Police Officer

Janesville Police Department; Janesville (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Janesville Police Department in Wisconsin is seeking dedicated officers to uphold public safety and community trust. This role involves patrols, rapid response, crime prevention, and teamwork with other agencies to keep the city safe for residents and visitors.

Applicants must pass the department's written exam and the Wisconsin Physical Readiness Test. Lateral transfers are welcome from qualified agencies.

Qualifications

• Qualified applicants will be required to attend JPD’s written and Wisconsin Physical Readiness Test (PRT) testing on Saturday, 4/11/26.
• Lateral transfers from qualified law enforcement agencies may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Patrols assigned area of the City to prevent crime and disturbance of public peace.
• Responds to reports of criminal activity and secures scenes to protect evidence.
• Investigates criminal and civil offenses and conducts follow-up investigations.
• Enforces traffic laws and conducts sobriety tests; issues citations.
• Interviews victims, witnesses, and suspects as appropriate.
• Responds to emergency calls and provides assistance to residents.

Job description

CITY OF JANESVILLE DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The residents of Janesville choose this community, not just as a place to live, but as a place to realize life’s opportunities. We strive to sustain a community culture where differences are recognized, understood, and appreciated. As such, the City of Janesville recognizes the importance of developing an environment where diversity is not merely accepted but embraced and celebrated. As public servants, we believe everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. To this end we will diligently recruit and retain the most talented employees in an environment that fosters maximizing one’s potential. Therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to consider employment with the City of Janesville and serve the residents of “Wisconsin’s Park Place”.

OBJECTIVE

Under the general direction of the Shift or Division Supervisor, performs work in the enforcement of law and maintenance of order, protection of life and property, and prevention of crime. The function of this position is extremely varied and can change depending on the immediate situation. This position places very strenuous demands on an individual, including very physical and psychological demands. This position upholds the law, conducts routine patrol enforcement of state, county, and local laws and ordinances, maintains order, prevents crime, makes arrests, answers calls for service, and performs related work as required.

*The Janesville Police Department accepts lateral transfers from qualified law enforcement agencies. For all new employees hired after January 1, 2016, the City may grant an initial pay rate on any step of the salary schedule to a maximum of the 5-year step, and vacation to the maximum of the 2-year step. Such placement shall not affect the new employee’s seniority for any other purpose.

Qualified applicants will be required to attend JPD’s written and Wisconsin Physical Readiness Test (PRT) testing on Saturday, 4/11/26. Additional details will be shared after the application period closes and candidate reviews are complete.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Chief of Police - Designee Field Supervisor (Sergeant) and/or Shift/Division Supervisor (Lieutenant or Sergeant)

Supervisory responsibility: None

Has regular work contact with the general public, department staff and employees and outside agencies or organizations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Patrols assigned area of the City (which may include uneven terrain, stairs, narrow spaces, fenced or walled areas, unlighted areas, or areas patrolled in a police vehicle), either mobile or foot patrol to prevent crime and disturbance of public peace.
• Responds to reports of criminal activity; searches buildings, residences, and surrounding areas for criminal subjects; secures scene to restore peace and protect evidence; responds to citizen requests for service; provides backup to other officers engage in physical confrontation or arrest activities.
• Participates in a variety of law enforcement activities, including making arrests of suspects in traffic and criminal offenses; takes control of crime scenes, which may involve subduing unruly or resisting subjects through the use of force, including deadly force; effects arrests, which may include pursuing fleeing armed or unarmed subjects who may be walking, running, crawling, climbing stairs or ladders, or in vehicles.
• Investigates criminal and civil offenses, conducting preliminary investigations and follow-up investigations as may be required; analyze probable sequence of events; seek additional data through research, telephone calls, interviews, and other methods.
• Responds to wide range of citizen needs and requests, at times under emergency conditions, i.e., accidents, rescue efforts, search for missing persons, alarms, physical confrontations, and crimes in progress.
• Enforces traffic laws and regulations; perform initial tests for sobriety levels; apprehends violators and issues appropriate warnings or uniform traffic citations; investigate and make detailed reports of traffic accidents and offenses; participates in traffic control; assists motorists in distress.
• Knows and enforce pertinent Federal laws, State statutes, City ordinances, codes, and regulations, apprehending violators and making proper arrests or summonses.
• In the enforcement of State statutes and City ordinances, identifies, arrests, and take offenders into custody for probable cause and incarcerate as provided by law and department policy; advise such persons of their constitutional rights;
• Conducts lawful searches of persons and property, confiscates and secures all evidence and contraband seized according to law and department policy.
• Serves subpoenas, arrest warrants, and summons including body attachments, apprehension requests and juvenile capiases; transports for incarceration.
• Interviews and interrogates victims, complainants, witnesses, and suspects as appropriate.
• Responds to emergency calls which may require the use of strength, subduing suspects, rescuing or lifting residents from distressful and dangerous situations; removes accident or storm debris.
• Provides short-term counseling, assistance, and human comfort to victims of tragic or traumatic events.
• Exercises self-control, patience, prudence, tolerance, and stabilit