Police Officers - Full-time and Part-time

Fitchburg Police Officer

CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT LATERAL CANDIDATES WITH PRIOR LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE MAY EARN UP TO $92,411.00 ANNUALLY WITH HIGHER VACATION TIME AND A SICK LEAVE BALANCE. BILINGUAL CANDIDATES STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY! While new Officers attend the Police Academy, the hourly base rate of pay is $27.85. Upon successful completion of the Police Academy, new Officers will move to $37.88 per hour and receive their first pay increase after one year. Please view the full union contract to view the salary schedule. Lateral hires, (Officers hired with prior law enforcement experience), may begin at the up to 10 year step and will receive higher PTO accrual and up to 100 sick time hours credited to their sick leave bank.

The City of Fitchburg Police Department is seeking individuals interested in becoming a part of an organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the diverse and growing City of Fitchburg. Situated between our state's capital and rural farmland, the geography of Fitchburg is as diverse as the people we serve. The City of Fitchburg's location, diversity and its many other assets affords a great deal of opportunity for those interested in a career in community-oriented policing. Community-orientated policing has long served as the foundation for our department and community engagement remains a top priority.

New officers will have the ability to participate in all aspects of police work, from community engagement and problem-solving, to criminal investigations and traffic enforcement. K9 Handler, Evidence Technician, Honor Guard, Motorcycle Officer, S.Prior law enforcement experience is not required, however the department welcomes experienced officers as part of our lateral-transfer program. Selected candidates who are not already certified law-enforcement officers or are not certifiable as a law enforcement officer in the State of Wisconsin will be sponsored through a 720-hour law enforcement academy.

All applicants will be provided the opportunity to share their relevant professional and life experience as it relates to the position of police officer via written essay. Applications will be scored and ranked based on essay responses, educational background, prior law enforcement experience, veteran status and other qualifications. Invitations for an interview with the Chief of Police will be extended following the panel interviews. Selected applicants will undergo a full-background investigation and must complete an eight-hour ride-along with a field-training officer. Applicants must also pass a drug-screen, medical evaluation and psychological assessment. Applicants who are not certified law enforcement officers or certifiable as a law enforcement officer must also pass the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice's Physical Readiness Test prior to beginning the law enforcement academy.

The City of Fitchburg recognizes the value of employees who can communicate with residents and customers in languages other than English and offers incentive pay of $0.50 for all hours paid to employees who are fluent in one or more of the eligible languages of Spanish, Hmong, and American Sign Language. Recognizing recruiting issues and valuing the experience of veteran officers, the department recently added a lateral transfer program. Applicants with sworn law-enforcement experience, whether in Wisconsin or from another state are eligible to begin at up to the ten- year step based on: Years of full-time law enforcement service, Certification(s), Agency size, Specialized training and assignments, Other job related factors that would help the officer be successful in our agency. Police Officer Responsibilities: Respond to emergency calls and assists fire and EMS services as necessary. Conduct investigations of incidents occurring on the shift. Complete a written report of all activities during a shift. After reviewing reports, make necessary referrals to Dane County Social Services, Juvenile Reception, the District Attorney's Office, and private organizations. Must possess a high school diploma or equivalency. Associate degree in police science, sociology or related field preferred. Must meet the minimum requirements as established by the Law Enforcement Standards Board. Ability to get in and out of a patrol car on a frequent basis. Ability to successfully pass a physical skills and agility test at the time of graduation from the Police Academy. Possess the finger and arm dexterity and the strength necessary to safely operate a firearm. Knowledge and experience in the utilization technical equipment including computers, cameras, and radar units. Proficiency in word processing/typing. Ability to render credible testimony in a court of law. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a variety of people including co-workers, other professionals, appointed and elected officials, and the general public.

In evaluating candidates for this position, the City may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties of this position. Requires walking or standing to a significant degree, or requires sitting some of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls, or requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. Environmental conditions: occasionally exposed to hazards or risk of bodily injury. Seldom exposed to hazards or risk of bodily injury.

Fitchburg offers excellent benefits including the Wisconsin Retirement System, health, dental, vision, life insurance, income continuation insurance (disability), accident benefit, bilingual incentive, paid parental leave, an onsite fitness center, public student loan forgiveness, flexible schedules and wellness incentives. You may be eligible for the same great benefits listed above but your monthly benefit premiums will be pro-rated to your FTE (Full-Time Equivalency). While you will not be eligible for the same benefits available to permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees, you are eligible to use our free onsite fitness center!