Police Officers - Lateral Applicants

Elkhorn Police Department; Elkhorn (WI); On-site; USD 68,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement (WRS)

Paid Time Off

Uniform Allowance

Job summary

Elkhorn Police Department in Wisconsin seeks a lateral police officer with proven law enforcement experience and certification. The role emphasizes proactive policing, community engagement, and maintaining public safety through investigations, traffic enforcement, and responsive service.

Qualified applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, 60 college credits, and be certified or certifiable by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Minimum 60 college credits from accredited college/university.
• Certified or certifiable by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board.
• Minimum 1 year of full-time sworn law enforcement experience as an officer.

Responsibilities

• Patrol city areas to deter crime and enforce laws.
• Complete investigations, collect and preserve evidence.
• Respond to calls, traffic incidents, and emergencies.
• Participate in ongoing training and maintain driving record.

Skills

Valid driver's license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

60 college credits

Job description

*THIS POSTING IS FOR LATERAL POLICE OFFICER APPLICANTS ONLY*

The Elkhorn Police Department is actively seeking dedicated and experienced law enforcement professionals to join our team. As a Lateral Police Officer, you will play a vital role in serving and protecting our community. Through proactive engagement with residents, relationship-building, and responsive policing, you will help maintain public safety, preserve peace, and prevent crime.

Elkhorn is more than just a city - it is a close-knit community. Your work as a Police Officer will directly contribute to maintaining the quality of life that makes Elkhorn a great place to live and work.

Lateral Transfer Eligibility

A "lateral transfer" refers to a candidate who is certified and has been employed as a full-time law enforcement officer by a municipal, county, state or federal police agency for a minimum of one year. Corrections, reserve officers and security officer experience does not fulfill our recruitment for certified police experience as a lateral applicant. Successful lateral candidates may start at a higher pay step than entry-level candidates at the discretion of the City Administrator. Factors considered in a lateral applicant's entry wage include the level of certification, education, agency size, specialized training and assignments and other job-related factors that would help an officer be successful in our agency. Vacation time may also be adjusted based on prior law enforcement experience.

2026 Salary Schedule

Police Officer Annual Salary

• Start $67,596
• 12 Months $73,193
• 24 Months $77,922
• 36 Months $80,719
• 48 Months $84,115

Selection Process

Each phase of the process is pass/fail and required to proceed to the next.

• Department review of application materials
• Interview with Command Staff
• Interview before Police and Fire Commission
• Background investigation
• Post-offer examinations, including but not limited to, psychological assessment; medical examination; functional capacity evaluation; and drug screening

Lateral Transfer Police Officer Candidate Pool

Qualified applicants may be placed in a lateral police officer candidate pool.

• Placement is based on relative qualifications and overall evaluation
• The Police and Fire Commission may appoint candidates whose knowledge, skills, and abilities best meet department needs
• Applications remain active for one (1) year from the date of acceptance by the Police and Fire Commission

Benefits

The City of Elkhorn is proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support you and your family:

• Medical Insurance: Premium-free for employee-only coverage, with a minimal 1% cost share for family plans
• Dental Insurance: Premium-free for all employees
• Vision Insurance: Available as a voluntary benefit
• Life Insurance: Two policies provided, with options to purchase additional coverage for yourself and your spouse or dependents
• Retirement Savings: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a state-managed pension plan, along with access to a 457(b) deferred compensation plan
• Paid Time Off: Sick leave, vacation, and compensatory time available.
• Clothing Allowance: Initial uniform reimbursement amount and annual clothing allowance
• And more!

Under general supervision, in accordance with all applicable laws and established operating policies/procedures, the employee is responsible to detect and deter criminal activity; identify and apprehend criminal offenders; protect constitutional guarantees; facilitate the movement of people and vehicles; aid individuals who are in danger of physical harm; and provide other services on an emergency basis.

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, or is a logical assignment for the position.

• Patrol assigned areas of the City in order to maintain the peace; discover and prevent the commission of crimes; enforce laws, regulations, and ordinances; respond to and investigate alarms; perform security checks of business, public and residential premises; assist stranded, distressed or injured motorists; and respond to complaints, traffic accidents, requests from persons requiring assistance and other emergency calls.
• Perform traffic control duties at accidents, special events, and other emergency situations.
• Conduct investigations of alleged or suspected criminal activity; determine what, if any, crime has been committed; identify, collect, preserve and process evidence; locate and interview victims and witnesses; and identify and interrogate suspects.
• Search persons, vehicles, and property to locate and collect evidence of a crime.
• Prepare and serve search and arrest warrants; and serve subpoenas or other court orders.
• Prepare necessary reports and documentation for investigations, arrests, accidents, citation or other incidents.
• Testify in criminal and civil court proceedings; give depositions.
• Maintain vehicles and equipment in order to ensure dependable, efficient and safe operation by servicing, cleaning and polishing when necessary.
• Participate in ongoing training and education.
• Must have a valid driver's license with good driving record.
• Must be 18+ years of age.
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and sixty (60) college credits from an accredited University or College.
• Certified or certifiable (through reciprocity examination) by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board.
• Have been employed, whether currently or in the past, for at least (1) year as a full-time, sworn law enforcement officer by Federal, State, County,