Police Officer

Entry Level Police Officer

The Neenah Police Department is looking for exceptional individuals to join our team and make a rewarding career in Law Enforcement.

Our Mission: We are Neenah's Guardians, standing between peace and peril to keep our community safe. We are warriors against evil, defenders of life, protectors of rights, and friends of the people.

Instructions: Read the directions for submitting your application carefully. Applications without a cover letter and resume attached will not be considered.

Interview Day: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Commission Interview: October 7, 2026

Submission of Application:

• Please make sure the entire application is filled out completely and truthfully. Any misrepresentations, falsifications, or deliberate omissions may be cause for non-selection.
• Use the on-line application process to submit your application and requested attachments. Applications submitted via mail or email will not be accepted.

Please have the following documents ready to attach to your application before you begin:

• Resume
• Cover letter

Accelerated Recruitment Process: Conditional Offers of Employment are based on the successful completion of:

• Comprehensive Background Check
• Medical / Physical Exam including drug testing and vision screening
• Psychological Exam
• Polygraph (related to truthfulness and drug usage)

Typical Qualifications for an Entry Level Police Officer:

• United States Citizen
• 18 years of age
• Possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record.
• High school diploma or equivalent
• 60 post high school credits at an accredited university or tech college within six months of the initial interview
• NO felony or domestic abuse-related convictions
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Computer operation skills
• Mental and physical ability to perform all essential functions of a police officer
• Officers are allowed to reside up to thirty (30) miles away from the Neenah city limits.

Individuals who meet these qualifications, especially minorities, bilingual persons, and those with diverse life experiences in other fields looking for a career change, are encouraged to apply. No previous training or experience is necessary.

Salary & Benefits: The salary schedule at the Neenah Police Department is very competitive. Based on the 2025-2027 labor contract, the top patrol officer's base salary rate after 7 years is $93,867 per year. Starting salary begins at $64,362.

In addition to the base salary rate officers are compensated for longevity, overtime, call time, firearm certification, and professional improvement. Candidates with law enforcement experience coming into the department begin at an accelerated rate based on prior years of service: referred to as a lateral hire. Sworn officers hired as a lateral hire will receive full credit for their full-time years of service and corrections, probation or parole officers will receive half credit for their full-time years of service.

Schedule – The Neenah Police Department has a unique 12-hour patrol schedule based on a 26 day cycle:

• 3 days working/3 days off
• 3 days working/3 days off
• 3 days working/3 days off
• 3 days working/5 days off

Holidays – Ten (10) paid holidays. One (1) paid floating holiday.

Vacation – Officers working the 12-hr schedule earn:

• 1 year: 96 hours
• 5 years: 144 hours
• 10 years: 192 hours
• 16 years: 240 hours
• 24 years: 264 hours

A lateral hire officer with five years or more of experience will receive 144 hours of vacation upon hire. After five years of employment with the City of Neenah, the employee will receive the total amount of vacation based on their total years of experience.

Additional Benefits:

• Medical / Dental / Life Insurance
• Sick Leave / Funeral Leave / FMLA / Compensatory Time
• Free Employee Health Clinic
• Uniforms/Equipment Provided
• Wisconsin Retirement System Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Flex Spending