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! A RESUME AND COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED 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. With an authorized sworn-staff strength of 55 officers, our department allows new officers to develop, and experienced officers to grow further, in a more connected work environment. Following completion of a probationary period, new officers become eligible to apply for specialized-positions including: K9 Handler, Evidence Technician, Honor Guard, Motorcycle Officer, S.E.T. (Special Events Team), Tactics Instructors and more.
Ideal candidates will be self-motivated, conscientious individuals, ready for a unique and challenging career who are able to think critically, solve problems and effectively communicate with a wide array of individuals. 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. A select number of applicants will be invited to participate in a panel interview. 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
Once hired, lateral transfer officers from out of state will have 12 months to successfully complete the State of Wisconsin Reciprocity Exam.