Police Officers - Full-time and Part-time

Salary: $33.07 Hourly
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Police
The City of Onalaska Police department is seeking to hire a Police Officer and to create an eligibility list for anticipated vacancies occurring over the next year or until the next recruitment for the position. This is an excellent opportunity for both entry-level candidates and lateral officers looking to join a supportive, professional department that values training, teamwork, and community engagement. Under the general supervision of the Shift Sergeant, Police Officers protect life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. enforcing applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
Prepares necessary reports, interviews, narratives and follow-ups for violations and complaints; transports arrestees to the appropriate facility as circumstances and department policy dictates.
Evaluates erratic or impaired driving, conducts field sobriety tests and make Operating Motor Vehicle While Impaired (OMVWI) arrests if probable cause exists for the arrest.
Responds to any calls for assistance.
Investigates traffic crashes, completing necessary documents and provides the necessary services as a result of the crash (e.g., issues warnings/citations to violators consistent with department policy.
Queries suspects through the Criminal Information Bureau (CIB) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for wants/warrants' probation/parole status; Provides necessary medical, physical, or protective services to ensure the safety of crime victims, citizens, or property.
Passes along information on organized crime, vice and narcotics activities to the appropriate enforcement agency or bureau.
Investigates child abuse/neglect complaints, gathers all initial information, performs, or ensures that all necessary evidence collection is completed and completes necessary reports. Refers complaint(s) to supervisory authority for follow up when needed.
Starting wage for this non-exempt position is $33.07 per hour (January 2026 rate, step 1). Starting rate increases to $33.57 per hour in January 2027 and $34.24 per hour in July 2027. A shift differential of an additional $0.50 per hour (2nd shift) and $0.75 per hour (3rd shift) for assigned Officers.
Officers hired and attending the Law Enforcement Academy receive 75% of the starting Officer wage until certified. The City also pays for academy costs - tuition, books, and police uniform gear.

Officers with full-time experience with another agency start at a comparable wage and vacation tier that correlates with prior certified law enforcement experience. Officers with experience receive up to a maximum of six (6) weeks of vacation with a starting wage between $34.81 to $39.46 per hour (January 2026 rate, step 2 - 8), depending on experience.

Uniforms and regular training provided by the City. Health insurance effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment. Dental insurance through Delta Dental (100% premium paid by the City). Automatic enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System (pension plan). Voluntary benefits: vision, flexible spending, life insurance, disability insurance, deferred compensation, pet insurance, critical illness, cancer, and accident insurance. Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. Employee Assistance Program (EAP). To Apply: To be considered for this excellent opportunity, submit an online employment application by accessing Applications accepted until filled with first review of applications on June 1, 2026. City of Onalaska Human Resources - City Hall (1st Floor)
Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io ext. For selected candidate needing the Law Enforcement Academy the next session to be determined. Exception for applicants needing the Law Enforcement Academy, must have a minimum of (40) college credits and successfully apply for a waiver of Education Requirements (up to 20 credits) from the WI Training & Standards (LESB) post academy graduation. Wisconsin certified or certifiable at the time of hire preferred, which is completion of a law enforcement academy in Wisconsin within the past (3) years or have law enforcement experience in another qualifying state and have passed the WI reciprocity exam. United States citizen; No felony convictions nor domestic abuse convictions.
The following summarizes regular full-time employee benefits. Benefits are pro-rated for regular part-time employees per policy. Health Insurance
The State of Wisconsin Group Health Plan offers $0 deductible and $0 co-insurance. Other networks are available. Dental Insurance
The Delta Dental WI Plan offers basic coverage for preventative services such as routine cleanings, x-rays, fluoride (100% no deductible), orthodontics (60% with $1000 individual max), major services offer coverage for crowns, bridges, dentures (60%). A Vision discount program is included (at no cost) with your Delta Dental plan.

Cost: City pays 100% of the monthly premium cost for regular full-time employees and 50% of the monthly premium cost for regular part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week.
The Delta Dental WI plan for Delta Vision offers a vision exam for a $10 Copay; Life Insurance
The State of Wisconsin Group Life Insurance Program offers options to enroll in basic (equivalent to annual salary) with ability to add supplemental (1x salary), additional units (up to 3x salary) and spouse/dependent coverage (up to 20K). City pays administrative fee on premium.

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
The Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) is a pension plan providing a lifetime retirement payment once vested (after 5 years) and having reached minimum retirement age (50 for protective service employees). Contributions are pre-taxed.
Allstate Accident Insurance : Cash benefit paid directly to the employee for off-the-job accidental injuries. Contributions are pre-taxed.

Employee plus children; Allstate Cancer Insurance : Cash benefit paid directly to the employee for the treatment of cancer and 29 specified diseases. Contributions are pre-taxed.

Employee plus children, Employee plus spouse and family rates also available.
Allstate Critical Illness Insurance : Cash benefit paid directly to the employee for heart attack, stroke, major organ transplant and end stage renal failure. Contributions are pre-taxed.

Rates per employee, employee plus children, employee plus spouse and family.
The State of Wisconsin ICI program is a voluntary "income replacement" benefit for short- and/or long-term disabilities. Figo Pet Insurance is a voluntary benefit, covering dogs and cats, offering a 10% discount. Deferred Compensation is a voluntary program allowing employees to put additional money in a retirement savings program. Pre-taxed deductions (Federal and State tax deferred)
After-tax deductions for Roth IRA plans
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
FSA allows employees an opportunity to set aside money on a pre-taxed basis for medical and dependent care expenses. Medical FSA: Pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical, vision and dental expenses not covered by another plan.

City pays plan administrative fees.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP provides professional and confidential assistance to employees with personal or professional concerns. For regular full-time (non-union) employees, vacation time is based on a calendar year (January 1 through December 31 of each year). Hours from the date of hire, if not January 1 are prorated.
In addition to the above, employees receive two (2) personal days - (1) on January 1st and (1) on July 1st each year to be used within the calendar year.

Accrue one shift (8.5 hours) per full month of employment. Accrued sick leave is available to employees who are unable to work because of personal sickness or injury, or due to sickness or injury of an immediate family member.
Holidays
The holidays listed provide employees with an annual credit (with time off from work without loss of pay) for each holiday that occurs while employed whether worked or not.
New Year's Day

Veteran's Day
Christmas Eve Day
Christmas Day
Those protective service employees who are subject to comprehensive collective bargaining agreement as negotiated or are regulated by the Police & Fire Commission, shall be exempt from the provisions of these benefits that are inconsistent with such agreements or other regulations.
Have you worked as a Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Wisconsin in the past three years?
If not, have you worked as a Law Enforcement Officer in another state in the past three years? (Have you completed a Law Enforcement Academy in Wisconsin (or are currently attending an Academy)?
If you attended (or currently attending) a Law Enforcement Academy, what year did you graduate (or will graduate) and which academy did you attend?
Are you a United States citizen?
Do you have any felony convictions or domestic abuse convictions?