Police Officer

City of Wausau • Wausau, WI

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Wausau Police Department is seeking individuals with strong character traits to serve as police officers. The department values professionalism, integrity, accountability, and respect. With over 40,000 calls for service annually, officers utilize community-oriented policing to build relationships and solve problems. The role involves protecting life and property, enforcing laws, investigating crimes, and serving the public. This position has a significant impact on the quality of life through community partnership, strategic patrols, and thorough investigations. The City of Wausau is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations.

Requirements

• United States Citizenship
• Minimum age 21
• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 60 credits from an accredited university, college, or technical school
• Successful completion of the Wisconsin 720 Law Enforcement Academy, or a certified Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officer, or a certified Law Enforcement Officer with at least one year of service from another state
• Ability to obtain and possess a valid Driver's License issued by the state of Wisconsin
• Have no criminal convictions which would limit the ability to possess a firearm
• Ability to read, interpret and explain City of Wausau ordinances and Wisconsin State Statutes.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with citizens, co-workers, supervisors, and others from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments, such as computer keyboard/terminal, police radio, telephone, firearms and restraint devices.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing semi-skilled movements such as self-defense, firearms use, operation of a motor vehicle, data entry and assembling.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Ability to run, jump, push, pull, drive safely at high speeds and in adverse conditions.
• Ability to physically apprehend and subdue suspects.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sounds, tastes, odors and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
• Ability to remain calm, composed, undistracted and in full control of cognitive abilities while functioning appropriately in hostile, dangerous or fearful situations that require force, up to and including deadly force.
• Ability to use discretion effectively to determine a proper course of action consistent with a community-oriented, problem-solving approach to policing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of employment.
• Ability to adequately use and properly care for firearms and other police equipment.

Nice To Haves

• All applications must be completely filled out and have a Resume attached in the "Attachments" section of the application.
• Applications that are not complete and do not have the required attachment will not be considered.
• When completing References section, include 3 professional references with current and valid email addresses.

Responsibilities

• Patrols police sector in squad car, police bicycle, police motorcycle, or on foot to prevent or discover the commission of crime and traffic violations.
• Enforces City of Wausau ordinances and the laws of the State of Wisconsin.
• Operates a police vehicle in normal and emergency mode, day and night conditions, and during times of inclement weather and congested traffic.
• Responds to citizen calls for service and provide assistance as necessary.
• Investigates crime and other incidents, identify, collect and preserve evidence, identify and interview witnesses, issues citations and arrest criminals.
• Exercises independent judgment in determining reasonable suspicion to detain, probable cause to search and arrest, and use of force.
• Maintains working knowledge of criminal law as well as current police procedures.
• Investigates juvenile complaints and communicate with juveniles and parents/guardians.
• Prepares written documentation of police activities.
• Communicates police action in criminal and civil court proceedings.
• Problem solves with community members, business owners, and other city employees.
• Maintains City of Wausau core values.
• Efficiently operates computer systems for a variety of tasks.
• Performs basic CPR and first aid as needed.
• Perform special assignments as assigned by supervisor.
• Attend and participate in neighborhood group meetings.
• Speak in front of citizen groups.

Benefits

• Per the current agreement between the City of Wausau and the Professional Police Association. current rates for Police Officer are $32.32 - $42.00 per hour.
• Upon receipt of a request for lateral entry submitted to the Police Chief, with a copy to the Human Resources Director, if the requester has no less than three years of continuous employment as a full-time law enforcement officer, the Police Chief may approve the request at his or her sole discretion.
• If approved, the candidate will receive a full year salary credit for his/her past full-time law enforcement years of service and thereafter advance accordingly.
• The following compensation will be established commensurate with the chart provided in Appendix A, with the award of service credit incorporated therein.
• For the purpose of Appendix A, the term “Years of service” for the lateral entry program shall be defined as full-time law enforcement experience.
• Years of service shall be recognized at the time of hire, used for all actions under Appendix A after completion of Field Training, and annotated in the Lateral Officer’s initial appointment letter.
• If approved, the candidate will also receive a full year of vacation credit for his/her past full-time law enforcement years of service up to six years and thereafter advance accordingly.
• The candidate will be subject to an 18-month probationary period, beginning at his/her date of hire.
• All law enforcement personnel must reside within thirty (30) miles of the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Wausau.
• Such residence must be established within six months after the completion of the 18 month probationary period.
• Failure to do this will result in loss of employment.
• The City of Wausau will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process.
• Please notify the Human Resources Department or phone [phone] to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.
• Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant's application, records, recommendations and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the City not provide access to this information.
• If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Human Resources Department.
• If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED