POLICE OFFICER

Coming soon 12-hour shifts.  The Portage Police Department is hiring! Come join our professional agency in a community that supports our mission. 

Position: POLICE OFFICER

Portage Police Department, City of Portage, WI (Population 10,581)

Applications are being accepted to fill full-time vacancy

Department 

The Portage Police Department is one of the oldest in the State of Wisconsin. Portage has a long rich history tied to the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers as a strategic spot for trading and transportation. Today the rivers, Silver Lake, and surrounding area provide many recreational opportunities. The City is still a transportation cross road with many state highways crossing right through the city, the interstates just outside, and an Amtrak stop.  To care for and protect our beautiful city we have a team of 24 sworn officers, two administrative assistants and one community service officer. A significant link in our team are 5 patrol sergeants who provide guidance, direction and leadership 24 hours a day. The City and the Portage area School District recognize how valuable our youth are and have partnered together to provide a School Resource Officer and a DARE instructor. Protecting the City we also have 3 officers trained as Drug Recognition Experts. The community has made a huge investment in providing us the priceless resource of two K9 teams. If you are looking for a team with a passion to work together in providing exceptional law enforcement services look no further than applying at City of Portage. 

Responsibilities of an officer: 

Able to face challenges, work independently, and in a team environment, general police functions including patrol, criminal law enforcement, traffic code enforcement, ordinance enforcement, maintaining public peace, protecting life and property and working with the community to address community problems. 

Salary and Benefits: 

Based upon the most current labor agreement with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association the minimum starting wage rate is $33.34 per hour with lateral transfer opportunities available (DOQ), 

(6-3 schedule) but we are switching to 12 hour shifts on the Pittman schedule with every other weekend off in January of 2026, Wisconsin Retirement Fund, Health insurance, Life insurance, vacation, sick leave, paid holidays (10), clothing allowance, deferred compensation, relocation bonus. Work with a family / team in a supportive growing community. 

Lateral Transfer Program Details:

Lateral Transfer candidates are sworn officers who are currently employed full-time within another agency. The Chief has authority and discretion, based on prior years' experience, education, and additional skills to determine, singly or in combination the rate of pay, vacation eligibility and/or sick leave accrual that may be granted to such qualified candidates upon hire.

Academy 

We will sponsor qualified candidates to attend the Wisconsin basic law enforcement academy program. 

Veterans 

Thank you for your service to our country. For those who may not have 60 college credits, please have the Wisconsin Department of Justice Training and Standards Bureau review your Joint Service Transcript for possible credit waivers. We encourage you to apply as your training, experience, and dedication would be a huge asset to our team. 

Qualifications:

U.S. citizen, valid driver’s license with good driving record, good physical condition, Eligible for Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board Certification is preferred, (has attended or is currently enrolled in the advanced law enforcement academy )  but not mandatory as we will sponsor the right person(s), High School diploma, 60 college credits, ability to possess a firearm, no felony convictions, no domestic abuse convictions, vision correctable to 20/20, good verbal and written communication skills, react quickly and effectively to stressful situations, able to work evenings, weekends & holidays, clear and concise speech, ability to handle several tasks simultaneously, ability to perform essential functions of this position, ability to use all standard law enforcement equipment.

Apply:

 By 4:00 PM Thursday September 25th, 2025 to Assistant Chief Richard Hoege, City of Portage, 117 West Pleasant Street, Portage, WI 53901. Submit a comprehensive letter of interest, current resume, a completed Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board Form DJ-LE 330 including the three questions, and proof of completion or proof of enrollment in a law enforcement academy if applicable.  Email documents preferred to : Richard.hoege@portagewi.gov Questions? Call (608) 742-2174. Posting also available at www.Wilenet.doj or on our website: https://www.portagewi.gov/police

Note: 

Successful applicants will be invited for a written test (if applicable), interviews will begin the week of October 6th, 2025, an extensive background investigation; physical and psychological exams and drug screen. The City of Portage does require residency within a 40 minute response time to City Hall within 60 days after completion of probation. The City of Portage is an Equal Opportunity Employer.