Skip to main content

Police Chief

Onalaska Police Dept

Agency City
Onalaska
,
Agency State
Wisconsin

Reason for Announcement:

Applications are now being accepted to
Fill vacancy
Type of Opening
Full-Time

Responsibilities:

Position Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions: • Oversees all activities of the department for adherence to established policies and work methods. • Plans, reviews, and coordinates departmental activities with the Mayor, City Administrator, Department Heads, the Police and Fire Commission, and other appointed and elected officials. • Performs or directs the performance of tasks related to fiscal, personnel, property, and records management and other administrative tasks. • Supervises the day-to-day activities of the police department officers and staff; evaluates, monitors and approves police department policies, procedures and programs, such as the Unmanned Aerial System Program, Peer Support Team, K9 Program, etc. • Develops and projects a good public image of the department and its employees with the general public, other law enforcement agencies, governmental officials, and the news media. • Coordinates departmental activities with other governmental agencies in the apprehension of felons, improvement of police services, and the solving of criminal cases. • Responsible for the recruitment and retention of police personnel; evaluates personnel, administers discipline and grievance processes within the Police Department. • Assigns subordinate staff members to various positions within the department to utilize their areas of expertise and promote career development. • Prepares, reviews, approves, and submits police department annual operating budget for consideration by the Mayor and Common Council. Purchases supplies & equipment, acquires quotes, processes requisitions/purchase orders, processes account receivables & account payables. • Supervises expenditures of departmental appropriations by other department members. • Develops rules of conduct, policies, mission statements, goals and objectives and work procedures to be followed by members of the department based on trends in city government, law enforcement requirements, and city growth patterns. • Attends meetings of the City Common Council, as well as meetings of the Police and Fire Commission and other committees of jurisdiction. • Represents the police department at meetings and hearings conducted by other governmental bodies and agencies on matters directly related to the department's operations; provides liaison with other organizations and groups on matters related to the department's operations. • Coordinates and actively participates in Community Policing programs, special events, and department fundraisers. • Develops and annually reviews the department's long-range plan for capital improvements, including the acquisition of capital equipment and fiscal requirements associated with such a plan. • Monitors the planning, organization, conduct and evaluation of departmental training activities of personnel; reviews programs of instruction designed to equip department personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to perform the tasks they are assigned. • Serves as Assistant City Emergency Management Director; assists the Fire Chief with planning, organization, and conducting of activities related to the provision of emergency services and disaster management, including readiness planning; in the Fire Chief’s absence serves as the Director. • Manages I.T. related needs within the department.

Salary:

Salary Minimum
$112,565.00
-
Salary Maximum
$147,646.00
per
Salary Type
Year
Dependent on Qualifications
Dependent On Qualifications

Benefits:

Benefits
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Dental
  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Paid Holidays
  • Sick Leave
  • Vacation
  • Wisconsin Retirement Fund
Other Benefits
  • Take home squad car
  • See City of Onalaska website for additional voluntary benefits
  • Employees receive four (4) personal days – (2) on January 1st and (2) on July 1st each year to be used within the calendar year.
Number of Paid Holidays
9

Qualifications:

Qualifications
  • Ability to handle several tasks simultaneously
  • Ability to perform essential functions of this position
  • Ability to possess a firearm
  • Ability to use all standard law enforcement equipment
  • Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays
  • Clear and concise speech
  • Driver's license
  • Eligibility for Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board Certification
  • Good driving record
  • Good physical condition
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Knowledge and skills in operating computer systems
  • No domestic abuse convictions
  • No felony convictions
  • Previous experience
  • React quickly and effectively to stressful situations
  • Supervisory/Management Experience
  • U.S. citizen
  • Vision correctable to 20/20
Other Qualifications
  • Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the police service, including five (5) years of supervisory experience and five (5) years’ experience in emergency management; or equivalent combination of work experience.
  • Certified or the ability to be certified as a law enforcement officer by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Training Standards Board within one year of employment.
  • Establish and maintain residence at a distance not greater than 15 miles from the nearest corporate boundary of the City, per ordinance.

Education Requirements:

Education Requirements
High school diploma
60 college credits / Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Additional Education Information
Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or a closely related field; or equivalent combination of experience from an accredited college or university in addition to extensive law enforcement experience in police supervision, administration, or a related field. Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field is desired; related course work at the FBI National Academy, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, or Executive Development Institute Program (State of Wisconsin program) is preferred.

Notes:

Notes
  • Background Check
  • Drug Screening
  • Medical Examination
  • Oral Interviews
  • Psychological Examination
  • Residency Required
  • Vision Examination
Other Notes
  • To be considered for this excellent opportunity, submit an online employment application by accessing https://onalaskawi.gov/jobs by February 22, 2026.
Affirmative Action (AA)
American Disability Act (ADA)
Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)
Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

How to Apply:

Contact Information:

Application Contact Name
JoAnn Kinstler
Application Contact Title
Human Resource Generalist
Application Contact Agency
City of Onalaska
Application Contact Address

415 Main St.
Onalaska, WI 54650
United States

Phone
Application Contact Phone
(608) 781-9530
Email
Application Contact Email
jkinstler@onalaskawi.gov

Apply By:

Application Deadline

Submit:

Application Requirements
Resume
Agency Application
Police Officer
Melrose Police Dept - Part-Time
Police Officer
Grafton Police Dept - Full-Time
Police Officer
Grand Chute Police Dept - Full-Time
Police Officer
Evansville Police Dept - Full-Time
Jail/Corrections Officer
Dodge County Sheriff's Office - Full-Time

Recent Job Postings

Police Chief
Edgar Police Dept - Full-Time
Police Officer
Balsam Lake - Centuria Police Dept - Full-Time
Police Officer
Kewaskum Police Dept - Full-Time
Police Officer
Webster Police Dept - Full-Time
Police Officer
UW - La Crosse Police Dept - Full-Time
View All Employment Opportunities