North Dakota Police Badge Requirements & Regulations Guide
Complete guide to POST Board certification, badge traditions, and law enforcement credentials in North Dakota
North Dakota law enforcement badges are governed by POST Board. All sworn officers must complete 520 hours of training. North Dakota has 53 counties with elected sheriffs using star badges, while municipal police use shield badges. Fargo Police is the largest department. North Dakota is the 4th least populous state. Extreme cold (-40ยฐF) requires cold-weather badge considerations.
- 53 county sheriff offices
- POST Board certification required
- Minimum training: 520 hours
- Population rank: 47th
- All sheriffs use star badges; police use shields
North Dakota Law Enforcement Overview
North Dakota’s law enforcement structure includes 53 county sheriff offices and numerous municipal police departments. County sheriffs serve as primary law enforcement in rural areas, while municipal departments cover cities and towns. Fargo Police is the largest department in the state.
Certification Requirements
POST Board establishes certification requirements for all law enforcement officers in North Dakota. Basic training requires 520 hours including criminal code, patrol procedures, firearms qualification, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, and crisis intervention.
North Dakota Badge Traditions
All 53 North Dakota county sheriffs use star-shaped badges, typically 5-point or 6-point designs with county name displayed. Gold finish for sheriff; silver for deputies. Municipal police departments use shield-shaped badges following the national police tradition.
Major North Dakota Law Enforcement Agencies
North Dakota’s major agencies include the state police/highway patrol, Fargo Police, and county sheriff offices. Each maintains distinct badge designs reflecting their jurisdiction and traditions.
- Hard enamelโwithstands climate conditions
- Quality plating (20+ mils)โprevents wear and tarnishing
- Star badges for sheriffs; shield badges for police
Frequently Asked Questions
โ How long does North Dakota certification take?
North Dakota requires 520 hours of basic training at a certified academy, typically 13-18 weeks depending on the program, plus field training with the hiring agency.
โ Do all North Dakota sheriffs use star badges?
Yes. All 53 North Dakota county sheriffs use star-shaped badges, maintaining traditional law enforcement iconography.
โ Can I transfer my certification to North Dakota?
North Dakota offers reciprocity for officers certified in other states, subject to approval. You’ll typically need to complete state-specific legal training.
- North Dakota has 53 county sheriff offices
- POST Board certification (520 hours) required
- All sheriffs use star badges; police use shields
- Fargo Police is the largest department
The Bottom Line
North Dakota maintains traditional law enforcement structures with 53 county sheriffs using star badges. For more information on badge procurement, see our complete badge procurement guide.