Police Chief

City of Onalaska Employment Opportunity

Police Chief – Police Department

The City of Onalaska is seeking to hire a Police Chief. Under the direction of the Mayor, this position oversees all Police Department operations. This position holds the highest-level management position within the Police Department and is ultimately responsible for the complete control, operation, and representation of the City's Police Department and its employees. The Chief is responsible for managing the physical facilities and equipment; supervising departmental activities; formulating and enforcing department rules of conduct and policies; coordinating departmental activities with outside agencies; preparing and justifying departmental budgets; making recommendations for hiring, promotions, commendations, and discipline; setting individual and departmental goals and objectives; and making major changes in procedures and organization.  The Chief also provides information to the Common Council, business groups, service organizations, special committees, and representing both the City, and the department to the general public, governmental agencies, news media, etc. This position is appointed by the Police and Fire Commission and supervises all employees hired by the Police and Fire Commission to serve as employees of the Onalaska Police Department.

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.

Job Requirements: 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.  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.  Pass annual firearms qualifications tests conducted at designated gun range as well as any other required law enforcement officer certifications required by the State of Wisconsin. Valid Driver’s License with good driving record. Establish and maintain residence at a distance not greater than 15 miles from the nearest corporate boundary of the City, per ordinance.

Compensation and Benefits: The 2026 annual salary range for this exempt position is $112,565 (step 1) through $147,646 (step 11). Starting salary depending on qualifications. Eligible for annual wage advancement upon approval.

The City offers competitive benefits to include health and dental insurance effective the first of the month following 60 days of employment. For 2026 health insurance, the most affordable area plan offered is the Quartz West Plan with premiums at $225.36 per month for a single plan or $554.72 per month for a family plan. There is no deductible or co-insurance amount for the health insurance plan. Dental insurance is through Delta Dental with premiums paid 100% by the City. The position qualifies for automatic enrollment in the Wisconsin Retirement System (pension plan) providing a lifetime payment once vested and upon eligible retirement. Additionally, the City offers voluntary benefits such as vision, flexible spending, life insurance, disability insurance, deferred compensation, pet insurance, critical illness, cancer, and accident insurance. Paid sick leave, holidays, and vacation. Access to an employee assistance program (EAP). The City of Onalaska is also a qualifying employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Federal Program.

To Apply: To be considered for this excellent opportunity, submit an online employment application by accessing https://onalaskawi.gov/jobs by February 22, 2026.  For additional information please contact:

City of Onalaska Human Resources – City Hall (1^st Floor)

415 Main Street, Onalaska WI  54650

                Phone: 608-781-9530 ext. 260

                Email:  [email protected]

Additional Information: Interviews are anticipated for the week of March 9^th, 2026. Selected candidate subject to background screening, post-offer/pre-employment drug screen/physical and psychological. EOE/Drug Free Workplace.