Patrol Officer

Applications are being accepted to establish an eligibility list for the position of City of Burlington Police Officer. Starting salary from the 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement:

Starting Annual Salary: $62,335.08 - $79,400.88 DOQ

A City of Burlington Patrol Officer Employment Application form is required to be submitted as part of this position recruitment. This form may be obtained here:

https://www.burlington-wi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3909/Application---Patrol-Officer---fillable

Complete the application form and upload it as part of the online application. 

Patrol Officer Recruit: $62,953.84

After 6 months: $71,416.88
After 2 years: $73,333.04

After 3 years: $78,642.40
After 5 years: $80.199.28

Detective/SRO: $81,816.04
Top patrol pay in 2025-$80,199.28

Laterally hired officers may receive a starting annual salary and vacation commensurate with their years of experience as a sworn law enforcement officer. Lateral hires are not required to take the POST Exam.

Opportunities: Shift Commander, Field Training Officer, Department Instructor, K9, School Resource Officer, Detective Bureau, Mobile Field Force, Peer Support Team, Honor Guard Team.

Benefits: Wisconsin retirement fund; health insurance; life insurance; sick leave; dental; $875.00 annual uniform allowance; longevity pay; deferred compensation; tuition reimbursement for continuing education; vacation/compensatory/casual/holiday time off; double time overtime on Sundays, 11 paid holidays; incentive time off for instructors/trainers; 5 on 3 off patrol schedule; paid law enforcement academy, firearm and ballistic vest purchased by the department. 

Steps for Establishing Eligibility List
1. Complete written application provided by the City of Burlington
2. Written Test - Lateral Officers Excluded.
3. Oral Interview with Field Training Officers
4. Oral Interview with Command Staff
5. Oral Interview with Police & Fire Commission

Post Conditional Offer of Employment
1. Psychological exam
2. Medical exam, drug screen, vision, and hearing exam
3. Physical fitness/Physical agility exam

Timeline (subject to change)
1. Applications due Friday, March 27, 2026 | 2:00p.m.

2. Written POST Test Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. @ Burlington PD

                                            Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. @ Burlington PD

3. Field Training Officer/Command Staff Interviews | April 20 – April 24, 2026

4. Police & Fire Commission Interviews | May 11, 2026, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Minimum Qualifications

Certified or certifiable by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board

Must be a citizen on the United States.

Must be at least 18 years of age by the date of application deadline.

Must have a High School Diploma or GED and meet one of the following requirements:

Have transcripts of grades validating a minimum of 60 fully accredited college level credits, or:

Have an associate degree from a Wisconsin Vocational, Technical and Adult Education District or its accredited equivalent from another state, or;

Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or;

An applicant who has not met these standards at the time of employment shall meet this standard as a requirement of recertification by the board at the end of his or her fifth year of employment as a law enforcement officer. This educational standard shall apply to applicants first employed as law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officers on or after February 1, 1993.

Must not have any felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories.

Must be of good moral character.

Must be medically, physically, and psychologically able to safely perform the functional requirements of a police officer for the City of Burlington without increased risk to personal and public health and safety. Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions as listed on the job description with or without reasonable accommodation.

Must have or qualify for a valid Wisconsin Driver's License by the date of hire.

Must meet all eligibility requirements imposed by the State of Wisconsin.

The Patrol Officer is directly accountable to the Patrol Sergeant and ensures the constitutional rights of all citizens.  He/she will impartially enforce State of Wisconsin laws and City of Burlington ordinances. The Patrol Officer carries out departmental functions primary to the prevention of criminal activity and providing day to day police services to the community.

The Patrol Officer needs knowledge of:

Burlington Police Department rules, regulations, policies and procedure

Law enforcement terminology

Applicable state statutes and municipal ordinances

Current office equipment, procedures, methods, and practices

Design and maintenance of centralized records systems

Data entry and data processing applications

Proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation

The Patrol Officer needs the ability to:

Maintain confidential information.

Ability to operate a wide variety of Police related equipment

Organize and prioritize work effectively, within department guidelines.

Determine proper work priorities and meet established deadlines.

Type and edit a variety of written materials.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Desired Qualification
1. Certified or certifiable by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board

For a copy of the job description or contract information, please contact Lt. Jeremy Krusemark by email at [email protected].

Applications are due on Friday, March 27, 2026. 

Applications can be submitted via email to [email protected], dropped off or mailed to:

Lt. Jeremy Krusemark

224 E Jefferson St

Burlington, WI 53105

The City of Burlington is an equal opportunity employer.