Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.
Job Category:
University Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Police Sergeant
Job Summary:
The primary responsibility of the Police Sergeant is to serve as the departments first line of supervision. This position is under the general supervision of a Police Lieutenant, Police Captain, or Director, and is responsible for the safety and security, on all University properties, of all staff, students and the general public.
Police Sergeants are assigned to an operational area of the Department. Operational areas may include patrol and security services, personnel and human resources, special events, investigations, training, emergency management, access control and infrastructure security. Operational areas may change depending on changes in organization structure and/or operational focus. Each Police Sergeant is expected to be able to learn whichever operational area assigned as well as how that area interacts and impacts other operational areas.
This Police Sergeant position has the responsibility for providing supervisory reports regarding services; ensuring compliance with mandates; leading, managing and supervising any personnel assigned; establishing goals; creating and communicating written directives and guidelines; creating and engaging and inclusive work environment; responding to and managing incidents, events and emergencies; providing leadership department-wide; planning and preparation for incidents, events and emergencies; building relationships with staff, key partners, other entities and the community.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Schedules logistics and resources to protection of life, property, and the preservation of peace and good order; and provides emergency aid to the institutional community
- Provides leadership, mentoring and coaching to unit staff
- May exercise 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 FTE or equivalent employees
- Engages in problem solving, threat assessment/mitigation and conflict resolution for a wide range of issues and incidents involving citizens, groups, campus entities, government agencies, businesses, leaders, and others
- Develops and communicates directives to staff and monitors compliance with rules and regulations
Department:
UW-Madison Police Department
Compensation:
Minimum $54.00 HOURLY
Depending on Qualifications
Night & Weekend Differential: UWPD offers a $2.50/hr. night differential for all hours worked between 6:00pm - 6:00am and a $2.00/hr weekend differential for all hours worked between 12:01am - 12:00am on Saturday and Sunday. These differentials are layered, so when working a weekend night, you will receive both.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department (UWPD) is committed to attracting, retaining, and rewarding a highly qualified workforce by supporting competitive and equitable compensation practices through a job framework, salary structure, and clear and flexible salary administrative guidelines.
Qualifications and experience are factors considered for pay above the minimum wage posted within the salary grade 24 (salary details: https://hr.wisc.edu/pay/salary-structure/).
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department participates in the State of Wisconsin excellent benefit program that includes the following:
Comprehensive health insurance and prescription coverage
Supplemental dental and vision insurance
Life and disability insurance
Accident coverage
Income continuation insurance (short and long term disability)
Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts
Coverage under the Wisconsin Retirement System (employer matching)
403(b) and 457(b) Supplemental Retirement Accounts
Education Tuition Reimbursement
Paid Trainings
Generous paid leave:
Other Incentives:
Required Qualifications:
Minimum of 4 years of full-time experience as a sworn law enforcement officer.
Current Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification or have been Wisconsin Law Enforcement certified within the past two years and eligible for immediate recertification as a Law Enforcement Officer in Wisconsin.
This position requires a valid Wisconsin Driver's License with a minimum of 2 years driving experience and also meets UW Risk Management Standards.
Candidates must pass the initial application screening, all steps of the hiring process, an extensive background investigation including past employment, reference checks, social media check, credit history, drug screen, and medical and psychological examination prior to beginning employment.
Applicants not meeting these criteria will not be considered
Preferred Qualifications:
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree Preferred
How to Apply:
Please click on the "Apply" button to start the application process. As part of the application process, you will be required to upload your cover letter and resume into Workday.
In your cover letter include the following:
Describe your experience with community problem solving initiatives.
Describe your knowledge of the incident command system and ability to take command of an incident as a first responder.
Describe your experience with training and mentoring staff.
Describe your training and experience in effective leadership and human relations.
Describe your work experience at a higher education institution working in a sworn law enforcement capacity.
The final interview is tentatively scheduled for May 7, 2026. The tentative start date is set for end of June 2026.
Contact Information:
Marie Gould
608-400-9764
careers@uwpd.wisc.edu
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.