Police Officer

Recruitment for Certified and Non-Certified Police Officer Candidates

Certified/certifiable applicants will be given preference.

The City of South Milwaukee invites applications for the position of Police Officer. Qualified applicants who have submitted required supplementary application materials, including official college transcripts, by the deadline below will be invited to take a written test.

• Sunday, April 12 – Final date to receive applications.
• Sunday, April 19 – Final deadline for all supplemental application materials (transcripts) and deadline to register for written test.
• Wednesday, May 6, 9 AM – Written Test.
• August 1, 2026 – Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by this date.

The minimum salary listed in this posting is the initial bi‑weekly pay rate for non‑certified applicants who must attend the law enforcement academy upon hire. Certified officers may begin at a higher rate, depending on years of experience. For example, the bi‑weekly rate for candidates with over five years of experience is $3,542.91 under the 2026 contract.

Applicants are not required to have completed an approved State of Wisconsin police recruit academy to apply. If a candidate who has not completed a recruit academy is selected, the City of South Milwaukee will send the new hire to the police academy.

The Police Officer is charged with keeping the peace, enforcing the law, and providing overall safety and security in the community.

Officers are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner when dealing with others, keeping in mind the highest principles of police service. They are sworn to safeguard the lives and property of all persons, and to protect the constitutional rights of all citizens, never letting their personal feelings interfere with their oath.

Officers are expected to build an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, so that citizens and community leaders form a partnership with the police to address the problems of crime, drugs, fear of crime, and social and physical disorder, including neighborhood decay. Accordingly, they shall work with community residents to identify and prioritize problems, and will be facilitators in developing creative solutions to problems that do not focus exclusively on arrest.

Various shifts with rotating off days. Subject to Emergency On‑Call.

Works under the general guidance and direction of the Shift Commander.

Officers shall comply with all lawful orders directed to them by superiors to the best of their ability. They shall treat all persons within their scope of authority in a respectful manner and take necessary actions to ensure the protection of their civil and constitutional rights.

At any time, officers may be placed in situations that demand physical and mental endurance. Therefore, they must maintain a high degree of physical and mental fitness.

• Officers shall be aware of and comply with all Rules, Regulations, Policies & Procedures, and General Orders of the Department, and are responsible to keep abreast of any additions, changes, or modifications to the same.
• Report for roll call at the specified time and place, wearing the uniform of the day, with all equipment necessary to sustain themselves until the completion of the tour of duty.
• Maintain prompt, predictable, and regular physical attendance.
• Gather and report intelligence‑related information.
• Conduct Community Oriented Policing to become acquainted with the merchants, businesses and citizens and assist them in identifying problem areas or concerns.
• Provide a sense of security for businesses and citizens.
• Enforce local, state, and federal laws.
• Respond to calls for service.
• Respond to and investigate reports of criminal offenses.
• Provide follow‑up contacts on serious criminal offenses (burglaries, robberies, etc.).
• Prepare written reports and maintain records.
• Be responsible for building security, where applicable, particularly vacant or temporarily closed businesses or residences.
• Conduct interviews with representatives of the media, when instructed.
• Serve as a member/advisor of various…