The posting
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Position Title:
Police Sergeant
Job Category:
University Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Police Sergeant
Job Duties:
Supervises and/or trains line officers, and administers programs for police officers and associated staff to ensure safety and security on all institutional properties. Enforces laws, investigates complaints and incidents, maintains order, identifies criminal activity, and apprehends and arrest offenders.
Under the general supervision of a Police Lieutenant, the UW Oshkosh Police Sergeant is responsible for all aspects of the supervision of patrol officers. The position supervises and trains line officers and administers programs for police officers and associated staff to ensure safety and security on all institutional properties. Enforces laws, investigates complaints and incidents, maintains order, identifies criminal activity, and apprehends and arrests offenders.
UW Oshkosh Police Sergeants are sworn law enforcement professionals (State of Wisconsin LESB certified) who exercise full statutory arrest authority while carrying out the Department’s mission: to serve our community by building relationships, reducing fear, and solving problems – treating every person with the fairness and respect we would want for ourselves, and approaching every interaction as an opportunity to make a positive difference.
A primary responsibility of the Police Sergeant is to supervise and lead subordinate police and security personnel (Community Service Officers) assigned to a shift, work unit, or special event.
Among the duties of a Police Sergeant are the following:
- conduct daily briefings;
- schedule work and oversee the activity of officers;
- plan training; train and evaluate officers;
- approve payroll for employees;
- act to preserve order during times of crisis;
- effectively plan day-to-day work and long-term projects;
- assist the department in maintaining a well-trained, well-equipped work force; educate the public regarding security, safety, and crime prevention issues;
- foster trust and communication with the public, the University community, and other agencies;
- collect data, document, report, investigate, and analyze crime; demonstrate the use of creativity and formal problem-solving methods;
- protect life and property;
- safeguard the rights and dignity of individuals;
- deal ethically with the public and other department employees;
- delegate authority;
- investigate and resolve complaints about department services;
- and serve as a trainer.
The Police Sergeant must frequently perform the same tasks as subordinates. During the University's non-business hours the Police Sergeant is often the highest ranking law enforcement official on campus and is expected to make most decisions without consulting a higher authority. Due to the decision-making nature of the job, the Police Sergeant must be prepared to give immediate assistance to the public by making decisions for the University that may be only vaguely related to law enforcement. The Police Sergeant is under the general supervision of a Police Lieutenant.
Expectations UW Oshkosh Police Sergeants carry out the University’s safety culture. They are expected to:
- Model our values.
- Balance enforcement with empathy, recognizing that every contact is an opportunity to build trust and reduce fear.
- Demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and cultural competency in serving a diverse campus community.
- Uphold the Department’s commitment to being approachable, proactive, and deeply invested in the success and safety of every person on campus.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
- Engages in problem solving, threat assessment and/or conflict resolution for a wide range of issues and incidents which may include citizen complaints against staff, threats, disasters, large scale or complex planned events, or critical incidents which may require use of the Incident command system, campus emergency alerts, and the activation and operation of the campus emergency operation center while fully managing and leading operations during the event, incident or disaster
- Serves as a leadership representative and main point of contact with law enforcement agencies, institutional work units, news media, social services, and special interest groups
- Develops and implements operating policies and procedures that align with the strategic direction and initiatives of the work unit
- Schedules logistics and resources to assist with the protection of life, property, and the preservation of peace and good order; and provides emergency aid to the institutional community
- Identifies, develops, and facilitates unit staff training opportunities
- Directs unit operations and staff and monitors compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations
Department:
University Police Department
Compensation:
Starting at $39.50 commensurate with experience. *(may be eligible for future step increases)*
*Applicants with previous certified sworn law enforcement experience may qualify for lateral transfer, progressing to the pay step that coincides with 75% of their recognized experience.
Recruitment Bonus: Police Sergeants may be eligible for a recruitment bonus! A sign-on bonus of $1,000 will be awarded to eligible employees on the first regularly scheduled paycheck. A bonus of $2,500 will be awarded to eligible employees after successful completion of the new hire probationary period. Competitive Benefits: UW Oshkosh provides a competitive benefits package for all benefit-eligible positions. Click here for more details.
Required Qualifications:
- Associate's Degree or Higher
- Certification, or eligibility for certification upon hire as a law enforcement officer, by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Atleast (2.5) years of full-time experience in a certified law enforcement capacity.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and principles embodied in case law (court decisions and the ability to apply this knowledge with discretion as it pertains to the laws of arrest, search and seizure, collection and preservation of evidence, and use of force).
- Effective written and oral communication skills to communicate, interact with, and be respectful of a community of students, co-workers, faculty/staff, guests, and the general public.
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and principles embodied in case law (court decisions and the ability to apply this knowledge with discretion as it pertains to the laws of arrest, search/seizure, collection and preservation of evidence, and use of force) as well as knowledge of federal and state regulations affecting employee health and welfare.
- Demonstrated knowledge of current investigatory techniques and practices.
- Demonstrated ability to observe and accurately recall facts or details about persons, events, accident or crime scenes, physical conditions, and behaviors of individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to quickly assess situations and rapidly consider various options in choosing a course of action.
- Demonstrated ability to read, comprehend, and execute complex written material and verbal instructions.
- Demonstrated ability to complete multiple tasks under stressful or crisis conditions.
- Experience in basic computer skills including, but not limited to: the use of Microsoft Office programs, TraCs, and various Records Management systems.
- Skilled in the use of enforcement and other types of equipment such as firearms, various enforcement devices, photographic equipment, voice recording equipment, etc...
- Prior customer service experience.
- Previously, or currently certified or trained as an instructor in a law enforcement discipline (DAAT, firearms, EVOC, Taser, ICAT, etc...).
How to Apply:
Applicants must submit the following documents using the online application:
- Cover Letter (optional)
- DJ-LE-330 (with questions)
*Please use your application materials to speak to each of the qualifications for this position as listed above. Be sure to describe your relevant experience and areas of expertise, using specific examples from your work and education history. Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application.
All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process.
Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application, you will not be able to go into the system and change them.
To Ensure Consideration: Applications received by the end of the day on 11/30/2026 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration.
Contact Information: For questions regarding your application and additional options to apply, contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 920-424-1166.
Work Authorization Unless otherwise indicated in the job posting, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. UW Oshkosh is not an e-verify employer; therefore, STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.
Legal Notices:
Reasonable Accommodations
UWO provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact [email protected] or 920-424-1166. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials UWO is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWO will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.
CBC & Reference Check Policy All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWO Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see https://uwosh.edu/police/, or call UWO Police Department, at (920) 424-1212 for a paper copy.
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
