Milwaukee seeks experienced police officers; $10K signing bonus offered

MILWAUKEE - The City of Milwaukee is seeking experienced law enforcement officers to join the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). Officers hired through this recruitment effort are eligible to receive a $10,000 sign-on bonus. 

"We want quantity, but we also want high quality officers," said Lee Todd, executive director of the Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission. "With COVID, it became more difficult to police. There was an increase in crime, particularly violent crime and homicides, gun crimes."

Milwaukee Police Department

A news release says qualified candidates must have at least one year of law enforcement experience post academy, and be at least 20 years old at the time of application and 21 at the time of appointment.  

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You must act fast. The deadline to apply is Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. 

In 2018, the Milwaukee Police Department had roughly 1,900 sworn officers. Now, there are roughly 1,600.

"I would say it’s become a more challenging recruitment and hiring environment for police officers," Todd said. 

While the idea of this new signing bonus has the backing of the Milwaukee Common Council, not all alders were in support of the idea. 

"These numbers are completely arbitrary," said Alderwoman Marina Demitrijevic. "It’s just not something at this time that I am willing to support."

But the effort already has the attention of some officers.

"As of (Tuesday), we had 37 applicants," Todd said. 

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For more information on the position and selection process, you are encouraged to visit the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission’s website or text questions to 414-519-6190. Interested applicants can apply online at joinmkepd.com/laterals.