Skip to Content
 

Become a Police Officer

Answer The Call To Serve Your Community

  • $73,188 - $97,575
  • Paid police academy training
  • Many different career advancement opportunities
  • No age cap

Apply Now Learn More

If you have any questions or if you would like to receive text alerts for this or other protective service jobs, text our recruiters at (414) 519-6190 with your full name and the position(s) for which you would like to receive alerts: Police Officer, Firefighter, or Emergency Communications Officer.

 

2027 Recruiting Class Timeline

Timeline subject to change. Eligible candidates will receive email communications from the FPC with updates and required testing components.

Open AllClose All
Class 1: hiring March 2027 (apply June - August 2026)
June - August 2026 Application window
September 2026 Personal history questionnaire, written exam, oral interview
October - November 2026 Physical readiness test
November 2026 - January 2027 Background investigation
November 2026 - January 2027 Pre-employment screening (psychological and medical evaluations)
Late February 2027 Appointment
March 2027 Hire date
Class 2: hiring August 2027 (apply October - December 2026)

Apply Now

October - December 2026 Application window
January 2027 Personal history questionnaire, written exam, oral interview
March 2027 Physical readiness test
March - May 2027 Background investigation
March - May 2027 Pre-employment screening (psychological and medical evaluations)
July 2027 Appointment
August 2027 Hire date
Class 3: hiring December 2027 (apply February - April 2027)
February - April 2027 Application window
May 2027 Personal history questionnaire, written exam, oral interview
June - July 2027 Physical readiness test
July - September 2027 Background investigation
July - September 2027 Pre-employment screening (psychological and medical evaluations)
November 2027 Appointment
December 2027 Hire date

 

Be More Than An Officer

As a Milwaukee Police Officer, you’re not just a law enforcer—you’re a community leader who is responsible for making connections and building trust. Citizens depend on your daily effort, empathy, and commitment to keep Milwaukee safe.

Ready to step up? Learn more about joining the Milwaukee Police Department today.

 

8 Reasons To Choose A Career With MPD

Expand/Collapse

  1. Help people in need every day and make positive changes in your community

  2. Earn a salary of $54,891 as a recruit, $73,188 as a graduate, and up to $97,575 within 5 years

  3. Be reimbursed for tuition and textbooks up to $1,500 per year

  4. Increase your pay by earning educational degrees (NEED NUMBERS)

  5. Pass exams to earn promotions to supervisory and leadership positions like detective, sergeant, and lieutenant

    • Promotional exams are generally offered every two years.

    • e.g. Lieutenants earn up to $117,292

  6. Serve in a variety of roles and specialties

    • e.g. Bomb Squad, Underwater Investigation Unit, Financial Crimes Unit

  7. Receive bonus pay for each hour you serve as an interpreter or translator

  8. Retire with a fully funded, vested pension available after 25 years of service

 

Receive Notifications For Job Openings

To receive email notifications about protective service jobs with the Milwaukee Fire and Police Departments such as Police Officer, Firefighter, or Emergency Communications Officer, please sign up for the Milwaukee E-Notify system and select MFD Career Opportunities and/or MPD Career Opportunities. You can also sign up for alerts for other job opportunities with the City of Milwaukee by using the E-Notify system.

E-Notify

To receive text alerts for these job openings, text our recruiters at (414) 519-6190 with your full name and the position(s) for which you would like to receive alerts: Police Officer, Firefighter, or Emergency Communications Officer.

 

Employee Referral Program

Expand/Collapse

Members of the Union shall be eligible for the Employee Referral Program, as developed by the Department of Employee Relations (DER) and shall be subject to all terms and conditions governing the procedures for administration of the program as developed by DER. Members of the Milwaukee Police Supervisors' Organization (MPSO) as included in the Memorandum of Understanding between the parties dates 05-05-2025, who refer applicants for the position of police officer and lateral transfer police officer may receive either (8) hours of vacation or $500 incentive pay.  The incentive will be received if the referred candidate for police officer/lateral transfer officer is successfully sworn into the Police Academy within twelve (12) months of the referral or when a police aide candidate has successfully completed the Police Aide program.  For general City of Milwaukee employees looking to refer someone please visit the Department of Employee Relations policy page to find out more information.

Referral Form