Police Officers - Lateral Applicants

Salary: $67,596.00 - $84,115.00 Annually
Location : Elkhorn Police Department, 100 W. Walworth Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121, WI
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-06
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 03/27/2026


Summary of Job
*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$67,59612 Months$73,19324 Months$77,92236 Months$80,71948 Months$84,115
Ready to Serve?

• Submit an online application and materials
  • This is a continuous recruitment, and applications will be reviewed on an ad hoc basis
  • This posting is subject to close at any time at the discretion of the department

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!

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
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.

Qualifications

• 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, or local law enforcement agency in which they served. Applicants must be in good standing with the agency in which they served. (Part-time certifications as a law enforcement officer does not meet this requirement).
• Must be able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must be able to react quickly and effectively to stressful situations.
• Must possess good verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent moral character.
• Must be able to use all standard law enforcement equipment.
• Able to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
• No felony convictions, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, or other crime that results in the prohibition of possession of a firearm.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

• Motor Vehicles
• Duty Weapons: firearms, less lethal weapons including electronic control devices, OC Spray, batons, less-lethal shotgun, etc.
• Writing implements
• Office Equipment; Computers, printers, telephone systems, photocopying machines, Fax machines, etc.
• Radio Communications: Portable and mobile police radios, mobile data computers, etc.
• Basic Tools and Equipment: First aid supplies including but not limited to A.E.D, oxygen, etc., fire extinguishers, restraint devices, flashlights, uniforms, personal protective equipment, speed measurements equipment, alcohol detection devices, camera and digital recording equipment.

Employees of the City of Elkhorn may select from a variety of benefits to meet their needs. The following benefits are available to all full-time Police Officers :
Uniforms and Equipment
Employees receive an initial reimbursement of up to $850 for uniforms and equipment.


Medical Insurance
The City of Elkhorn health plan is self-funded and offers employees a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. Coverage is effective 30 days from your date of hire. The City pays for 100% of the premium for employee-only coverage. Employees enrolled in family coverage only contribute 1% of the premium cost.


Health Reimbursement Arrangement
The purpose of the HRA program is to reimburse a portion of deductible expenses an Employee could incur within a calendar year. The City provides an annual benefit of $500 for employees enrolled in the City's group health insurance plan. This amount is pro-rated for new employees.


Prescription Coverage
Prescription coverage is available to those enrolled in the City medical insurance and includes the convenience of a mail-order option.


Dental Insurance
The Delta Dental PPO program allows you to visit any dentist you wish. Coverage is effective 30 days from your date of hire. The City currently pays for 100% of the premium (subject to change).


Voluntary Vision Plan
Vision insurance is offered through Delta Vision. The voluntary vision plan provides participants with a comprehensive level of vision benefits.


Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts allow you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible health care expenses or dependent care costs.


Life and AD&D Insurance
Employees are offered two life insurance coverage policies that are City-paid. Employees may also elect to enroll in additional coverage and spouse and dependent coverage.


Disability Insurance
City provides long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of income (up to $5,000) after a 90-day waiting period if totally disabled due to illness or injury.


Paid Time Off
Employees receive 10 days of vacation after first year. Employees also accrue sick leave at the rate of 1 day per month, with a maximum allowance of 120 working days.


Paid Holidays
Employees receive 10 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, the Friday before Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day. At the officer's discretion, he/she may accumulate 5 holidays as compensatory time.


457(b) Deferred Compensation
Employees may choose to enroll in a 457 deferred compensation plan with Wisconsin Deferred Compensation. This program allows members to save money directly from their paycheck for retirement, and offers tax benefits and different investment options. This is an employee-funded account.


Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
The WRS Retirement Benefit is a pension that is intended to provide you with a lifetime retirement payment.WRS participation begins the 1st day of employment. The City and Employees share the required Employee Trust Fund (ETF) contribution. For Protective Occupation with Social Security employees the 2025 rate is 21.9%. The employee share is 6.95% and the City's share is 14.95%.


Student Loan Forgiveness
Working for the City of Elkhorn may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
01


Are you a United States citizen?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you at least 18 years old?

• Yes
• No

03


Under Wisconsin Administrative Code LESB 2.01(1)(c), police applicants "shall not have been convicted of any federal felony or of an offense which if commited in Wisconsin could be punished as a felony unless the applicant has been granted an absolute and unconditional pardon for the conviction".Have you ever been convicted of a crime, either a federal felony or one that is a felony in Wisconsin, and have NOT received a pardon for this conviction?

• Yes
• No

04


Under the 1996 Amendment to the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968, it is unlawful for any person convicted of a "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" to ship, transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition. A "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" is defined as an offense that is actually classified as a misdemeanor under Federal or State law; and has, as an element the use or attempted use of physical force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, committed by a current or former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse, parent or guardian or by a person similarly situated to a spouse, parent or guardian of the victim. Even if the offense was not specifically defined as a domestic violence misdemeanor, a conviction of any crime involving the elements previously outlined will prohibit the possession of a firearm and ammunition.Use of a firearm and ammunition is essential to this job.Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license or it's equivalent from another state?

• Yes
• No

06


What is your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma
• 60 plus college credits
• Associates Degree
• Associates Degree, Law Enforcement Related
• Associates Degree with additional credits towards a Bachelors Degree
• Bachelors Degree, Law Enforcement Related
• Bachelors Degree or Higher
• Masters Degree, Law Enforcement Related

07


Are you prohibited by State or Federal law from possessing a firearm?

• Yes
• No

08


Every potential Law Enforcement officer must possess the ability to provide credible testimony in a court of law without being subject to impeachment in regards to his/her character for honesty, bias (i.e. a lack of impartiality with respect to a particular group) or criminal activity.As a general proposition, impeachment information includes:* Opinion or reputation evidence regarding your character for untruthfulness.* Specific instances of your conduct which may be used to attack your credibility and character for truthfulness (i.e. "dishonest acts").* Any prior convictions, juvenile adjudications or ordinance violations, including but not limited to those involving false statements or dishonesty. The conviction/adjudication must be disclosed regardless of whether the conviction was for a felony, a misdemeanor, or an ordinance. It includes conduct which may have resulted in a disciplinary action against yourself even if no criminal/civil prosecution occured for the conduct.Do you understand this standard and wish to continue?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you have more than TWO moving violations in the last 18 months or more than THREE moving violations in the last 36 months?

• Yes
• No

10


Do you have more than ONE chargeable accident within the last 18 months or more than TWO chargeable accidents within the last 36 months?A chargeable accident is a reportable accident in which you were the driver and you were listed at fault, regardless of whether or not you received a citation.

• Yes
• No

11


Have you been convicted of driving while impaired, i.e. operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating with a prohibited alcohol content (PAC), etc., or its equivalent, two or more times or one conviction within the last 10 years?

• Yes
• No

12


Do you speak, read, write and understand the English language?

• Yes
• No

13


Are you able to work days, evenings, weekends, holidays and overtime?

• Yes
• No

14


Do you have normal hearing in each ear, or, if you require or use hearing aids, are you able to provide documentation from a licensed audiologist?

• Yes
• No

15


Do you meet the following vision requirements?• Normal color vision• Normal field of vision in each eye (120 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically)• Normal depth perception (100 seconds of arc or better)• Far vision better than or equal to 20/20 in the better eye and 20/125 in the weaker eye, with or without correction• If using corrective lenses or spectacles to meet this standard, uncorrected vision better than or equal to 20/40 in the better eye and 20/125 in the weaker eye

• Yes
• No

16


Are you fluent in any of the following languages? (Fluent means you can speak, read, and write the language easily and accurately in a variety of professional and everyday situations)

• American Sign Language (ASL)
• Spanish
• Other
• No - Not Applicable

17


If you answered 'Other' to the previous question, please specify which language you are fluent in. If not applicable, enter 'N/A'.
18


Are you certified by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB) as a Law Enforcement Officer or certifiable through reciprocity examination?

• Yes
• No

19


Have you been employed, whether currently or in the past, for at least (1) year as a full-time, sworn law enforcement officer by a Federal, State, County, or local law enforcement agency? (Part-time certifications as a law enforcement officer does not meet this requirement).

• Yes
• No

Required Question