Police Officer

Salary: $36.72 - $42.90 Hourly
Location : 321 S. Fourth Street, Stoughton, WI
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 457
Department: Police Department
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
SUMMARY OF JOB
Join a team that values you as much as you value the community you serve!
The City of Stoughton offers an exceptional benefits package featuring very low-cost health coverage, dental at no cost to you, WRS Retirement participation, and competitive wages -all designed to support your well-being while you support ours.
Looking for a Better Work-Life Balance?
Would you like to work fewer than 40 hours a week and have every other weekend off?
Our officers enjoy this flexible schedule-along with one of the best benefits packages in Dane County.
This process is for full-time applicants only.
Please apply through this process only if you are seeking a full-time position.
Join a team that values your time, your well-being, and your service to the community!
As a progressive agency, we are interested in individuals from all backgrounds.
Stoughton is a rapidly growing suburb of Madison and Janesville, WI. As our city grows, so does our Police Department. As a City of Stoughton Police Officer, you will have daily opportunities to serve and make a difference in people's lives. Our officers protect and enhance the quality of life by providing fair, conscientious, and professional law enforcement services to our community.
The City is now offering a generous lateral transfer package that includes accelerated pay, vacation, and field training.
Once you're a member of our team, we have a variety of opportunities to join a specialty unit:
Drone Pilot Unit, Honor Guard, Tactical Unit, Motorcycle Unit, Peer Support Unit, and Bicycle Unit.
Who should apply?
Experienced Law Enforcement Professionals: If you have previous law enforcement experience, we highly encourage you to apply. Your expertise, training, and on-the-job experience will be instrumental in contributing to our team's success. We appreciate the unique skills and insights you can bring to the table. We offer a robust lateral transfer program.
Police Academy Graduates: If you have successfully completed the Police Academy training, whether you recently graduated or have some experience, we welcome you to apply. Your knowledge and skills acquired through the academy will be highly valued as you embark on a fulfilling career with us.
Excellent Benefits Package
Full-time positions are non-exempt and include a comprehensive benefits package, which features:

• Enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS).
• Health with low premium and out-of-pocket costs.
• Dental insurance at no cost.
• A complimentary membership to Anytime Fitness.

Please Note: To be considered for this position, you must submit the following along with this online application:

• A completed DJ-LE-330 application as well as this online City application. Use the following link: to obtain the DJ-LE-330, and when you have completed it, add it to your online application as an attachment. Please be sure to answer all the questions in section 6.
• Cover Letter
• Resume

THIS POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Protect life and property through enforcement of Statutes and ordinances, investigating incidents and complaints, and monitoring traffic for the City of Stoughton.
• Patrols City for illegal and dangerous activity.
• Monitors traffic and issues traffic code violation citations. Directs vehicular traffic and pedestrians.
• Responds to traffic collisions, rollovers and reported hazards. Gathers information from participants and witnesses at scene regarding incidents. Clears road hazards. Assists emergency medical and rescue personnel at traffic collisions with injured and extrications.
• Responds to citizen complaints. Evaluates situations and gathers information from participants and witnesses. Detains and/or arrests suspects/participants and transports to appropriate agency. Provides aid to injured persons as appropriate and within capabilities
• Prepares incident and accident reports.
• Assists in traffic collision and criminal investigations. Gathers evidence and interviews witnesses and suspects. Participates in search and surveillance activities.
• Testifies in court as required.
• Logs patrol activity.
• Maintains knowledge of current police policy and procedures, traffic and criminal ordinances, State and Federal laws. Participates in on-going professional training and development.
• Maintains communication with general regarding public safety issues. May make public presentations to community groups and students regarding crime prevention and police activities.
• Serves warrants, summons, subpoena, court orders and other legal documents to City citizens.
• Transports subjects to other jurisdictions.
• Assists County, State and Federal emergency agency personnel as requested and needed.
• Performs animal control tasks.
• Responds to fire calls and provides traffic control assistance as needed.
• Monitors squad car maintenance and reports need for repairs.
• Assists motorists with locked vehicles and persons locked from buildings. Directs lost motorists.
• Responds to utility and other emergencies such as gas leaks, chemical spills, road hazards, etc.
• Assists with Salvation Army vouchers.
• Cleans vehicles.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent, a minimum of 60 college credits.
• Wisconsin Police Officer certification.
• Previous experience working with the public.
• Certification/training in handgun, shotgun, CPR, OC spray, and impact weapon is required.
• A valid Wisconsin motor vehicle license.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication

• Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and/or sort, as well as assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information. Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data.
• Ability to persuade, convince, and/or train others, including the ability to act in a lead worker capacity. Ability to advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as incident/accident reports, driver license and motor vehicle registration records, warrant and commitment documents, photos, flow charts, worksheets, logs, municipal and county ordinances, lab reports, Physician's Desk Reference, school rosters, a variety of law enforcement forms, directories, court orders, state statutes, lists, schedules, investigation manuals, TIME system operating manuals and educational curricula.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with juveniles, parents, educators, attorneys, medical care providers, suspects, witnesses, detainees, business owners, social workers, psychologists, insurance company representatives, school personnel, District Attorney personnel, Judges, Department personnel, other law enforcement agency personnel, probation and parole personnel and the general public.

Mathematical Ability

• Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability

• Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgment in performing diversified work activities.
• Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to operate equipment and machinery with some requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as computer keyboard/typewriter, firearms, restraint devices, squad car, three-wheeler, binoculars, photocopier, intoxilyzer, radios, tape recorder, fax machine, alarms, 35 mm camera, common mechanic's tools and measuring devices.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing semi-skilled movements such as drawing, data entry and appropriate use of firearms.
• Ability to exert moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. Ability to exert necessary physical force to restrain or subdue individuals.
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sounds, odors and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and ingredients.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

• Ability to work under mildly unsafe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations, odors, toxic agents, violence, noise, vibrations, wetness, machinery, disease and/or dust can cause discomfort and where there is a risk of injury.

FULL-TIME BENEFITS: 32+ Hours per Week
Effective 1-1-2026
The following benefits are offered to regular full-time (32+ hours per week/1664+ annual hours minimum) employees. Please note that this is a summary, and benefits are not guaranteed. Review the GHC HMO Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) document for coverage details or contact GHC directly.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Coverage is effective the day after hire; premiums are deducted monthly from the 1st payroll of the month.
GHC HMO - benefits listed for in-network providers only.
Employee responsibility toward monthly premium:Family $75.26Employee & Spouse $50.99Employee & Child(ren) $44.91Single $24.27
GHC PPO - This plan is available exclusively to employees who do not have any GHC locations in their area.
Employee responsibility toward monthly premium:Family $101.60Employee & Spouse $68.81Employee & Child(ren) $60.62Single $32.79
In-Network Provider Coverage ONLY - See SBC for details
Deductibles are $500/single - $1,000/family
$0 co-pay for preventative services
$30 co-pay on office visits
$30 co-pay on urgent care visits
$100 co-pay on emergency room visits (co-pay waived if admitted to hospital)
Prescription drug co-pays:
$10/Tier 1
$35/Tier 2
$60/Tier 3
$200 Specialty drugs
$5 RX Outcomes
Out of Pocket Limit $2850 Single/ $5700 Family
Note: Employee out-of-pocket qualified medical expenses can be run through the flexible spending plan (Section 125), which is managed through Employee Benefits Corporation (EBC). Enrollment into this plan occurs only during annual enrollment, which is November/December.
DENTAL INSURANCE
Coverage is effective the day after hire. The City covers 100% of the premium for dental coverage.
Note: Full-time employees pay no portion of the dental premium .
Delta Dental benefits listed for in-network providers only
Delta Dental In-Network Coverage:
There is no deductible for dental coverage.
Per person, per benefit accumulation period is $1,000.
Diagnostic and preventive procedures are paid at 100%;
Basic restorative procedures are paid at 80%;
Major restorative procedures are paid at 50%;
Orthodontic procedures are paid at 0%.
Check Up Plus - lets you obtain diagnostic and preventive services - including examinations, X-rays, regular cleanings, and other related treatments without the costs of those services applying to your individual annual maximum. The full value of your annual maximum is applied to the benefits you receive for base and major restorative services.
RETIREMENT Provider: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
The 2026 Wisconsin Retirement Rate is 14.40% for general employees. The employer and employee shares are equal at 7.20% each.
The 2026 Wisconsin Retirement Rate is 22.00% for protective employees. The employer share is 14.80% and the employee share is 7.20%.
Eligibility to Participate- from the ETF Your Benefit Handbook (ET-2119) Rev10/13
Depending on when you began your job, your job will have to meet one of these two standards for it to be covered under the WRS.

• One-third standard -- A position that is subject to the one-third standard meets WRS participation standards if you are expected to work at least one-third of full-time (600 hours for non-teaching employees) for at least one year from date of hire. You will remain eligible even if your job subsequently drops below one-third.
• Two-thirds standard -- A position that is subject to the two-thirds standard meets WRS participation standards if you are expected to work at least two-thirds full-time (1200 hours for non-teaching employees) for at least one year from date of hire. You will remain eligible even if your job subsequently drops below two-thirds.

If you were a continuing employee as of July 1, 2011, your job must meet the one-third standard. You will remain eligible even if your job subsequently drops below one-third.
If you were hired after July 1, 2011:

• If you were a participating employee before July 1, 2011, left WRS service, and did not take
• A separation benefit, and are now returning in a new job, your job must meet the one-third standard.
• If you were a participating employee before July 1, 2011, left WRS service, took a separation benefit, and are now returning in a new job, your job must meet the two-thirds standard.
• If you were not a participating employee before July 1, 2011, your job must meet the two-thirds standard.*

If you are not expected to meet these eligibility criteria when you are hired, you will not be enrolled in the WRS at that time. However, if you subsequently work at least 12 months, and in any 12-month period you meet the hours' requirement, you are prospectively enrolled in the WRS. In this situation, your WRS coverage is not retroactive.
WRS Mandatory Employee Contributions
If your employment is eligible to be covered under the WRS, you must make employee-required contributions. These contributions are credited to your individual WRS account. These contributions are vested immediately.
Your contributions are calculated as a percentage of your WRS earnings. The contribution rates are different for each WRS employment category. The rates generally change from year to year based on the recommendation of the consulting actuary.
Your employer may have agreed to pay part or all of your employee-required WRS contributions on your behalf, pursuant to a contract or collective bargaining agreement entered into prior to June 29, 2011. In addition, certain employees retained the right to bargain with their employers after that date over who will pay the employee-required contributions. Please contact Human Resources for more information.
GROUP LIFE INSURANCE Provider: Employee Trust Funds (ETF)/Securian
The city pays for the basic premium: Premium based on salary and age. Each employee will receive $1,000 insurance for each portion of $1,000 in earnings the previous year.
Eligibility: First of the month following 30 days of employment (timely enrollment-within 30 days from hire). No evidence of insurability required if the employee files within 30 days from date of hire.
Coverage for spouse/dependent and additional units is available, as an employee deduction.
INCOME CONTINUATION INSURANCE Provider: Employee Trust Funds (ETF)
The city provides the 90-day waiting period without cost to the employee.
The 60 or 30-day waiting period is available with the employee paying the cost of the difference between the 90-day waiting period and the period selected. Eligibility: First of the month following 30 days of employment (timely enrollment-within 30 days from hire).
ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT Provider Employee Trust Funds (ETF)
Coverage is equal to the total amount of your group life insurance under the basic, supplemental and additional coverages. See The Wisconsin Public Employers Group Life Insurance Program Booklet ET-2101 Rev 1/2016 for further details.
VACATION
2 weeks + 3 days at hire and less than 4 full years of service (104 hours)
3 weeks + 3 days after 4 full years of service (144 hours)
4 weeks + 3 days after 9 full years of service (184 hours)
4 weeks + 4 days after 10 full years of service (192 hours)
4 weeks + 5 days after 11 full years of service (200 hours)
4 weeks + 6 days after 12 full years of service (208 hours)
4 weeks + 7 days after 13 full years of service (216 hours)
4 weeks + 8 days after 14 full years of service (224 hours)
*Vacation is effective as of January 1st each year*
**Union-represented Police employees and Dispatchers have a separate vacation schedule.
SICK LEAVE is earned per month based on normally scheduled hours per day (i.e. 8 8-hour day earns 8 hours per month - 5-hour day earns 5 hours per month).
LENGTH OF SERVICE PAYMENT (longevity) The first length of service payment is $150.00 (for a 40-hour-per-week employee) after the employee has completed three full years of continuous full-time City employment prior to December 1 of the calendar year in which the payment is made. Subsequent length of service payments are increased by $50 for each additional year of continuous full-time employment. This amount is prorated for employees working less than a 40-hour week.
HOLIDAYS Employee is eligible for the listed paid holidays (in the Work Rules) based on the employee's normal scheduled hours of work per week.
FUNERAL LEAVE Employee may take up to three (3) days for a death in the family based on the employee's normal scheduled hours of work per week (family is defined in the Work Rules). 8 hours scheduled = 8 hours funeral leave per day, 6-hour regular day = 6 hours funeral leave per day.
HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP Employees are eligible for a free membership to Anytime Fitness. Anytime also offers spouse and family discounts to City of Stoughton employees' families that reside in the same household. See the City of Stoughton Employee Health Club Membership Flyer in your new hire orientation packet. *This is not a guaranteed benefit and is subject to change at any time.
OTHER BENEFITS AVAILABLE The following benefits are available to employees and are 100% employee-paid if elected. These insurances are offered to complement our existing benefits package and to offer the group rates to all benefit-eligible employees.

• Flexible Spending (EBC) As stated above, eligibility for this benefit is only during annual enrollment in November/December for the next calendar year.
• AFLAC Short Term Disability, Accident, Cancer, etc.
• Legal Shield Legal advice and/ or ID Theft.
• Delta Vision (EyeMed ) Vision Coverage.
• T-Mobile

Disclosure: Please note that this document serves as an overview and in no way should be used to determine coverage. Please refer to your plan documents and or contact the carrier for coverage, out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays, and insured amounts. This document is subject to change at any time and by no means serves as or is intended to serve as a contract.