Police Chief

The City of Onalaska is seeking to hire a Police Chief. Under the direction of the Mayor, this position oversees all Police Department operations. This position holds the highest-level management position within the Police Department and is ultimately responsible for the complete control, operation, and representation of the City's Police Department and its employees. The Chief is responsible for managing the physical facilities and equipment;

supervising departmental activities; formulating and enforcing department rules of conduct and policies; coordinating departmental activities with outside agencies; preparing and justifying departmental budgets; making recommendations for hiring, promotions, commendations, and discipline; setting individual and departmental goals and objectives; and making major changes in procedures and organization. The Chief also provides information to the Common Council, business groups, service organizations, special committees, and representing both the City, and the department to the general public, governmental agencies, news media, etc.

This position is appointed by the Police and Fire Commission and supervises all employees hired by the Police and Fire Commission to serve as employees of the Onalaska Police Department.

• Oversees all activities of the department for adherence to established policies and work methods.
• Plans, reviews, and coordinates departmental activities with the Mayor, City Administrator, Department Heads, the Police and Fire Commission, and other appointed and elected officials.
• Performs or directs the performance of tasks related to fiscal, personnel, property, and records management and other administrative tasks.
• Supervises the day-to-day activities of the police department officers and staff; evaluates, monitors and approves police department policies, procedures and programs, such as the Unmanned Aerial System Program, Peer Support Team, K9 Program, etc.
• Develops and projects a good public image of the department and its employees with the general public, other law enforcement agencies, governmental officials, and the news media.
• Coordinates departmental activities with other governmental agencies in the apprehension of felons, improvement of police services, and the solving of criminal cases.
• Responsible for the recruitment and retention of police personnel; evaluates personnel, administers discipline and grievance processes within the Police Department.
• Assigns subordinate staff members to various positions within the department to utilize their areas of expertise and promote career development.
• Prepares, reviews, approves, and submits police department annual operating budget for consideration by the Mayor and Common Council. Purchases supplies & equipment, acquires quotes, processes requisitions/purchase orders, processes account receivables & account payables.
• Supervises expenditures of departmental appropriations by other department members.
• Develops rules of conduct, policies, mission statements, goals and objectives and work procedures to be followed by members of the department based on trends in city government, law enforcement requirements, and city growth patterns.
• Attends meetings of the City Common Council, as well as meetings of the Police and Fire Commission and other committees of jurisdiction.
• Represents the police department at meetings and hearings conducted by other governmental bodies and agencies on matters directly related to the department's operations; provides liaison with other organizations and groups on matters related to the department's operations.
• Coordinates and actively participates in Community Policing programs, special events, and department fundraisers.
• Develops and annually reviews the department's long-range plan for capital improvements, including the acquisition of capital equipment and fiscal requirements associated with such a plan.
• Monitors the planning, organization, conduct and evaluation of departmental training activities of personnel; reviews programs of instruction designed to equip department personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to perform the tasks they are assigned.
• Serves as Assistant City Emergency Management Director; assists the Fire Chief with planning, organization, and conducting of activities related to the provision of emergency services and disaster management, including readiness planning; in the Fire Chief’s absence serves as the Director.
• Manages I.T. related needs within the department.

The 2026 annual salary range for this exempt position is $112,565 (step
1) through $147,646 (step 11). Starting salary depends on qualifications.

The City offers competitive benefits to include health and dental insurance effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment. For 2026 health insurance, the most affordable area plan offered is the Quartz West Plan with premiums at $225.36 per month for a single plan or $554.72 per month for a family…