Police Officer

Greendale Police Department; Greendale (WI); On-site; USD 46,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Greendale Police Department seeks a Patrol Officer to assist the Chief of Police in maintaining law and order within the Village of Greendale. The role involves patrol, crime prevention, and potential investigative duties across various assignments with rotating shifts.

Officers must exercise independent judgment, handle high-pressure situations, and engage with the public with discretion and tact. Starting pay is $33.07 per hour or $67,585.42 per year, with steps increasing with experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in patrol and traffic enforcement.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in emergency situations.
• Strong communication and tact when interacting with the public.

Responsibilities

• Patrol residential and commercial property by vehicle, observe and report crimes; maintain radio contact with dispatch; back up other units as required.
• Respond to emergencies, accidents, and requests from citizens; assist investigations and gather information.
• Secure scenes, interview witnesses, and prepare reports; enforce traffic regulations and direct traffic as needed.
• Investigate suspicious activity, conduct searches, and transport individuals as needed; testify in court if required.

Skills

Public contact

Independent judgment

Discretion

Emergency response

Tools

Radar unit

Job description

Under the general direction of the Chief of Police, Captain, Lieutenant and Sergeant, the Patrol Officer is responsible for assisting the Chief of Police in maintaining law and order within the corporate limits of the Village of Greendale.

An employee of this rank may be assigned to uniformed patrol, crime prevention, investigative work, juvenile work or other specialized Department activity. Work involves an element of personal danger in the pursuit of duties. Officers must exercise independent judgment in meeting both routine and complex emergency situations and act without direct supervision. A significant portion of time involves public contact where discretion and tact is to be conscientiously exercised. Assignments and instructions are received in general terms from a superior officer who reviews and evaluates work methods and results through reports, observations and discussions.

The Patrol Officer's regular tour of duty shall be set by the Chief of Police. Hours: Various shifts with rotating days off, per Contract

Unless otherwise stated, all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications stated herein are essential functions of this position. This position shall be reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis, by the Chief of Police.

Factors considered in a lateral applicant's entry wage include the level of certification, agency size, specialized training and assignments and other job related factors that would help an officer be successful in our agency. "Police experience" refers to completion of a probationary period and currently employed by a municipal, county or state police agency. Corrections, reserve officers, security officers and federal experience does not fulfill our requirement for certified police experience as a lateral applicant. Successful lateral candidates who are currently employed full-time will start at a higher pay step than entry level candidates. Vacation time will also be adjusted according to police experience.

Starting pay for Patrol Officer: $33.07 per hour/$67,585.42 per year

Lateral pay steps for 2026:

• 1 year experience: Step 2- $38.55 per hour
• 2 years experience: Step 3- $41.30 per hour
• 3 years experience: Step 4- $44.04 per hour
• After 4 years: $46.79 per hour/$95,633.53 per year

Pay for 2027:

• Start: $34.06 per hour=$69,612.98 per year
• After 1 year: $39.71 per hour
• After 2 years: $42.54 per hour
• After 3 years: $45.36 per hour
• After 4 years: $48.19 per hour/$98,502.54 per year

Supervisor: Patrol Sergeant, Police Lieutenant, Police Captain, Chief of Police

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE POSITION

The Patrol Officer is directly responsible to the Patrol Sergeant and ensures the constitutional rights of all citizens. He/she will impartially enforce the laws of the State of Wisconsin and the ordinances of the Village of Greendale.

The Patrol Officer carries out departmental functions primary to the prevention of criminal activity and providing day- to-day police services to the community.

The Patrol Officer, after a testing process, shall be appointed by the Police and Fire Commission, and shall hold office subject to suspension or removal by the Commission for cause.

The Patrol Officer shall obey all legal orders and directives.

Work involves responsibility for the protection of life and property, prevention of crime, investigation of crime, apprehension of criminals and the enforcement of laws and ordinances.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Patrol residential and commercial property in a vehicle to observe, prevent or terminate unlawful acts; maintains radio contact with dispatch; reports crimes or unusual situations; responds to calls or initiates actions; backs up other units as required.
• Respond to a wide range of citizen needs and requests, at times under emergency situations; e.g., accidents, rescue efforts, search for missing person(s), alarms and in-progress felonies.
• Respond to calls involving traffic crashes and other serious accidents; secure scene to protect victims and property; give first aid and calls for medical assistance; interview participants and witnesses; collect other related information and complete reports.
• Facilitate the movement of people and vehicles, including enforcement of all traffic regulations; controls and redirects traffic in congested areas and scenes of emergency or danger; promotes traffic safety; assists stranded motorists; enforces parking restrictions; controls crowds; and prevents the blockage of sidewalks, streets and other public accesses.
• Operate a radar unit in monitoring speed of traffic; stop violators and issue warnings or citations, may conduct appropriate tests for determination of intoxication/impairment.
• Respond to reports of criminal activity; searches buildings, residences and surrounding areas for criminal subjects; secure scene to restore peace and protect evidence; calls for assistance as needed; provides backup to other officers engaged in confrontation or arrest activities.
• Interview complainants and witnesses; analyzes probable sequence of events; seeks additional data through research, telephone calls, interviews and other methods; identifies, arrests, fingerprints and takes into custody offenders for probable cause; advises such persons of their constitutional rights; searches for weapons or contraband; interrogates regarding act(s) committed; transports for incarceration and testifies in court proceedings to provide facts and evidence.
• Serve as an investigator as required; conduct follow‑up investigations; interview witnesses, victims and others and take statements; interrogate suspects; examine records and collect evidence to be used for criminal prosecutions; prepare