What are the responsibilities and job description for the Police Officer position at City of New Berlin?
About New Berlin
The City of New Berlin Police Department is looking for individuals interested in being part of a community-oriented organization with the mission to protect the lives and property of the people we serve. It is our vision to be regarded as a leader in law enforcement through our commitment to professionalism, training, and community. The members of our department are guided by a set of core values which include human dignity, integrity, community partnerships, and leadership. The City of New Berlin is an AA/ADA/EOE employer.
The Opportunity
With an authorized sworn staff of 70 officers, new officers have an opportunity to learn from experienced field trainers, mentors, or supervisors. New officers will participate in the community, enforce local and state laws, and continue to develop with advanced skills. Upon completion of the probationary period, officers become eligible for specialty assignments to include investigations, tactical enforcement, instructor certifications, canine handler, school resource officer and community service assignments, to name a few. Officers will be provided with the modern tools necessary to accomplish our mission.
The Ideal Candidate
An ideal candidate possesses a high degree of personal integrity, values human dignity, demonstrates excellent communication skills and is a self-motivated, open-minded, service-oriented individual who is ready for a challenging yet rewarding career.
The Hiring Process
Applicants will have an opportunity to share their relevant professional and life experiences during the application process. The application includes several essay questions which help us identify the most qualified candidates. The submitted applications and attachments will be scored based on the candidate's education background, employment history, military experience, essay responses, and other qualifications. A select number of applicants will be invited to participate in a written test and panel interview. Subsequent to the interview, candidates may be requested to participate in an evaluative presentation exercise. Participants will select a topic from an approved list and deliver a 3–5 minute spoken presentation. Following the panel interviews, invitations may be extended to interview with an executive panel. Selected applicants will then undergo a character background investigation.
Following a background investigation, a conditional offer of employment may be extended which will be contingent on passing a drug-screen, medical evaluation, a physical readiness test (entrance standards for recruit candidates), and psychological assessment. The New Berlin Police and Fire Commission will interview all candidates that make it through the final stages of the hiring process. The New Berlin Police and Fire Commission will place acceptable candidates on a certified eligibility list. The City of New Berlin Police Department is looking for individuals interested in being part of a community-oriented organization with the mission to protect the lives and property of the people we serve. It is our vision to be regarded as a leader in law enforcement through our commitment to professionalism, training, and community. The members of our department are guided by a set of core values which include human dignity, integrity, community partnerships, and leadership. The City of New Berlin is an AA/ADA/EOE employer.
The Opportunity
With an authorized sworn staff of 70 officers, new officers have an opportunity to learn from experienced field trainers, mentors, or supervisors. New officers will participate in the community, enforce local and state laws, and continue to develop with advanced skills. Upon completion of the probationary period, officers become eligible for specialty assignments to include investigations, tactical enforcement, instructor certifications, canine handler, school resource officer and community service assignments, to name a few. Officers will be provided with the modern tools necessary to accomplish our mission.
The Ideal Candidate
An ideal candidate possesses a high degree of personal integrity, values human dignity, demonstrates excellent communication skills and is a self-motivated, open-minded, service-oriented individual who is ready for a challenging yet rewarding career.
The Hiring Process
Applicants will have an opportunity to share their relevant professional and life experiences during the application process. The application includes several essay questions which help us identify the most qualified candidates. The submitted applications and attachments will be scored based on the candidate's education background, employment history, military experience, essay responses, and other qualifications. A select number of applicants will be invited to participate in a written test and panel interview. Subsequent to the interview, candidates may be requested to participate in an evaluative presentation exercise. Participants will select a topic from an approved list and deliver a 3–5 minute spoken presentation. Following the panel interviews, invitations may be extended to interview with an executive panel. Selected applicants will then undergo a character background investigation.
Lateral Transfer Program
Although prior law enforcement experience is not required, the City of New Berlin cooperatively worked with the New Berlin Professional Police Association to contractually agree on a lateral hire program. Under this agreement, any sworn officer from Wisconsin or any sworn officer from another state who passes the reciprocity test, may receive a starting annual salary and a vacation allowance commensurate with their years of experience as a sworn law enforcement officer. Lateral hires will also receive 82.5 hours of sick leave upon hire. Beyond those contractual agreements, lateral hires will be required to comply with the same processes as other new hires. Lateral hires will be required to pass the physical readiness test exit standards.
When completing the application for our department, read the directions carefully. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications will be valid for one year from the date submitted. If your qualifications change within the year of submittal, such as graduating from college or the recruit academy, please contact the department. Applicants who have been eliminated at any point during the hiring process are not eligible to re-apply for one year from the date they are notified of the elimination.
Be sure to follow these additional instructions:
- The entire application must be filled out completely and truthfully. Any misrepresentations, falsifications, or deliberate omissions may be cause for elimination.
- The online application process will be used to submit an application and the requested attachments.
- Please have the following documents ready to attach before you begin the online application:
- Cover letter explaining why you want to be a New Berlin Police Officer.
- Resume.
- Prior to filling out the essay questions at the end of the application, please read these helpful hints.
Testing and interviews will take place between August 25th and September 25th, 2026. Exact dates and times will be provided after application closing date.
- Takes action and enforces city ordinances, state statutes, and federal laws through the appropriate application of arrest, search, and seizure.
- Provides public safety through multiple proactive approaches.
- Conducts preliminary investigations by protecting the crime scene, processing for evidence, and interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects.
- Engages in positive, clear, and concise verbal communications with individuals when providing directions, collecting information, advising of rights and processes, or mediating disputes.
- Communicates in writing by preparing reports and records of activity with strong skills in organization, grammar, and spelling.
- Reviews/analyzes police-related reports and other relevant data in order to maintain a high degree of knowledge in criminal activity and/or other social concerns of interest to the police department.
- Makes necessary referrals and provides testimony when required.
- Provides first-responder emergency medical services through the use and application of first aid, CPR, and other trained medical skills.
- Performs other duties as assigned by supervisors which require the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a police officer. These duties may include, but not limited to; traffic enforcement, training in various police tactics and procedures, and desk officer duties.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques associated with preliminary investigations and other required police work.
- Knowledge in departmental directives and procedures.
- Knowledge in federal, state, local laws and ordinances.
- Knowledge and experience in the regular use of maps, software programs, and technical equipment such as computers, cameras, speed detection units, and other professional equipment.
- Skilled in the use/operation of police radios, motor vehicles, firearms and other weapons, ballistic protection, handcuffs and restraint devices, and any other required equipment.
- Skilled in the physical strength, agility, and endurance required for protection of self and others, the control and apprehension of resisting individuals, and the required use of police equipment.
- Ability to function for extended periods of time without breaks.
- Ability to critically think to identify and analyze problems, evaluate alternate solutions, and make sound decisions based on inferences or limited information.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with a variety of people.
- Ability to maintain a professional demeanor when faced with verbal opposition, physical threats, and stressful situations.
- Ability to effectively perform multiple essential functions during the same incident.
- Ability to render credible testimony in a court of law.
- Ability to recall details of persons and situations from memory.
- Meet the minimum requirements as established by the Law Enforcement Standards Board.
- Ability to become certifiable as a Wisconsin law enforcement officer.
- Be a citizen of the United States at the time of appointment.
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment.
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Possess an Associate Degree at the time of appointment from a post-secondary educational institution or a minimum of 60 college level credits from an accredited institution acknowledged by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services: https://www.naces.org/members
- Possess a valid Wisconsin Driver's License at time of appointment.
- Be able to speak, read, comprehend and write using the English language.
- Possess an acceptable personal and professional history of good character as determined through a complete background investigation.
- Must not have been convicted of any federal felony or any offense which if committed in Wisconsin could be punished as a felony unless the applicant has been granted an absolute and unconditional pardon.
- Must not have been convicted of any misdemeanor crime of domestic violence unless the applicant has been granted an absolute and unconditional pardon.
- Task involves medium work.
- Must be able to stand, walk, and drive for extended hours in a day.
- Ability to run in short and / or long bursts.
- Lifting up to 100 lbs. or more.
- Carrying up to 25 lbs. frequently, and 50 lbs. occasionally.
- Push, pull, or drag up to 170 lbs. occasionally.
- Regularly required to climb, jump, bend, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach.
- Requires repetitive motion of the wrists, hands, and / or fingers to grasp, feel, pinch, and type.
- Occasionally exposed to extreme heat and cold, especially during prolonged, dynamic, and/or rapidly evolving situations.
- Occasionally exposed to noise.
- Frequently exposed to other hazards such as moving vehicles.
Sensory Requirements
- The task requires close visual acuity to perform various activities.
- The task requires oral communications ability.
- The task requires sound perception.