Welcome to La Crosse County — Where Your Work Truly Matters

Every day, our unique teams contribute to our vision of a community that is vibrant, safe, and resilient. Whether you're supporting families, safeguarding natural resources, maintaining infrastructure, or delivering essential services, your work here creates real impact for the people who live, work, and visit our county.

What You’ll Gain by Joining Us

A Future You Can Count On: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), one of the most respected pension programs in the nation.
Reliable, Affordable Coverage: Countywide insurance plans plus growing access to local, no-cost care options for everyday health needs.
Time Off That Works For You: You’ll have two dedicated banks of vacation and sick time, giving you the freedom to plan real downtime when you need it—and the peace of mind to take care of yourself when you’re under the weather.
- Start earning vacation and sick time your very first day
- Bank up to 2× your annual vacation accrual
- Build up to 150 sick days as a full time employee

A Place Where Everyone Belongs

We believe our workforce should reflect the community we serve. We’re committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging—because diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Overview

FLSA: Non-Exempt. This is an entry-level law enforcement position to which employees are selected by the Sheriff pursuant to County merit system procedures. Employees in this class work under close to moderate supervision in performing general duty police work connected with public safety through enforcement of applicable County, State and federal laws and ordinances. Employees in this class often exercise independent judgement in the field within State, local and Federal laws and departmental guidelines, upon receiving appropriate training and experience.

Essential Leadership Functions

Act with Integrity and Build Trust

Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions

Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints

Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives

Drive for Results

Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes

Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results

Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring

Develop Talent and Effective Teams

Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth

Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential

Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team

Lead with Vision and Strategy

Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals

Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives

Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully

Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking

Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives

Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment

Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others

Build and Maintain Effective Relationships

Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization

Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking

Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders

Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service

Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community

Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes

Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization

Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations

Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks

Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others

Essential Job Functions

Patrols highways and designated areas to detect, apprehend and arrest violators of motor vehicle laws and criminal laws; operates traffic enforcement equipment and issues citations. Operates law enforcement vehicle for long periods of time during both day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.

Performs rescue functions at accidents and emergency situations; lifts, drags and carries people away from dangerous situations; provides first aid, orders wreckers and ambulances and aids accident victims, stranded motorists and disabled vehicles.

Directs and escorts traffic when necessary; escorts emergency and other vehicles such as oversize loads, etc. Observes and checks business and other property for unlocked doors or signs of criminal activity.

Investigates accidents or criminal complaints received concerning violations of the law within guidelines of the department; investigates citizen complaints including suspected criminal activity, animal complaints, domestic disturbances, noise; prepares reports and handles related paperwork.

Performs searches of people, vehicles, building and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and people.

Makes arrests and apprehends suspects, effecting the arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints, subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and resort to the use of hands and feet and other approved weapons in self-defense.

Puts on and operates a gas mask in situations where chemical munitions are used.

Protects scenes of crimes and collects and preserves evidence for investigative units; prepares evidence for court hearings and trials pursuant to established procedures; attends court whenever necessary to provide testimony and other evidence.

Conducts video and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.

Extinguishes small fires by using a fire extinguisher and other appropriate means. Assists all Law Enforcement agencies as needed.

Serves civil and criminal processes, including sales upon executions, lawful seizures of goods, garnishments, etc.; makes proper return of all processes served and reports the service made.

Maintains and checks police and personal equipment such as radios, cameras, firearms, handcuffs, uniforms, squad cars and related equipment.

Prepares reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.

Exercises independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest and when force may be used and to what degree.

Effectively communicates with people, including juveniles, by giving information and directions, mediating disputes and advising of rights and processes. Communicates clearly while testifying in courts or other formal settings.

Loads, unloads, aims and fires from a variety of body positions handguns, rifles and other agency firearms under conditions of stress that justify use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.

Reads and comprehends legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits and warrants.

In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.

Follows policies and procedures as established by the Sheriff's Office.

Physical demands: Large percentage of time is driving squad car using near and far vision, color identification, talking, hearing, judgment, while operating police speed detection equipment and radios effectively and coherently. Frequently reads and writes. Walks, stands and bends intermittently throughout the day. A lesser amount of time is spent moving about other sites either walking, running or traversing rough terrain. When pursuing fleeing suspects or assisting at accidents or rescues, involves quickly entering and exiting law enforcement patrol vehicle; lifting, carrying and dragging injured person (weighing up to 160 lbs.); climbing over and pulling up oneself over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven and narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers; stoops, kneels, crouches, crawls, runs, climbs; restrains and controls recalcitrant prisoners. Works various shifts. Occasionally uses judgment while under physical and/or mental stress. There is potential exposure to blood borne pathogens.

Related Job Functions

Deputies may be assigned to special units within the Sheriff's Office or may be assigned to Court Services.

This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

General knowledge of: Federal, State, County and, when applicable, municipal laws, rules and regulations; courtroom procedures and ability to speak effectively in court; the methods and practices employed in the detection and apprehension of criminals.

Working knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes concerning the care, commitment and transportation of prisoners, civil processes, criminal processes, crimes and misdemeanors.

Skill in the use and care of firearms and Defensive Arrest Training Techniques.

Skill in the operation of a patrol car.

Ability to: gather accurate information and to make clear, concise and objective reports; to enforce, explain and interpret State, County and applicable municipal laws, rules and regulations to people clearly and courteously; operate a police radio which requires a well-modulated voice; render first aid after appropriate training; work effectively with the general public, County officials and employees; and to use various computers and programs including Mobile Data.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

Certification: Must have completed the Basic Police Certification Training in Wisconsin within the last three years or already be certified as a Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board.

Education: Requires a minimum of 60 fully accredited college-level credits. Preference for Bachelor's Degree or Associate Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Police Science or Criminal Justice.

Background: Must pass criminal background check suitable for working in law enforcement, which includes no felony convictions and no convictions for domestic abuse. Must pass character background investigation as required by the Wis. Law Enforcement Standards Board which "attests to the applicant's fitness to discharge assigned duties and responsibilities of a law enforcement officer."

Other Requirements: All candidates for this position must pass the oral interviews as established under the County Administrative Code or other County requirements. Must be a citizen of the United States, be a resident of the State of Wisconsin on the date employment is commenced and maintain that residency, have five years of previous driving experience, have and maintain a valid Wisconsin driver's license, and a good driving record. Successful candidates for the position must pass a physical and psychological examination and drug screening.

Equal Opportunity Employer
We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve.

Need an Accommodation?
If you require a disability-related accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, reach out to Human Resources at jobs@lacrossecounty.org — we're here to help.

Ready to Apply?
Submit your application through our online career site. Please double-check your materials before submitting them; complete applications help us move quickly and give every candidate fair consideration.

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