Police Officer
Salary
$67,225.60 - $87,360.00 Annually
Location
515 Grand Avenue, Wausau, WI
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
202600535
Department
Police
Division
Patrol Division
Opening Date
06/25/2026
Closing Date
7/12/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Purpose of the Position
The Wausau Police Department believes strongly in our mission. The Wausau Police Department strives for excellence in policing by partnering with the community to enhance the quality of life. To accomplish this mission, it is imperative we find people who have the right character traits to work in our community as police officers. Professionalism, Integrity, Accountability, and Respect are the values at the core of our agency. We have more than 40,000 calls for service annually and we utilize our philosophy of community oriented policing to foster relationships and find solutions for problems in our community. Because of the wide variety of assistance police officers must provide within the community along with the complexity of policing, the law enforcement profession presents more challenges than ever. Officers must be able to adapt quickly and problem solve effectively. Education and training are vital to the success of our organization.
This recruitment is open to candidates who have successfully completed the Wisconsin 720 Law Enforcement Academy, or are a certified Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officer, or are a certified Law Enforcement Officer with at least one year of service from another state who want to make a positive difference in the lives of people in our community.
City of Wausau Police Department Website:
https://www.wausauwi.gov/your-government/police
City of Wausau Police Department Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/WausauPoliceDepartment
City of Wausau Police Department Showcase Video:
https://www.wausauwi.gov/your-government/police/recruitment
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
The purpose of this position is general duty police work involving protection of life and property, enforcement of laws, crime investigation, and service to the public. The employee has a significant impact of the quality of life through community partnership, strategic police patrols, and thorough investigations.
The City of Wausau is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss accommodations with the employer.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Additional Duties & Responsibilities
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Requirements for this Recruitment Process
Candidates will be required to participate in a polygraph examination containing potential subject areas of excessive physical force against others, illegal drug use, commission of crimes, lying, and lying about anything in the polygraph screening booklet. Polygraph examination results will not be the sole determinant of employment with the City of Wausau Police Department.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Physical and Working Environment
Regular exposure to disagreeable and environmental conditions. Exposed to one or more particularly disagreeable elements such as continuous high noise level, considerable dust, heat, and humidity. Personal protective equipment regularly used. Regular travel throughout City.
Ability to work under mildly unsafe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as potential violence, machinery and disease can cause discomfort and where there is a risk of injury.
Additional Information
IMPORTANT! 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.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
The selection procedure may consist of any or all of the following: Written Test, Initial Interview, Physical Ability Evaluation, FTO (Field Training Officer) Review, Initial Command Interview, Background Investigation, Final Command Interview, Polygraph Examination, Police & Fire Commission Interview, Psychological Evaluation, and Physical Examination with Alcohol/Drug Screening. Other procedures may be included as necessary.
NOTICE REGARDING POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION:
The Polygraph Examination includes the potential subject areas of excessive physical force against another, illegal drug use, commission of crimes, lying, and lying about anything in the polygraph screening booklet. Polygraph examination results will not be the sole determinant of employment with the City of Wausau Police Department.
SALARY INFORMATION:
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. Please see pages 31 of the current labor agreement for more information: https://www.wausauwi.gov/your-government/human-resources/employee-handbook-and-policies
LATERAL ENTRY FOR POLICE OFFICERS:
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.
RESIDENCY INFORMATION:
Per Article 32 of the Wausau Professional Police Association Labor Agreement, 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.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
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 (715) 261-6630 to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:
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 applicants 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.
ADDITIONAL NOTICES:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters/fmla
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters/employee-polygraph-protection-act
The City of Wausau is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The City of Wausau offers competitive salaries and a range of excellent benefits as follows:
Uniform Allowance Longevity Pay
01
Are you a United States Citizen?
02
Are you at least twenty-one (21) years old?
03
What is the highest level of education that you have received?
04
Do you have at least 60 credits from an accredited university, college, or tech school?
05
This recruitment is for candidates who have successfully completed the Wisconsin 720 Law Enforcement Academy, or are a certified Wisconsin Law Enforcement Officer, or are a certified Law Enforcement Officer with at least one year of service from another state. Which of the following describes your current status:
06
Do you possess, or have the ability to possess, a valid drivers license issued by the state of Wisconsin?
07
Do you have a criminal conviction which would limit your ability to possess a firearm?
08
Qualifying veterans and certain spouses of veterans may receive veteran preference points, in accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes. "Qualifying" means you, or your spouse, meet the definition of a "veteran" as indicated below. "Veteran" means a person who fulfills at least one of the following requirements: 1. Served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for at least 180 days, not including training. 2. Was discharged from the U.S. armed forces because of a disability incurred during active duty or because of a disability that is later adjudicated by the U.S. department of veteran affairs to have been incurred during active duty. 3. Was honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. 4. Is eligible to receive federal veterans benefits. A copy of the veterans undeleted (indicates type of discharge) DD-214 will be required to be attached to your application for verification. If you have a service-connected disability, a copy of the rating decision will be required to be attached to your application for verification.
Required Question
Employer City of Wausau
Address 407 Grant Street
Wausau, Wisconsin, 54403
Phone 715-261-6630
Website https://www.wausauwi.gov/