Police Captain

*The pay may increase to $131,019 within the first year if a new Lieutenant position is approved and hired.

About Fitchburg -This is Us!
Situated between our state's capital and rural farmland, the geography of Fitchburg is as diverse as the people we serve. We are one of the fastest growing cities in the state. The City of Fitchburg's location, diversity and its many other assets affords a great deal of opportunity for those interested in a career in community-oriented policing.  Community-orientated policing has long served as the foundation for our department and community engagement remains a top priority.

The Rewards
We offer excellent benefits including Wisconsin Retirement, paid parental leave, bilingual incentive, no deductible health plans, dental, vision, life, accident, income continuation (disability) coverage, Public Student Loan Forgiveness, free gym membership and more!  

About the Role
Under general direction of the Deputy Police Chief, provides managerial oversight to the activities of a division within the Police Department.  The Captain is responsible for organizing and implementing law enforcement programs which comply with Federal, State and local laws and City and Department policies, goals and objectives to ensure the safety of City residents, business owners and visitors.

As a division commander, a Captain has responsibility for over 40 personnel and management of a variety of division specific programs, specialized personnel, equipment, and investigations dependent upon the division assignment.   A Captain is also responsible to work collaboratively with other division commanders to ensure overall service continuity and efficiency.  Captains have significant advisory input on the department budget, staffing and policies.
 

Tentative Recruitment Timeline and Process

Application Deadline: Sunday, June 29, 2025. Applicants should submit a letter of intent and resume explaining their desire to work for the City of Fitchburg and their qualifications. 

Interview Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Written scenario exercise with a panel. Candidates will be given ten (10) minutes to prepare a detailed response prior to meeting with the panel. The candidates will have thirty (30) minutes with the panel to explain their approach to the scenario and may have notes.  The panel will have questions throughout the exercise to challenge the candidates and their approach. 

Chief's panel interview to involve a Portfolio Presentation.

Portfolio Presentation Requirements:
Applicants must prepare a portfolio that demonstrates their interest, abilities and qualifications related to the position. The portfolio should include, at a minimum:

• An overview of their professional work including special assignments, training and education.
• Summary of more than one investigation where they worked with local, state and federal agencies to address the problem.  This should include their work with the District Attorney's Office and the AUSA's Office.
• Summary of a challenge in a neighborhood where they took a problem-oriented approach to resolve the challenge.
• Applicants may include additional content in their portfolio that may demonstrate their interest and/or suitability for this position.

Final Step:
A conditional offer recommendation will be made to the Police & Fire Commission on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The conditional offer is contingent upon passing a full background investigation if the candidate is external. 

Responsibilities:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
 
Essential Functions:
Participates in the work of the senior management team of the department.
 

• Develops and recommends goals and objectives for the assigned division to ensure compliance with Department policies and values, City Council directives, overall department goals and objectives and any applicable local, State or Federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Active in developing, implementing and overseeing the department’s strategic plans.
• Develops, recommends and implements operating policies, procedures and programs to accomplish departmental goals and objectives.
• Reviews division performance to assess goal attainment and measures effectiveness of operations; determines and implements modifications to work methods and/or recommends policy changes, etc.
• Using independent judgment provides supervision and leadership to department personnel under the established span of control and within law enforcement best practices, department expectations, and required expertise of the assigned division.
• Supervises Lieutenants directly and others indirectly.
• Participates in decisions on matters of hiring, transfer, suspension, lay off, recall, promotion, discharge, assignment, recognition, adjusting grievances or disciplining employees under the established span of control.
• Sets goals and objectives for others to work toward and monitors performance.
• Leads unit management in creating and maintaining a positive work environment and fostering effective performance of staff.
• Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and timely formal reviews of performance for assigned employees.
• Encourages employee growth and development by providing or encouraging learning opportunities.
• Assesses staff development needs and directs the provision of staff training.
• Participates in decisions regarding the content of jobs and the number of staff within the functional areas under the established span of control.

 
Participates in management of the department budget.
 

• Provides informed input on matters relating to the annual operating and multi-year capital budgets.
• Analyzes past expenditures, expected needs, future cost projections and sources of funding in order to develop detailed budgets.
• Reviews year-to-date spending reports and monitors performance against plan during the entire budget cycle, making or recommending adjustments as necessary to achieve a desired balance at the end of the cycle.
• Approves expenditures for purposes and amounts that are within the budget and within the authorized approval limits of the job.
• Works to ensure the most cost effective alternatives are identified when planning expenditures.
• Prepares requests for annual funding and presents requests to decision makers for approval.
• Seeks grant funds for department purposes and works with the Deputy Chief and finance department staff to account for grant fund uses.

 
Communicates and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
 

• Represents Police Department at civic functions and/or meetings; discusses issues, coordinates efforts and responds to informational inquiries.
• Responds to citizens, news media, etc. concerns and issues and working collaboratively with the Department and City’s public information communications team, determines appropriate resolutions to maintain positive community relations for the Department and the City.
• Frequently interacts with the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
• Communications include responsibility for maintaining relationships that are key to the function or the city.
• Plans and carries out communications at a level that can impact the morale and performance of a major work unit.
• Participates in various committees and subcommittees as a representative of the Fitchburg Police Department.

 
Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
 

• Knows and follows department policy and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss.
• Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work.
• When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
• Prepares tactical and strategic reports for executive staff, as well as reviews those prepared by subordinate staff regarding policing activities in order to provide public information and/or use by investigators, prosecutors and other parties.
• Oversees the coordination and direction of critical incidents, special events, or major investigations to ensure coordination, safety, and best practice are followed.
• Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

 
Supervisory Requirements:
Lieutenants, Sergeants, Detective Sergeant, Detectives and other positions as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience Requirements:
 

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience including at least two years of supervisory level experience. One year of middle management experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies, including involvement in prosecution processes.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited College/University with major course work in criminal justice, management or related field is preferred.
• Other combination of training and/or experience can be demonstrated as a result in the possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position may also be considered.

 
Licenses, Certifications, etc.
 

• Successful completion of basic two-week law enforcement supervisory school and/or leadership course.
• Must be a certified law enforcement officer with the State of Wisconsin and maintain such certification, including required training or statutory requirements.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record during the course of employment.

 
Necessary Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
 

• Knowledge of the principles of modern police supervision and operations, community policing philosophy, law enforcement best practices, and police administration.
• Knowledge of police supervision, organization, and administration.
• Knowledge of Fitchburg Police Department resources, authority, and responsibility of the department.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of subordinates and to advise, instruct and train personnel.
• Ability to make sound decisions and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal firmly, courteously, and fairly with subordinates, superiors, and the public, and to establish effective working relations with the public.
• Maintains the predictable and unencumbered ability to competently and credibly testify in court or any other quasi-judicial hearing.
• Ability to provide truthful, forthright, and complete information when voluntarily answering questions or providing information or when compelled to answer questions or providing information.
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to make decisions in all types of situations, while exercising sound judgement and problem-solving, particularly during emergency conditions.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to perform basic math skills including functions like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in all units of measurement, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to maintain adequate attendance.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City elected and appointed officials, employees, and the general public.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to attend meetings and other functions during the evening and/or on weekends.

In evaluating candidates for this position, the City may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential duties of this position.

Your unique experiences matter to us, even if they don’t align perfectly with every requirement listed. We recognize that skills come from diverse paths, and we value what makes your journey special. If this role inspires you, we encourage you to apply!