Patrol Officer

Waukesha Police Department; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 73,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

The Waukesha Police Department is accepting applications for the Patrol Officer/Recruit position. Lateral transfers are accepted. The current contract (2026-2028) offers a salary range of $72,566.42 to $102,708.94 with academy training considerations and progression to full officer pay after academy completion.

Applicants must be 20+ years old, a U.S. citizen, possess a valid Wisconsin Driver's License, have no felony convictions, and meet college-credit requirements or certification

Qualifications

• Be 20 years or older at hire and a U.S. citizen.
• Possess valid Wisconsin Driver's License.
• Have no felony convictions.
• Be certified by the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board or be eligible for certification.
• Have a minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited university, college or technical school at time of hire for certified/certifiable applicants.
• Have a minimum of 40 college credits from an accredited university, college, or technical school at the start of recruit academy for non-certified applicants.
• Pass a physical agility test, written examination, oral interviews, thorough background investigation, polygraph test (if applicable), medical exam including a drug screen and a psychological assessment prior to the time of hiring.

Responsibilities

• Apply the principles of safety, communication, teamwork and accountability into all police operations.
• Patrol and police assigned areas on foot, in squad cars or other police vehicles.
• Utilize communication equipment to report in, call for assistance, receive calls in both emergency or non-emergency situations, etc.
• Conduct investigations of auto or other accidents, complaints, domestic disputes, crimes against persons or property, missing persons, or other such investigations as assigned.
• Render first aid at accidents.
• Serve official notices and summons upon individuals issued by the court or other competent authority and make arrests.
• Appear as a witness and give testimony at hearings and court trials when associated to the official duties of police officer on behalf of the City.
• Perform other general duties for the purpose of law enforcement e.g., writing and filing of reports, ticketing for violations, directing traffic, crowd control, etc.
• File reports, make checks of incarcerated persons in department lock-up and perform other related assignments as prescribed.
• Operate police vehicles and other department equipment.
• May assist other department personnel as directed with investigations, interrogations, apprehensions in unusual or emergency situations.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Physical endurance

Decision making

Education

60 college credits (certified)

40 college credits (non-certified)

Wisconsin certification eligibility

Job description

*We accept lateral transfers. Any applicant that passes the initial application screening may be on an accelerated hiring process timeline.

IMPORTANT: Additional information for all applicants including information regarding the process and performance standards for the physical agility test can be found at: Applicant Link Info

Performs general law enforcement duties contributing to the prevention, suppression and detection of crime, protection of citizen's rights, welfare and property, and enforcement of ordinances and laws within the City of Waukesha and/or work with other law enforcement agencies and city departments.

The City of Waukesha Board of Police and Fire Commissioners is accepting applications for the position of Patrol Officer/Recruit. Lateral transfers accepted per the Waukesha Professional Police Association (WPPA) Labor Agreement(Article 20.01(B)) pertaining to pay and vacation accrual. Attendance/Completion of Police Recruit Academy is not a requirement to apply. Applicants who are hired and required to attend the Basic Police Recruit Academy will be compensated at a designated academy training rate until successful completion of the academy, at which time they will advance to the full starting pay for the Police Officer position.

The range for the current contract (2026-2028) will be $72,566.42 - $102,708.94.

The application process is ongoing. Successful applicants will be notified via email to schedule a physical agility test, written test, and panel interview.

Applicants must:

• Be 20 years of age or older as of hire date.
• Possess valid Wisconsin Driver's License.
• Be a US Citizen.
• Have no felony convictions.
• Be certified by the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board or be eligible for certification.
• Have a minimum of 60 college credits from an accredited university, college or technical school at time of hire for certified/certifiable applicants.
• Have a minimum of 40 college credits from an accredited university, college, or technical school at the start of recruit academy for non-certified applicants.
• Pass a physical agility test, written examination, oral interviews, thorough background investigation, polygraph test (if applicable), medical exam including a drug screen and a psychological assessment prior to the time of hiring.

Explore the City benefits here: City of Waukesha Benefit Guide

Specific Accountabilities:

1. Apply the principles of safety, communication, teamwork and accountability into all police operations.
2. Patrol and police assigned areas on foot, in squad cars or other police vehicles.
3. Utilize communication equipment to report in, call for assistance, receive calls in both emergency or non-emergency situations, etc.
4. Conduct investigations of auto or other accidents, complaints, domestic disputes, crimes against persons or property, missing persons, or other such investigations as assigned.
5. Render first aid at accidents.
6. Serve official notices and summons upon individuals issued by the court or other competent authority and make arrests.
7. Appear as a witness and give testimony at hearings and court trials when associated to the official duties of police officer on behalf of the City.
8. Perform other general duties for the purpose of law enforcement e.g., writing and filing of reports, ticketing for violations, directing traffic, crowd control, etc.
9. File reports, make checks of incarcerated persons in department lock-up and perform other related assignments as prescribed.
10. Operate police vehicles and other department equipment.
11. May assist other department personnel as directed with investigations, interrogations, apprehensions in unusual or emergency situations.

The Police and Fire Commission requires that Police Officers be certified by the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board or have a minimum of 40 credits from an accredited university, college or technical school prior to the start of the recruit academy for non-certified applicants (60 college credits required for certified/certifiable applicants). Attendance/Completion of Police Recruit Academy is not a requirement to apply. Further, they require that Police Officers be U.S. citizens, be 20 years of age or older as of hire date, possess a valid Wisconsin Drivers License, and have no felony convictions.

Required Abilities:

• Ability to perform in psychologically adverse working conditions
• Considerable skill in communication
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, administrators and the public
• Ability sustain considerable physical effort involving performance of duties in situations of personal danger, with exposure to all types of weather conditions.
• Ability to take and maintain safety precautions in performance of work.

The City of Waukesha is an Equal Opportunity Employer