Police Officer

The City of La Crosse Police & Fire Commission is accepting applications for the position of Police Officer through Monday, June 29, 2026. Applicants must satisfy the following qualifications:

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Have a minimum of sixty (60) credits of post-high school education at an accredited university, college, or technical school at time of application.
• Be able to legally possess a firearm.
• Not have felony, domestic abuse, or serious misdemeanor criminal convictions - automatic disqualification for any of these.
• Be of high moral character.
• Have a valid unrestricted driver license.
• Weight must be proportional to height.
• Vision: Corrected binocular vision of 20/20.
• Hearing and olfactory senses must be at acceptable levels. No more than a 20-decibel hearing loss in either ear at 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 hertz.

Additionally, candidates need not be certified to apply. Certification may be transferable from another state or any branch of the military with one (1) year of full time Law Enforcement experience. If not certified, successful candidates may be sent to the 720 Academy.

To submit an application, visit the City's NeoGov portal. Applicants must be able to attach the following items at the time of application:

• Resume
• Transcripts documenting college credits (originals or copies)
• Answers to the following essay questions (no more than one page per question):

1. Why have you chosen to apply for this position?
2. Discuss things you have done which have contributed to your life experience. Remember to include information regarding volunteer work with civic, school, or professional organizations. Be specific about names and dates.
3. Why do you believe you could relate to and/or work with people of different races, sexes, cultures, ages, socioeconomic groups, and education levels?

Please have these items ready and available when you begin your application through NeoGov.

Applicants who meet the basic qualifications and have all application materials submitted will be invited by the City of La Crosse to participate in series of steps. The candidate must pass the prior step to be invited to the next.

1. Wednesday, July 8: Oral interview with the Police Department supervisory panel. The interview will take a maximum of 20 minutes.
2. And Thursday, July 9: Candidates that pass the oral interview will move on to:
   • Physical Readiness Test (PRT) - must pass all components
   • National Police Officer Selection Test - must pass with a score of 70% or more
   • Personnel Evaluation Profile Test
   • PLEASE NOTE: you must be available this day from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. to complete all steps
3. Monday, Jul 13 or Tuesday, July 14: Human Resources Phone Interview. This will take 5-10 minutes.
4. Wednesday, July 15: City of La Crosse Police & Fire Commission Zoom Interview. This will take a maximum of 20 minutes.

For application questions, contact Human Resources at (608) 789-7595.

For specific questions about the La Crosse Police Department and what it's like to be a La Crosse Police Officer, contact the Professional Standards/Community Services Bureau at (608) 789-7240.

Once a candidate has passed through the interview, testing, and has been identified as a viable candidate for hire, there are additional pre-employment screening steps including:

• Comprehensive Background Investigation: this will be conducted by a member of the La Crosse Police Department.
• Chief's Interview
• Psychological Testing
• Physical Examination and Drug Screen

There are many resources available to candidates as they pursue a career in Law Enforcement. For the La Crosse Police Department application process, we suggest several helpful resources.

Physical Readiness Test (PRT)

For the Physical Readiness Test (PRT), we have partnered with a local business, ViaroFit, to create a 5-week training plan tailored to achieve the physical fitness required by the PRT. Visit the Physical Readiness Test tips webpage which includes:

• ViaroFit training plan
• State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board instructional video of the PRT
• A list of the specific test components and minimum standards the La Crosse Police Department requires for the PRT

National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)

The La Crosse Police Department utilizes the National Police Officer Selection Test (POST) provided by the testing company Stanard & Associates, Inc. Visit the POST informational page that includes:

• POST Description
• Time limit information
• Test preparation guides and practice exams 

Effective January 1, 2019, an individual seeking employment as a police officer with this department who:

• Left this department as a Police Officer and was in good standing when he or she left; or
• Is an officer from another department who left or is leaving that department in good standing; and
• Meets the current standards for employment with this Department in regards to certification and education; and
• Is selected to be hired;

Shall be eligible for compensation and vacation accrual at a level above that of a new officer, up to 1st Class Patrol Officer. The selected individual shall be considered a new employee for all other matters including assignment to Investigator, etc. Effective January 1, 2016, lateral transfers may be eligible for consideration for assignment to Investigator subject to the selection criteria as defined in Article XXXII.

In determining the level of pay compensation, the following guidelines are to be used:

• 4th Class Officer - Less than 1 year of full time service
• 3rd Class Officer - 1 year of full time service but less than 1.5 years of full time service
• 2nd Class Officer - 1.5 years of full time service but less than 3 years of full time service
• 1st Class Officer - 3 years of full time service

These guidelines may be overridden by agreement between the Police Department Administration, the Mayor, the Director of Human Resources and the LPPNSA Board with regard to specialized training and qualifications that an applicant may possess.

In determining the level of vacation benefit, the lateral transfer will receive "continuous years of service" credit for all previous full time police service/experience and will receive the same vacation benefits under article XIX-A as any current employee. By way of example, a lateral transfer with five (5) previous years of service in good standing with another agency and five (5) years of continuous service with this agency will be deemed to have ten (10) years of service for vacation benefit.

Lateral transfer credit(s) do not apply to calculations for longevity compensation or seniority.

This amendment is not retroactive for any employee hired before January 1, 2019.

Download a PDF copy of this information(PDF, 115KB).

The La Crosse Police Department is a mid-sized department is made up of 100 sworn officers who serve in various roles such as shift patrol and command, investigations, and community services with ample opportunity to advance through the ranks as Officer, Investigator, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and above!

The Department also boasts numerous special teams such as Emergency Response Team, K-9 Unit, Bike Patrol, Water Patrol, Honor Guard, as well as specialized assignments like Neighborhood Resource Officer, School Resource Officer, and Community Resource Unit.

The training we offer is second to none with opportunities to be certified as a Field Training Officer, DAAT or Firearms Instructor, as well as Taser, Standardized Field Sobriety Test, and Drug Recognition Expert classifications.

On top of these fantastic opportunities, the members of the La Crosse Police Department have the support and assistance of our internal Police Officer Support Team and the greater La Crosse Area Law Enforcement Chaplaincy.

Some other benefits that La Crosse Police Officers enjoy:

• Competitive pay with the opportunity for an annual base pay between $69,000 and $83,000
• Shift differential pay and education incentives
• 12-hour schedule on a 2/2, 3/2, 2/3 cycle which equates to every other weekend off!
• Ability to earn up to 6 weeks of paid vacation
• Annual Holiday banks of 11 days
• Cumulative compensatory time up to 120 hours and sick leave up to 120 days
• Opportunity to use sick leave for 4 Personal Business Days and 24 hours Family Care
• Other common Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, and Life insurance benefits

Salary Rates

New hires with less than 1 year of full time sworn work experience begin at Step A, 4th Class. Those with over 1 year of full time sworn work experience may be eligible to begin at Step B, C, or D.

Pay Step Advancement

All employees are entitled to pay step advances on the anniversary of their appointment to the department, after one, one and one half, three, seven, ten, fifteen, twenty, and twenty-five years of service.

Work Schedule

Patrol Officers generally work a 12-hour schedule (2/2-3/2-2/3 cycle) with a total of 2080 hours worked per year.

Shift Differential

Range from $17 to $80 per month depending on shift placement and work schedule.

Education Incentive

An educational incentive payment of fifty dollars ($50.00) per month shall be paid for those officers who possess/attain a Bachelor’s Degree in law enforcement/police science or related field. Employees shall be eligible for tuition reimbursement for college level courses related to their occupation as approved by the Chief of Police and the Director of Human Resources and in accordance with the City’s Tuition Reimbursement Policy.

Vacation Schedule

Employees shall receive one (1) week of paid vacation after one (1) year of continuous service*; two (2) weeks after two (2) years of continuous service; three (3) weeks after six (6) years of continuous service; and four (4) weeks after thirteen (13) years of continuous service; five (5) weeks after twenty (20) years of continuous service; twenty-six (26) days after twenty-six (26) years of continuous service; twenty-seven (27) days after twenty-seven (27) years of continuous service; twenty-eight (28) days after twenty-eight (28) years of continuous service; twenty-nine (29) days after twenty-nine (29) years of continuous service; and thirty (30) days after thirty (30) years of continuous service. Employees hired under the lateral transfer provision shall receive “continuous years of service” credit for all previous full-time police service/experience.

Holidays

Holiday pay shall be allowed for the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Spring Holiday (Friday before Easter), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. Those employees scheduled to work on any of the above named holidays shall receive time and one-half for all hours worked on the holiday plus 8 hours additional holiday pay in cash, at straight time rates. Those employees scheduled to be off either on an assigned day of rest or for any other reason on one of the above holidays, shall receive 8 hours holiday pay in cash, computed at straight time.

Holiday Compensation Time Bank

All holiday pay as provided above can be credited as compensatory time off in lieu of cash payment; however the compensatory time, when used, shall be with the permission of the Chief of Police or his designee. Such holiday compensatory time, if not used or approved to be used when the last pay period in November is calculated, shall be paid in cash the first pay period in December.

Sick Leave

All employees shall accumulate one (1) day of sick leave which shall be credited to them for each month of employment commencing with the first month of employment. The sick leave credits shall be cumulative to a maximum of 120 days. Probationary employees shall be authorized sick leave after six (6) months of service. Employees may use sick leave for personal business, family care, or catastrophic leave subject to contract provisions.

Medical Benefit

The City offers a comprehensive medical benefit plan.

Dental Insurance

Employees may choose from two different plans.

Vision Insurance

A voluntary vision plan, completely funded by the employee.

Pension

Contributions to the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) begin as of date of hire. Employer contributions are paid for by the employer. Employees are required to pay 50% of the General employee’s total WRS rate. Additional information regarding the WRS is available at: www.etf.wi.gov.

Life Insurance

During an employee’s open enrollment period they can elect to participate in life insurance benefits as follows:

• Basic: Covers the employee for 1 times their annual salary
• Additional: Covers the employee for up to 3 times their annual salary.
• Supplemental: Covers the employee for 1 times their annual salary.
• Spouse/Dependent: Employees can elect coverage from two different levels. Unit 1: Spouse covered for $10,000/Dependents for $5,000, Unit 2: spouse covered for $20,000/Dependents for $10,000

Income Continuation Insurance

Benefits Payable up to 75% of gross salary to a maximum of $4,000 per month for physical or mental disabilities. Payments begin the first of the month following the benefit month.

• For length of disability (benefits normally cease at age 65)
• After exhaustion of the selected elimination period after date disability begins

Coverage

• May be continued during authorized leave of absence and layoffs
• May include rehabilitative training
• Noncancelable except by employee or if the WRS employer withdraws from the plan

Premium

• Based upon earnings and selected elimination period
• Up to 100% paid by the employer

457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The 457 deferred compensation program is a voluntary benefit available to employees that provides another way to save for retirement. Federal and State taxes are deferred until assets are withdrawn (anytime upon separation from service), usually during retirement when you may be in a lower tax bracket. Participation is through payroll deduction so your taxes are reduced each pay period. A participant can change their election at any time. There are no minimum contribution levels; deferral limit (max) in 2025 is $23,500 or $31,000 if over age 50. An eligible employee may enroll at any time.

Roth IRA

Employees may elect for payroll deductions to be placed in a Roth IRA. May enroll at any time.

Cafeteria Plan (IRS Section #125 Plan)

This is a flexible spending account in which you can defer money from your paycheck pre-tax to a dependent care or medical account. You are then allowed to submit applicable expenses to the plan for reimbursement or use a pre-paid Debit card to pay for eligible expenses. If enroll by applicable deadline, a new employee’s plan year would begin the first of the month following 60 days of employment. Open enrollment to enroll in the next plan year held every fall.

Download a PDF copy of this information(PDF, 173KB).