The Wisconsin State Capitol Police Department is seeking professional, service-driven law enforcement officers to serve as Capitol Police Officers in a unique statewide public safety mission. This position will be based in Madison, WI.

Experienced, certified law enforcement officers are encouraged to apply. This role is well-suited for officers who value professionalism, sound judgment, and leadership; who are ready for a change from routine patrol; and who are motivated by meaningful public service in complex, high-visibility environments. Compensation for experienced officers will be commensurate with years of certified law enforcement experience.

The Wisconsin State Capitol Police is a statewide law enforcement agency responsible for providing police and security services in support of all three branches of Wisconsin state government — Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. This includes protective services for elected officials, security for the Wisconsin State Capitol and other state facilities, and protection of visiting dignitaries, state employees, and the public. 

Workplace culture is important. We treat our staff with dignity and respect, and we prioritize and teach leadership at every level. We invest in training and encourage all officers to attend ongoing professional development training that aligns with their interests and responsibilities – beyond just the required in-services. Our executive leadership team has an open-door policy where your ideas can be heard without the bottlenecks many large agencies experience. 

State Capitol Police offers many opportunities beyond just ‘routine’ patrol work. We specialize in infrastructure security, dignitary protection, special events and civil protests, and we are leaders in statewide air operations. You will have the opportunity to contribute to your experiences in new ways, learn new things, accept new challenges, and work with a team of like-minded professionals.

State Capitol Police is a division of the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA). DOA is an organization that strives to exceed customer expectations by delivering efficient, high-quality state government services. The Department of Administration (DOA) provides direct services to state agency customers and also designs and leads initiatives to make government more innovative and cost-effective. Working at DOA offers you the opportunity to make an impact on the quality of life in Wisconsin.

As the flagship agency of the State of Wisconsin, our core values at Department of Administration are Adaptability, Collaboration, Stewardship, Equity, Service Excellence, and Integrity. Our values make it possible for us to fulfill our mission, with a set of shared principles and practices, and form the bedrock of how we operate, interact, and are seen by colleagues, partners, and other agencies.

This is a reannouncement. If you previously applied to this job posting, you do not need to re-apply to be considered.
 

At Wisconsin State Capitol Police, our officers perform a full range of law enforcement and security duties at Department of Administration owned and leased facilities while serving the citizens of the State of Wisconsin. Officers are responsible for maintaining safety, security, and order in high-profile government environments through proactive patrol, enforcement, and professional engagement with the public.

Duties include conducting patrols, enforcing criminal and traffic laws, enforcing parking statutes, responding to emergencies, providing first aid, preserving and documenting evidence, and preparing reports consistent with professional law enforcement standards.

Starting hourly rate for the Police Officer position (schedule/range 36-63) will be $31.08 per hour for those with less than a year of experience, and up to $45.02 per hour for those with 7+ years of qualifying law enforcement experience. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the Wisconsin State Compensation Plan. A 24-month probationary period is required.

Candidates who are new to state service or who have not held any permanent position with the state within the last five years and are willing to commit to working at the Department of Administration, Division of Capitol Police, for at least one year may be eligible for a sign-on bonus of $3,000! The $3,000 will be paid on the first paycheck!

Positions filled as a bilingual officer (Spanish/English) may be eligible for an up to $1.00 per hour bilingual add-on.

In addition, we offer a competitive benefits package featuring: 

• Substantial leave time including at least 3.5 weeks of paid leave time to start, 9 paid holidays, and 130 hours of sick time that roll over each year.
• Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits (health plan options start at just $49/month for single plans and $122/month for family plans after two months of employment)
• An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
• Well Wisconsin Wellness Program
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their immediate family dependents a variety of tools, resources, and professional consultation services to support their health, goals, and overall well-being
• Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see the total value of our competitive benefits package!
   

Minimum Qualifications to be Hired as a Capitol Police Officer Position

Candidates must:

1. Have a valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.
2. Pass an independent psychological evaluation.
3. Pass a medical examination, vision screening, drug screen and fitness exam. 
4. Pass a comprehensive criminal background check that will be conducted prior to hiring. 
5. Must have the ability to work weekends, holidays, days or nights. 
6. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility form. DOA does not sponsor work visas and is not an eligible OPT (Optional Practical Training) employer for F-1 international students.

To be minimally qualified you must meet at least ONE of the following criteria:

1.       You have completed a police academy and are deemed as certified or certifiable as a Law Enforcement Officer by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board (LESB). 

2.       You are currently enrolled in a police academy in Wisconsin.

3.       You are eligible for a reciprocity waiver from LESB. Those eligible for a reciprocity waiver include:
 

a.       You hold or have held employment as a certified or licensed law enforcement or tribal law enforcement officer in another state or hold or have held military veteran status in a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) as a law enforcement officer (Military Police/Security Forces/ Master at Arms) or hold or have held employment as a federal law enforcement officer. 

b.        Employment must be full-time for a minimum of one-year beyond basic training, fully empowered and paid for all hours worked. The applicant must still hold law enforcement employment or have left law enforcement employment voluntarily with a good record and been out of full-time law enforcement employment for less than three years. 

More information from LESB can be found here: Wisconsin Law Enforcement Hiring and Training Factsheet.

**** Certification as a jail or correctional officer by the Law Enforcement Standards Board does NOT qualify. ****

In addition, a qualified applicant for a bilingual officer position will have the ability to read, write, and speak fluently in Spanish in addition to English.

To apply, click “Apply for Job” to start the application process. Then, you will access your existing account or to create a new account if you don’t have an account. Once you are logged in, click “Apply for Job.” Follow the steps outlined in the application process and submit your application. If you are a certified law enforcement officer, upload a copy of your LESB certification to your Wisc.Jobs account under supporting documentation, as a license/certification. Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section for general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance.

If you are bilingual in Spanish and English, be sure to click the "Add Language Skills" button in the Qualifications>Profile Information step of the application process and indicate your Spanish speaking proficiency level. Those who are selected to fill a bilingual officer position will be tested on their ability to communicate in Spanish and English prior to appointment.

Submitted materials will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the hiring process for available vacancies. 

Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer or voluntary demotion) should complete the application process as described above by the stated deadline.

The State of Wisconsin is committed to providing opportunities to all applicants from all backgrounds. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Any applicants and employees with a disability may request reasonable accommodations.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

For questions about Capitol Police or how to prepare for a career as a Capitol Police Officer, please contact 608-266-8797 and request to speak to a Police Lieutenant. 

All other questions may be directed to Nathan Draeger at nathan2.draeger@wisconsin.gov.

Application materials are due by 11:59 pm on June 21, 2026.