Police Officer: Wauwatosa Police Department, Wisconsin
Wauwatosa Police Department Recruiting
At the Wauwatosa Police Department, our mission is to maintain a safe community, and we hire a variety of law enforcement positions to help contribute to that mission. Below, find information on how to apply, our benefits, lateral transfer options, and other information for you to consider a career with the Wauwatosa Police Department.
How to Apply
The Wauwatosa Police Department uses an ongoing recruitment process. Apply online.
Requirements
The basic requirements in order to become a Police Officer with the Wauwatosa Police Department:
- At least 21 years of age at the time of application
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have a high school diploma
- Have obtained a minimum of 60 college credits
Hiring Process
After submitting your completed application to become a Wauwatosa Police Officer, you can expect to take part in an in-depth hiring process.
Physical Fitness Testing
- Applicants who meet the requirements to become a Wauwatosa Police Department will be invited to participate in a physical fitness test. The physical fitness testing in a Pass/Fail event. The requirements for men and women are the same.
- The minimum requirements must be attained during each category in order to continue in the hiring process. The physical fitness test consists of:
- A minimum of 23 push-ups in one minute
- A minimum of 30 sit-ups in one minute
- A 1.5 mile run that is completed in under 16 minutes and 57 seconds
Upon successful completion of the physical fitness test, applicants will be invited to take part in an assessment center.
Assessment Center
- The assessment center is a standardized evaluation process that involves exercises to demonstrate strengths in communication, deductive reasoning, and teamwork.
- The process involves current Wauwatosa Police Officers from all ranks
- Applicants should anticipate the process lasting 8 hours
Oral Interview Process
Applicants who successfully pass the assessment center will be invited to the Wauwatosa Police Department to take place in a formal interview with the Police and Fire Commission.
Background Investigation
- Applicants approved by the Police and Fire Commission will given a conditional offer of employment as a Wauwatosa Police Officer.
- After receiving a conditional job offer, the applicant will be subjected to the following:
- A background investigation
- A medical examination
- Drug screening
- Vision examination
- A psychological evaluation
Divisions and Specialty Units
The Wauwatosa Police Department offers many options to broaden your career. Once you become a Wauwatosa Police Officer, the possibilities are endless.
Available opportunities include:
- Community Support Officers
- School Resource Officers
- Special Operations Group
- Detective Bureau & Crime Scene Technicians
- Special Response Team — Tactical Unit
- Canine Unit
- Crash Investigation Unit
- State Certified Instructor
- Firearms, Defense/Arrest Tactics, Emergency Vehicle Operations
- Drug Recognition Officers
- Motorcycle Officers
- Field Training Officers
- Federal Task Force Officers
What to Expect
After the completion of the fourteen week program, Probationary Police Officers are assigned to one of the three shifts for solo patrol while completing the remainder of their probationary period. Successful completion of the probationary period (12 months) will elevate Probationary Police Officers to permanent Police Officers.
Salary and Vacation
Salary
Current pay for a Wauwatosa Police Officer ranges from $56,844 to $79,889.
| Step A | $56,844 |
| Step B | $63,107 |
| Step 1 | $69,370 |
| Step 2 | $74,399 |
| Step 3 | $76,553 |
| Step 4 | $78,155 |
| Step 5 | $79,889 |
Wauwatosa Police Officers hired with no prior experience begin at “Step A” and move to “Step B,” after six (6) months. After one year of completed service, Officers are placed into “Step 1” and receive raises each year until reaching the top patrol officer pay of $79,889.
Vacation
Wauwatosa Police Officers are provided with paid vacation time that correlates with the number of completed years of service. Vacation time is provided at the completion of an Officer’s probationary period (12 months).
| Completion of one year of service | 10 Days |
| Completion of four years of service | 15 Days |
| Completion of eleven years of service | 20 Days |
| Completion of fifteen years of service | 23 Days |
| Completion of twenty years of service | 25 Days |
| Completion of twenty five years of service | 26 Days |
Benefits
- Wisconsin Retirement System
- Deferred Compensation Retirement Program
- Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
- Free services available at the Workplace Health Clinic
- Paid sick leave
- Paid vacation: 80-200 hours annually
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Physical Fitness Incentive – paid days off
- All Uniforms/Equipment provided at time of hire
- Uniform allowance after three years of employment
- City Wellness Incentive Program
- Access to fitness centers at both the Police Department and City Buildings
Lateral Transfer
The Wauwatosa Police Department accepts lateral transfers of certified law enforcement officers.
The years of service that a lateral transfer has accumulated through prior sworn experience will place new hires on an accelerated pay scale.
Prior years of sworn law enforcement experience will place you in the correlating pay step:
| Step B | $63,107 | 6+ months prior experience |
| Step 1 | 69,370 | 1+ year prior experience |
| Step 2 | $74,399 | 2+ years prior experience |
| Step 3 | $76,553 | 3+ years prior experience |
| Step 4 | $78,155 | 4+ years prior experience |
| Step 5 | $79,889 | 5+ years prior experience |
Prior years of sworn law enforcement experience will be counted toward your starting vacation time:
| 1+ years of prior experience | 10 Vacation Days |
| 4+ years of prior experience | 15 Vacation Days |
| 11+ years of prior experience | 20 Vacation Days |
| 15+ years of prior experience | 23 Vacation Days |
| 20+ years of prior experience | 25 Vacation Days |
| 25+ years of prior experience | 26 Vacation Days |
Department Contacts
To contact the recruiting staff at the Wauwatosa Police Department:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (414) 471-8430