Human Resources
Police Officer Recruitment & Selection Process
Applications
The City of Fitchburg accepts applications only when openings are available. Advertisements pertinent to the recruitment process will be placed with the following agencies:
Internal Posting at City Hall duration of recruitment Wilenet duration of recruitment Wisconsin State Job Board duration of recruitment Wisconsin Technical Colleges Internet Job Board duration of recruitment Fitchburg Access Cable Television duration of recruitment City of Fitchburg Website duration of recruitment University of Wisconsin Consortium Website duration of recruitment
Testing
At the end of the application period all candidates, with complete application packets, will be scheduled to take the Entry Level Law Enforcement written exam. This test will be administered and scored by Wisconsin Personnel Partners. The test is scheduled for the second Saturday of February with a make-up date of the following Monday. Eligible candidates will receive written notification of the exam approximately 2 weeks prior to the test date. Test scores are only released to candidates upon their written request.
Evaluation of Test Scores
Following testing, scores will be evaluated at the next regularly scheduled Police and Fire Commission (PFC) meeting (March). Those candidates meeting the approved cut-off will proceed to the next step in the recruitment process. This is generally the top 1/3 of applicants tested.
Panel Interviews
Candidates invited to participate in oral panel interviews. Minimum of 3 panelists, one internal and two external will participate. The same questions will be asked to each candidate. An applicant may ask for panelists to excuse themselves from the interview, should the candidate feel they would not receive a fair evaluation from that panelist. Candidates being invited to the panel interview will be notified in writing of the date and time at which to appear. Interviews will take place between mid-March and Mid-April. All candidates will be notified of their status in the process.
Evaluation of Interview Scores
The PFC will review scores from panel interviews, the highest scoring candidates will be eligible to continue on in the selection process.
Preliminary Background Screen
Those candidates selected for the Chief’s interview will undergo a preliminary background screen. The candidate’s driving record and criminal background will be checked prior to the Chief’s Interview. Those not meeting the acceptable criteria (see minimum qualifications) will be eliminated from consideration at this point.
Personnel Evaluation Profile & Chief’s Interview
In conjunction with the Chief’s interview, candidates will take the Personnel Evaluation Profile, as developed by Personnel Evaluation, Inc. This test evaluates a person’s motivation, ethics, honesty, work habits, etc. This evaluation will be used by the Chief to assist him in making his final recommendation to the PFC.
Conditional Offer
Conditional offers of employment will be made to candidates recommended by the Chief, and approved by the PFC, which successfully pass the comprehensive background. Offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a physical exam, psychological exam, and pre-employment drug screen.