission-focused service. Consisting of seasoned professionals – each averaging more than 30 years in law enforcement – the unit plays a crucial role in safeguarding the more than 40 million travelers who pass through MSP every year.
The MSP APD is currently hiring part-time officers. See the job listing here.
With an authorized strength of 27 officers, the PTO Unit works alongside APD’s 99 full-time officers and 30 community service officers to support a dynamic network of over 19,000 airport employees, contractors and vendors. These part-time officers are fully licensed peace officers, bringing a broad range of experience from local, state and federal agencies. Many are retired law enforcement veterans who previously served as patrol officers, investigators, K-9 handlers, supervisors or administrators. Today, they continue their service in a specialized, impactful role – one that values both their expertise and dedication.
A Nationally Recognized Model in Aviation Policing
MSP is one of the busiest and most security-sensitive facilities in the nation. Within this environment, the PTO Unit has become a national model for integrating experienced law enforcement professionals into frontline aviation security.
“Our APD PTO Unit allows us to tap into decades of law enforcement experience that focuses on the TSA checkpoints,” says Lieutenant Jeff Mademann, the unit’s supervisor. “That focus enables our full-time officers to address the broader scope of airport policing needs.”
PTOs are strategically stationed near TSA security screening areas across both terminals. Often the first law enforcement presence travelers encounter, these officers provide a vital layer within MSP’s multi-tiered security system. Armed and fully empowered, they operate under a "community caretaking" philosophy – enforcing laws, assisting travelers and de-escalating situations with a service-first mindset.
Public Safety and Public Service
While their training and authority enable them to respond to emergencies and enforce the law, part-time officers also enhance MSP’s reputation for excellent customer service. “They’re experienced officers who are ready to react to threats,” says APD Chief Matt Christenson. “But they’re just as often reuniting someone with a lost item, helping a family find their gate or calming a nervous traveler.” Their daily duties focus on visibility and engagement. From handling checkpoint issues like prohibited items to managing intoxicated individuals to responding to suspicious behavior, PTOs are on the front lines of both safety and service. The role provides professional fulfillment and camaraderie among a team of like-minded professionals.
Making a Measurable Difference
In 2024 alone, the PTO Unit responded to more than 3,100 calls for service. These included:
- 581 suspicious bag/item reports
- 326 contraband cases
- 318 lost and found property incidents
- 250 public assists
- 107 suspicious person calls
Notably, officers also responded to 64 firearm-related incidents at checkpoints – more than one per week – handling enforcement through citations or arrests based on permit status and intent. Beyond TSA checkpoints, PTOs are involved in addressing badge violations, unauthorized access incidents and medical emergencies, ensuring a swift and professional response across the airport.
Origins in a Time of Change
The PTO program was created in 2004, during a period when the airport’s police force was undergoing changes as many veteran officers retired and new federal security requirements increased staffing demands. Then-Chief Mark Rosenow recognized an opportunity to utilize the skills of retired officers in a flexible, mission-oriented model that has become a key part of MSP’s law enforcement approach.
A Legacy of Leadership and Mentorship
From guiding crime scene management to leading ethics and procedural training, PTOs help shape the next generation of officers by sharing their hard-earned knowledge. For many, it’s also a deeply meaningful way to continue their careers on their own terms.
“These officers carry perspectives from decades of service across multiple agencies,” Deputy Chief Craig Olson said. “Their insights improve our operations every day.”
Structure, Training and Scheduling
The PTO Unit is led by Lieutenant Mademann and functions with peer collaboration and independence. Officers usually work four 8-hour shifts followed by eight days off, totaling about 1,000 hours per year. Shifts start at 4:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m., with no night duty – although holiday and weekend coverage is included in the rotation. PTO officers go through a structured onboarding process, have a condensed field training period, and earn the same annual certifications as full-time officers. Their training covers firearms qualification, first aid, occupational safety compliance and advanced instruction such as suspicious behavior detection – ending with live passenger observation exercises. During Minnesota’s cold winters, all work is done indoors within MSP’s climate-controlled terminals, providing extra comfort and stability to a role that otherwise resembles traditional police duties.
Compensation and Retirement Considerations
PTOs are provisional, part-time employees of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), currently earning $44.58/hour (per the 2023-2025 collective bargaining agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services). The position offers limited benefits, and officers contribute 10% of their gross pay to a tax-advantaged Health Care Savings Plan.
Retirees receiving Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) pensions should be aware of pension-related earnings limits, which could impact their annual income if certain thresholds are surpassed. However, escrowed funds can be recovered upon separation. After a two-year waiting period, they may also be transferred into a tax-deferred IRA.
Retirees from other pension plans will contribute to the PERA Police & Fire fund. The PTO position is not eligible for Social Security contributions but contributes to Medicare.
A Role with Purpose
For law enforcement retirees seeking continued service, flexibility and a sense of purpose, APD’s PTO Unit offers a rewarding opportunity. Officers stay engaged in meaningful public safety efforts while sharing their leadership, integrity, and institutional wisdom at one of the nation’s most critical transportation hubs. At MSP, the mission is clear – and your legacy endures. Please contact Robin Lange, with MAC Human Resources, at robin.lange@mspmac.org for more information.
View PTO Unit job openings at metroairports.org
