The UW-Madison Police Department (UWPD) is hiring experienced law enforcement officers and those new to the profession but have already completed the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Academy and are eligible for certification. An eligibility list will be established for select qualified candidates who are not selected for hire at this time.
Experienced or certifiable officers will be taking part in a one-day accelerated hiring event. If you are a certified Police Officer and you are open to exploring a new opportunity this is for you! You will experience a single interview writing exercise and job simulation. We will also offer a department tour and the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the department during an informational panel.
UWPD Police Officers may be eligible to apply for specialty positions including K9 handler Community Officer Evidence Technician Honor Guard Motorcycle Officer Dignitary Protection Team multiple instructor opportunities Police Training Officer Athletic Liaison Upham Woods Boat Patrol Bike Unit Mounted Unit Drone Team and many more opportunities.
UW-Madison Police Department employees will support the departments vision and mission by operating in a fair unbiased manner which respects the rights safety and dignity of all individuals. As a department employee your everyday actions will be guided by the departments values and be grounded in the highest ethical and professional standards. UW-Madison Police Department employees are expected to take an active role in creating and maintaining a positive welcoming and inclusive work environment. Employees will assist or participate on an as-needed basis with the departments recruiting and hiring efforts and the onboarding of new employees in the work unit. Department employees are expected to work in partnership with the campus and area communities to provide leadership in solving community problems preventing crime and providing a safe environment to fulfill the mission of the University.
Required to work special events or assignments as designated by the Department.
UW-Madison Police Department
Police Officer salary range: $34.00 - $44.00 (depending on qualifications)
Hiring Bonus: UWPD is offering a hiring bonus to all certified Police Officer hires! Hiring bonuses range from $5000 - $15000 based upon years of law enforcement experience and percentage of starting salary. Payments are paid in 2 installments (1st after 30 days of employment and 2nd after completion of training).
Night & Weekend Differential: UWPD offers a $2.50/hr night differential for all hours worked between 6:00pm - 6:00am and a $2.00/hr weekend differential for all hours worked between 12:01am - 12:00am on Saturday and Sunday. These differentials are layered so when working a weekend night you will receive both.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department is committed to attracting retaining and rewarding a highly qualified workforce by supporting competitive and equitable compensation practices through a job framework salary structure and clear and flexible salary administrative guidelines.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department participates in the State of Wisconsin excellent benefit program that includes the following:
Comprehensive health insurance and prescription coverage
Supplemental dental and vision insurance
Life and disability insurance
Accident coverage
Income continuation insurance (short and long term disability)
Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
Coverage under the Wisconsin Retirement System (employer matching)
403(b) and 457(b) Supplemental Retirement Accounts
Education Tuition Reimbursement
Paid Trainings
Generous paid leave:
Vacation benefits that increase over time
Nine paid legal holidays
Paid personal holidays
Paid sick leave
6 weeks Paid Parental Leave
Other Incentives:
On duty paid workouts
Department provided physical therapy
Fitness room
Financial wellness workshops
Group fitness activities
Previous protective service experience (within the last three years) or successful completion of the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Academy is required for this hiring process. Current Law Enforcement Officers from other states are also eligible to apply for this process.
Law Enforcement Academy Certification Required.
You are required to have a minimum of 60 college credits as required by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
This position requires a valid Wisconsin Drivers License with a minimum of 2 years driving experience and also meets UW Risk Management Standards.
Candidates must pass the initial application screening all steps of the hiring process an extensive background investigation including past employment reference checks social media check credit history drug screen and medical and psychological examination prior to beginning employment.
H.S. Diploma
You are required to have a minimum of 60 college credits as required by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Please click on the Apply button to start the application process. As part of the application process you will be required to upload your cover letter and resume into Workday.
Applications received from 12/1 1/4 will be considered for the One Day Hiring Event on 1/14/26 with a tentative start date in early March 2026.
Applications received from 1/5 1/26 will be considered for the One Day Hiring Event on 2/5/26 with a tentative start date of late March 2026.
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Diversity is a source of strength creativity and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity culture background experience status abilities and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching research outreach and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students faculty and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to including but not limited to race color religion sex sexual orientation national origin age pregnancy disability or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g. application interview pre-employment testing etc.) please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
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