Police Patrol Officer jobs in Madison, WI

This entry level, sworn position is responsible for the protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances.  Work involves patrolling assigned areas, responding to criminal, suspicious, traffic and unusual situations as directed; investigating crime, gathering evidence, apprehending violators, solving problems, protecting victims and property, responding to emergency situations, completing appropriate paperwork and other related duties as required.

Positions in this classification are responsible for general duty and investigatory police work under the general supervision of a Lieutenant.  Patrol Officers function without direct supervision and exercise discretion in determining appropriate response to emergency situations.  Duties normally consist of patrol and traffic activities in the City on an assigned shift in a patrol car, on a bicycle, or on foot and answering calls for service, investigating criminal activity, apprehending criminals and enforcing laws and ordinances.  Work is performed in accordance with departmental rules, regulations, and policies and normally consist of patrol, preliminary investigation and traffic enforcement duties.  Work involves elements of danger and requires physical strength and agility at times to apprehend or subdue persons suspected of crimes.

• Residency requirement of 20 miles within the Whitewater city limits by the completion of probationary period.
• Markings and tattoos must be approved by the Chief of Police if visible.

• Formal application
• Written Test (Stanard & Associates, Inc. Police Officer Selection Test (POST))
• Oral interviews (Field Training Officers and Administration, Police and Fire Commission)
• Job related tests may apply
• Background investigation
• Medical and psychological evaluations upon conditional job offer

• Attend Roll Call in order to receive briefing on incidents, wanted suspects, stolen vehicles, suspicious situations, missing persons, and other pertinent items.
• Patrol assigned areas, concentrating on high frequency crime locations and known trouble spots, keeping alert for wanted suspects, stolen vehicles, known criminals, traffic violators, crimes in progress, etc.
• Investigate criminal or illegal activities, unusual or suspicious activities and conditions, traffic accidents, etc.; enforcing applicable Federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
• Prepare necessary reports, interviews, narratives, and follow-up on violations and complaints; issues necessary citations or warning notices, as appropriate.
• Handle miscellaneous citizens' calls for assistance, such as: stranded autos, abandoned or disabled vehicles, standing by for citizen property removal, etc.
• Investigate traffic accidents, completing necessary reports and citations, and provide any necessary services, e.g. first aid, traffic control, scene clearance, etc.
• Observe traffic flow for violations and issues warnings and citations to violators, consistent with department policy.
• Query suspects through CIB and NCIC for wants and warrants, probation/parole status, criminal history, etc., to facilitate criminal investigations.
• Interview arrestees, fill out necessary paperwork, finger-printing and process subjects, transport arrestees to the appropriate detention facilities as circumstances and department policy dictate.
• Provide necessary medical, physical, or protective services to ensure the safety of crime victims, citizens, or property.
• Gather crime scene evidence as appropriate.
• Perform all duties within the guidelines of WPD Mission and Values, Department Policy and Procedures, Federal and State Law, and City Ordinance.
• Serve outstanding subpoenas or warrants.
• Evaluate erratic or impaired driving, conduct field sobriety tests, and make OWI arrests if probable cause exists for such arrest.
• Investigate domestic violence/abuse complaints; make arrests in compliance with department policy and state law.
• Testify at court proceedings.
• Actively participate in training as an instructor and/or student.  Programs include first aid/CPR certification, firearms qualification and training, defensive tactics, in-service, legal updates, etc.
• Gather vice and narcotics information, and take appropriate enforcement action.  Forward information on organized crime, vice, narcotics activities to the appropriate enforcement agency.
• Investigate child abuse/neglect complaints, gather all initial information, provide for protection of the child, ensure that all evidence collection is completed, and complete necessary reports.  Refer complaint to Juvenile Officer and/or Criminal Investigators.

• Provide preventive maintenance on all personal equipment; comply with maintenance schedules and practices for assigned police vehicles and other department equipment.
• Proactively recognize problems and situations within assigned area.  Seek appropriate resolution to such issues.
• Work cooperatively with fellow WPD officers, officers of local law enforcement agencies, and other agencies such as fire department, local hospitals, social service agencies, probation and parole, department of public works, etc.
• Perform crowd and traffic control at parades, festivals, demonstrations, and other events.
• Provide presentations to schools, business organizations, civic groups, etc. 
• Conduct licensed premise checks, looking for liquor law violations and criminal activities.
• Assume specialized duties, e.g. Field Training Officer, Sensitive Crimes Investigator, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Evidence Technician, etc.
• Complete all special assignments, projects, policies, and investigations as assigned.
• Assume various responsibilities in absence of a dispatcher, e.g. answering emergency and non-emergency telephone calls, dispatching appropriate units, operating and monitoring communications equipment, etc.
• Assume various responsibilities in absence of Lieutenant, e.g. field supervision, prioritizing of work assignments, etc.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• By the date of hire, employee must have either obtained 60 college credits from an accredited college, OR must have graduated from a Wisconsin Law Enforcement Academy.   
• If employee has completed the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Academy and does not have 60 college credits, they must agree to obtain 60 college credits from an accredited college within 5 years of the date of hire.               

• Ability to persuade, convince, and/or train others.  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 code manuals, City ordinances, directories, State statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence. 
• Ability to understand and execute complex oral and written instructions.  
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with City personnel, Department personnel and general public.  
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with court officials, business persons, public organization representatives, attorneys, other law enforcement personnel and the general public.
• Ability to quickly make assessments of emergency situations, determine appropriate responses and act assertively; cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully.
• Good human relations skills.
• Skill in public speaking.
• Fluency in second language preferred.

• Ability to complete accurate mathematical calculations as may be required of the position.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment in emergency and non-emergency situations in accordance with departmental rules and regulations.  
• Ability to cope with emergency situations calmly but effectively and to react quickly to secure accurate and precise information on the location, extent and nature of the emergency aid requests 
• Ability to quickly make assessments of emergency and non-emergency situations, determine appropriate responses and act assertively; cope with situations firmly, courteously, and tactfully.
• Ability to work well under pressure and handle stressful situations, to organize work and set priorities, managing time and resources to meet deadlines and changing demands, perform duties with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. 
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively, and to determine proper courses of action.  Ability to exhibit good judgment in resolving conflicts among disparate individuals and groups.  Ability to think clearly and decisively in the application of law enforcement duties and to take appropriate action as the situation dictates.

• Skill in the care, use and operation of departmental equipment, including but not limited to vehicles; handgun; medical equipment, radios, radar units, weapons, intoxilyzer, PBT's; police radio; baton; handcuffs; personal computer; 10-key calculator; first aid equipment; investigative equipment; cameras and video equipment; telephone; copy machine; fax machine.
• Working knowledge of basic computer functions and computerized record-keeping systems.

• Working knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques and equipment, including methods and practices of criminal investigation and identification, patrol, intelligence, traffic control, defensive tactics, public relations, etc.
• Knowledge of Federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; WPD Mission, Values Statement, Policies, Procedures, Rules, Regulations, and administrative and operations programs and projects; and court decisions relating to police powers. 
• Ability to deal with the public, other law enforcement officers, outside agency representatives, etc. in an effective, fair and professional manner.
• Ability to work in and maintain an environment that deals with sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to handle dangerous and/or stressful situations in an effective and efficient manner.
• Ability to both work cooperatively with others and work independently of direct supervision in an effective and efficient manner.
• Ability to remember and recall details.  Must possess good observational powers.
• Ability to prepare clear and comprehensive reports on investigations, offenses, arrests, and other activities.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the emotional state of victims and relatives of deceased, abused, seriously injured, or seriously ill persons.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and tenacity in order to actively influence events, rather than passively accepting results of the actions of others.
• Ability to demonstrate and exemplify personal characteristics of professionalism.
• Skill in the techniques of physical restraint of violators, and in defensive tactics.
• Skill in defensive driving techniques, both in routine and in high speed situations.
• Skill in First Aid.
• Skill in CPR/CCR, certification required.
• Demonstrate personal and professional honesty, integrity, and good judgment as shown in applicant's criminal history, background, and motor vehicle record. 
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by the time of hire, valid State driver’s license without record of suspension or revocation in any state.

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to talk or hear.  Ability to hear and understand radio transmissions.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, and the ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.  
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing skilled movements.  
• Physical demands include walking and sitting for extended periods of time and at times, run, jump, crawl, kneel, climb, bend, reach, stoop and carry and/or push heavy objects and any other physical movement in the performance of public safety duties.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive and quickly enter and/or exit a Police Department vehicle.  The employee must occasionally carry, drag or restrain individuals and/or lift/move more than 100 pounds.  The employee must also, at times, exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, occasionally involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, crouching, crawling, kneeling, stooping and or moving up to 50 pounds.  
• The work sometimes requires above average physical agility and conditioning.  Pursuit situations may require significant physical agility and may expose incumbents to great stress.
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities and differences between characteristics of colors, shapes and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
• Ability to meet the Departments physical standards and maintain good health and fitness.
• Necessary strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination to perform duties.

• Police Officers work in various office and outdoor settings, including significant time spent traveling in a patrol vehicle or other vehicle, as well as on foot, or rides a bicycle as assigned.  The employee frequently works in outside weather conditions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in an office environment.  The noise level in the work environment is occasionally loud in the field and quiet in the office.
• Due to the nature of contacts, working conditions are unpredictable and contain an element of personal and public danger.  Police Officers may be confronted with verbal or physical abuse in the course of their duties.  Since the employee takes physical custody of persons, there is a certain amount of physical contact and confrontation.  Ability to defend self and/or others in hostile, combative situations; may be required; and sometimes, the employee is vulnerable to personal injury.
• Conditions present high stress and threat to personal safety during periods of search and seizure and arrest.  The employee occasionally works in emergency field situations, in intense life-threatening conditions, whereby exposure and subject to physical threat from unruly and dangerous individuals; firearms and explosives; fumes or airborne particles; bodily fluids, bloodborne pathogens and other potential infectious materials; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious, or confined spaces; toxic or caustic chemicals and materials, unsafe building sites and gunshots.
• Employees are exposed to inclement and extreme weather conditions, uneven terrain and dangerous situations requiring the use of physical force and sometimes firearms and other weapons.  The employee may work irregular work hours and require extended work schedule during period of emergency.
• The employee must be able to operate a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.

• Works under general supervision of a Lieutenant, however, performs recurring job duties independently.   Some opportunity to vary work steps and in deciding appropriate procedures, guidelines and methods to apply exists.  
• Employees function without direct supervision and exercise discretion in determining appropriate response to emergency situations.  
• No formal supervisory responsibilities.