Certified Police Officer 2025 *CERTIFIED CANDIDATES ONLY

1. Application Acceptance (April 2025 – December 2025): Online applications must be complete, thorough, and submitted online.  Paper applications will not be accepted.   We currently accept attachments with the following extensions: .bmp, .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpeg, .pdf, .png, .tif, .xls, and .xlsx. Attachments that are larger than five (5) megabytes will not be accepted. If your file is larger than five (5) megabytes, you will need to reduce the file size. Candidates submitting incomplete applications will be rejected and will not be permitted to participate in the process. The supplemental questions asked of applicants will be used to determine minimally qualified applicants. Failure to complete the supplemental questions accurately may result in the elimination of applications from further consideration.  
2. Chief Interview: Applicants will receive an email notifying them to self-schedule their interviews. Applicants will be disqualified if they do not self-schedule their interview. Applicants will answer a series of questions in front of the Police Chief. Applicants are required to complete and submit their personal history packet at this interview. All applicants are notified by email if they passed/failed the interviews. 
3. Eligibility List: Applicants who pass the entire process may be placed on the eligibility list to be considered for future employment. When a police officer vacancy occurs, Human Resources will provide applicants to the Police Chief. The applicants presented to the Police Chief are among the top ten (10) scoring and qualified candidates on the eligibility list for the first vacancy.  For each additional vacancy, the Police Chief will receive up to five (5) names from the next highest-scoring and qualified candidates.  The Police Chief will use the eligibility list to fill vacancies for the next twelve (12) months or until ten or fewer candidates remain on the list.  The list may be extended by the Police & Fire Commission for up to an additional 6 months.   
4. Background Checks: As vacancies occur, the Chief will select candidates to go through the background check, which includes criminal and civil records, driver's license records, employment history, education, current and previous landlord, neighbor and personal references - a minimum of three (3) professional references required, military and training history, social media accounts, etc. Note: Applicants who have not successfully passed the KPD background investigation, psychological examination, or drug screen within twelve (12) months of this job posting opening date may be eliminated from consideration for this recruitment process. 
5. Conditional Offer: Once the background check is complete, the Chief will review all information to determine if the applicant will continue in the hiring process. If an applicant doesn’t pass the background check, they will be eliminated from the process. If an applicant is being considered for employment, they will receive a conditional offer based on the applicant passing the Psychological Test, Drug Screening, and Medical Evaluation. The cost of medical exams required for this position that are scheduled and authorized by the City of Kenosha are paid by the City. Human Resources will contact the applicant to schedule the medical exams. Note: Candidates who fail any required examinations will have conditional offers of employment rescinded. 
6.  Onboarding/Field Training Program: Appointed incumbents will participate in the Field Training Program (FTO) at KPD before being assigned to solo patrol. Potential for condensed FTO based on prior law enforcement experience. Appointed incumbents are on probation for 252 days.  Incumbents hired must comply with all departmental policies and procedures.
7. Residency Requirement: Within one month after the completion of the 252 working day probationary period, the officer must reside within Kenosha County, Racine County, Milwaukee, Walworth and Waukesha Counties as well as all of Lake County, Illinois. 

• Conducts routine preventative patrol in designated areas of the City; patrols residential/business areas for detection of violators; initiates contacts with both business operators and residents; maintains an open line of communications within the community.
• Responds to calls for police service; attempts to resolve domestic disputes, disturbances and other incidents through counseling or referral; settles disputes among neighbors, juveniles, and/or gangs; resolves any and all complaints from citizens of the community.
• Provides information and/or assistance to the public; answers a wide range of non-police related service calls; informs citizens of available services in the community; promotes crime prevention through community and educational programs; makes presentations to public and local organizations concerning crime prevention and related police matters.
• Attempts to maintain the peace and safety of the community; responds to public disturbances; maintains civil obedience at group functions.
• Provides for the safe and convenient flow of traffic and pedestrians within the community; investigates traffic accidents; enforces traffic violations; conducts driver intoxication investigations; promotes vehicular and pedestrian safety; reports unsafe road conditions.
• Conducts criminal and non-criminal investigations, performs surveillance and conducts follow-up investigations.
• Enforces laws and arrests lawbreakers; makes felony and misdemeanor arrests; issues Notices to Appear and traffic citations.
• Prepares written reports, forms, and other documents as required.
• Testifies in criminal and civil court proceedings; gives depositions.

• Current Certified Law Enforcement Officer.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to speak and understand the English language.
• Completion of either a two-year Associate Degree or a minimum of 60 fully accredited college-level credits within 5 years of the date of hire pursuant to LES 2.01(1)(e).
• United States citizen.
• Attained the age of eighteen (18) years of age at the time of application.
• Possession of or if out of state can obtain a valid Wisconsin driver's license with a good driving record that meets the City standards.
• Have no physical, mental or emotional conditions with or without a reasonable accommodation that could adversely affect their ability to perform the essential duties of the job.
• Must meet the City’s vision requirement, with eyesight correctable to 20/20.
• No loss of hearing within normal voice range.
• No felony convictions unless pardoned.
• Others required by law enforcement standards.

• Knowledge of federal laws, state statutes, and local ordinances. 
• Knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the Kenosha Police Department.
• Knowledge of crime prevention techniques.
• Knowledge of First Responder and CPR.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with superiors, subordinates, and the general public.
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively.
• Ability to determine proper courses of action within the established framework of policies and procedures.
• Ability to learn the geography of the City and surrounding areas.
• Ability to maintain composure under emergency situations.
• Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.
• Skills in the care and safe operation of a variety of firearms, impact weapons, and chemical agents.
• Skills in the operation of motorized vehicles under adverse conditions.
• Ability to work shift work.
• Ability to develop a working knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to learn and adapt to changing technologies and practices.
• Must possess ability to exercise discretion.

• Involves the regular, and at times sustained, performance of heavier physical tasks such as walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, working in confined spaces, and lifting or carrying moderately heavy (20-50 pounds) items and occasionally very heavy (100 pounds or over) items.

• Task requires that work be performed in adverse environmental conditions.

• Task requires color perception and discrimination with no impairment.
• Task requires sound perception and discrimination.
• Task requires odor perception and discrimination.
• Task requires depth perception and discrimination.
• Task requires texture perception and discrimination.
• Task requires visual perception and discrimination in each eye correctable to 20/20.
• Task requires oral communication ability.

Salary : $71,436 - $91,356