Police Officer - Lateral and Certifiable Only - $2,500 Sign On Bonus!

About the role

The Wauwatosa Police Department’s mission is dedicated service and protection for all, with a vision of fostering a safe and secure community through collaboration, trust, and exceptional police service. A Wauwatosa Police Officer will be ready to serve and committed to these values.

Responsibilities

• Preserve the peace by responding to calls for assistance involving altercations, domestic disturbances, fighting, and neighborhood disputes; perform crowd and traffic control; enforce state and local laws and ordinances.
• Protect life by responding to calls for service and emergency assistance; render aid to the physically injured, handicapped, and others requiring assistance; investigate safety hazards and take action to correct potential problem areas.
• Protect property by performing security checks, observing potential hazards, taking found property into custody, and securing areas through the use of barricades.
• Investigate violations of state laws and local ordinances, arrest violators, secure and protect crime scenes, obtain descriptions of suspects and vehicles, and enforce traffic laws.
• Prepare incident and accident reports, affidavits, citations, legal documents, memorandums, and other job-related forms and documents; prepare and testify in court; use computers to enter and query information.
• Participate in job-related training and courses; maintain physical condition necessary to perform official duties and day-to-day operations; drive and operate police vehicles in routine and emergency situations.

Requirements

• Be at least 21 years old, a United States Citizen, and have a certified copy of birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
• Have a valid driver’s license at time of application and throughout employment.
• Have vision 20/40 corrected.
• Communicate in English, both orally and in writing, in a clear manner using appropriate grammar.
• Operate a motor vehicle under normal and adverse conditions while maintaining the ability to communicate and activate the equipment in the vehicle.
• Make quick decisions, accurate observations, use sound judgment and maintain a professional demeanor under ordinary and stressful situations.
• Recall details, copy written and oral information and apply instructions with a high degree of accuracy.
• Read and comprehend legal and non-legal material written in English.
• Learn and comply with department operations, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures associated with the position.
• Apply concepts, procedures, and techniques related to interviewing, investigations, defense and arrest tactics, evidence preservation, search/seizure, and the use of force.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 30 college credits from an accredited college or university at the time of hire, with 60 college credits required within five years of an officer's initial date of hire.
• A certified copy of birth certificate or naturalization certificate required.
• Proof of Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB) certification and professional history if a certified law enforcement officer in Wisconsin.
• Proof of graduation or academy enrollment if a graduate of a Wisconsin Law Enforcement Preparatory Academy.
• Ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing, in a clear manner using appropriate grammar.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle under normal and adverse conditions while maintaining the ability to communicate and activate the equipment in the vehicle.
• Ability to make quick decisions, accurate observations, use sound judgment and maintain a professional demeanor under ordinary and stressful situations.
• Ability to recall details, copy written and oral information and apply instructions with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to read and comprehend legal and non-legal material written in English.
• Ability to learn and comply with department operations, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures associated with the position.
• Ability to learn and apply federal, state, and municipal laws and ordinances related to police duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to apply concepts, procedures, and techniques related to interviewing, investigations, defense and arrest tactics, evidence preservation, search/seizure, and the use of force.

Skills

• Courage: Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.
• Integrity: Quality of being honest with strong moral principles.
• Respect: Due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions of others.
• Compassion: Concern and care for others.

Benefits

• $2,500 hiring bonus for lateral or certifiable candidates as a one-time payout paid upon hire.
• Placement into a higher starting wage and paid time off amount (based on years of experience) for lateral transfer candidates.

Pay

The annual salary for certifiable Police Officers, effective 1/1/2026, ranges from $67,229.88 - 95,948.49.

Schedule

Details will be shared during the recruitment and selection process.

Immediate Disqualifiers

• Criminal History / Legal: Undetected crimes of a serious or repetitive nature, domestic violence, felonies, and other crimes involving moral turpitude.
• Traffic Violations: Suspension of driver’s license within the past twelve (12) months, DUI, DWI, or Hit and Run within the last two (2) years.
• Drugs: Illegal possession of heroin, cocaine, hallucinogens, or other schedule 1 or 2 drugs, or any derivative thereof, as defined in Wisconsin State Statutes within the last 2 years, or involvement in the sale or distribution of illegal drugs as an adult.
• Others: Cheating on any examination or testing associated with the position, dishonorable discharge from any military service, untruthfulness and/or intentional withholding of information on any application, interview, or paperwork associated with the position.