Most of Kenosha has a low crime rate; the only exception is a narrow high-crime ribbon that winds around the city’s outer perimeter. Kenosha’s overall crime rate in 2012 was 251.9 per 100,000 people as compared to the national average of 303.1. The violent crime rate is much lower – 104.1 compared to the average of 214.0. Murders are extremely rare events in Kenosha.
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Under the direction of Chief of Police John W. Morrissey, the 206 sworn officers who work for the Kenosha PD take great pride in protecting the lives and property of the city’s 100,180 citizens (2012) so they can live with a sense of security and well-being.
The skilled officers who serve as criminal investigators use state-of-the-art investigative techniques that result in a high clearance rate.
Becoming a Detective with the Kenosha Police Department
Satisfying the Qualifications – The requirements that must be met in order to be eligible to become an officer, and ultimately a detective, with the Kenosha Police Department are as follows:
- U.S. citizen at least 18 years old
- High school diploma PLUS an Associate’s degree or a minimum of 60 credits from an accredited college or university
- Speak and understand English
- Valid WI driver’s license; clean driving record
- No physical, mental or emotional condition that would adversely affect carrying out an officer’s duties
- Normal hearing and 20/20 vision (corrected OK)
- No felony or domestic violence convictions
- Must live in, or become a resident of, Kenosha, Racine, Oak Creek or South Milwaukee, WI or Lake County, Illinois
Persons whose applications are accepted must successfully pass all of the following:
- Written examination
- Oral panel interview
- Psychological evaluation
- Medical examination
- Drug screening
- Background investigation
- Chief’s Interview*
*The Kenosha Chief of Police personally interviews the top 10 individuals on the eligibility list and makes a job offer to the chosen candidate(s).
Training – All Kenosha Police Department recruits must meet the certification requirements of the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board. The 520-hour basic training camp includes such courses as:
- Unified tactics
- Firearms training
- Emergency vehicle operation
- Defense tactics
- Arrest tactics
- Professional communications
- First aid/CPR
- Criminal law
- Criminal investigation procedures
- Interview strategies
- Interrogation techniques
New officers who successfully complete the training are on probation for 252 days.
How to Apply – The City of Kenosha has an open application process. Online or hard-copy applications are only accepted for current openings. A list of open jobs, online application forms, application profiles and a description o the hiring process are available on the Kenosha Human Relations website.
Applications and detailed information are also available from the Human Relations Department office, 625 52nd Street, Room 205, Kenosha, WI 53140; telephone: 262-653-4130. The completed application form, application profile and all required attachments must be included or the application will not be accepted.
Eligible applications are placed on a list that is drawn from as vacancies occur. The annual starting salary for Kenosha PD officers is $53,928 – $66,972. Benefits include:
- Paid holidays (11)
- Paid sick leave
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Pension
- Tuition aid
- Uniform replacement
Organization and Structure of the Kenosha Police Department
The two division of the Kenosha Police Department are the Patrol Division and the Criminal Investigative Division. The detectives in the criminal investigative division follow up on all reported crimes. They use the latest investigative techniques like advanced surveillance equipment and crime-mapping hardware to achieve a high clearance rate.
The job duties of a criminal investigator with Kenosha Police Department include:
- Evaluate reported crimes
- Examine crime scenes
- Collect and preserve crime scene evidence
- Interview all possible suspects and witnesses
- Make arrests
- Interrogate suspects
- Write reports
- Testify in court