What are the responsibilities and job description for the DETECTIVE position at City of Milwaukee?
Recruitment #2508-2309-001
Essential Functions
- Conduct crime scene investigations.
- Collect and preserve physical evidence.
- Plan and conduct case management activities.
- Interview witnesses and victims.
- Surveil, apprehend and interrogate suspects.
- Collaborate and communicate with other department personnel.
- Obtain warrants and assist the District Attorney.
- Prepare and maintain departmental forms, reports and personal records.
- Perform general law enforcement activities.
- Keep up-to-date and read police-related materials.
- Perform other related duties and responsibilities.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have served continuously as a sworn member of the Milwaukee Police Department for at least three years immediately preceding September 13, 2023.
Continuous service includes:
- Time spent on military leave or duty disability will count toward the actual years of service requirement.
- Police Officers who have had leaves of absence related to physical disabilities, including maternity leave, sick leave, or education leave or leaves which qualify under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- A break in service of 30 cumulative days or less for other non-disciplinary reasons.
- A break in service of 4 cumulative days or less for disciplinary reasons will be considered to have continuous service but must have the required years of actual service.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics
The position of Detective requires the following knowledge, skills, abilities and personal characteristics for successful performance of duties, which will be evaluated in the selection process:
- Knowledge of criminal investigation procedures, interviewing and interrogating techniques, laws and statutes, and rules and procedures.
- Oral and written expression, oral and written comprehension.
- Analytical and interpersonal skills. Judgment and decision making.
- Planning and organizing. Managing resources and directing and coordinating.
- Initiative and the ability to perform effectively under stress.
- Skill and knowledge to abide by and enforce the Department’s Code of Conduct.
Selection Process
APPLICATIONS
Applications are available online only at www.jobaps.com/Mil/jobs/FPC. Applications must be submitted by September 19, 2025. The Commission is not responsible for applications not submitted by the deadline.
EXAMINATION
The examination will consist of the following components:
Written Test
25%
Assessment Center
70%
Seniority
5%
Total
100%
Written Technical Knowledge Test is scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025 at 9 a.m. at the Milwaukee Safety Academy in room 182. An afternoon session will be available IF NEEDED. Qualified candidates who have applied will receive an email notification with additional information regarding the written test.
Applicants must pass the Written Technical Knowledge Test in order to proceed to the Oral Board Examination. Those applicants will be notified at a later date of the date, time, place, and nature of the remaining test components. The eligible list resulting from this examination will remain in effect for two years from the date of adoption, unless exhausted, extended, or rescinded by the Board. Promotion is contingent upon passing a drug screen.
A Reading List and Preparation Guide containing information regarding the Written Test will be made available to applicants for promotion to Detective. Both the reading list and preparation guide will be available on the MPD HR Division SharePoint.
If you will be unavailable for one or more portions of the examination due to military service or training, you may be eligible for a make-up examination pursuant to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). In order to qualify for a make-up examination, you must meet USERRA eligibility requirements, including the requirement to provide advanced written or verbal notification to the Fire and Police Commission. For more information about your rights and responsibilities under USERRA, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor website at www.dol.gov. Contact FPC Human Resources Representative Jordan Hendry at (414) 286-5038, via email at jhendr@milwaukee.gov, via fax at (414) 285-5050, or in person at City Hall Room 705
Additional Information
The labor contract agreement between the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Police Association Local #21 effective January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022 and continuing in effect until otherwise revised includes Appendix L, Memorandum of Understanding which states in pertinent part:
Applicants for Detective who are not on the list of identified employees in the Appendix L Memorandum of Understanding may not be eligible to participate in future promotional processes for the position of Police Lieutenant. Eligibility to participate in an examination is established by the Board when the Promotional Examination Announcement Bulletin is approved.
