In a move that could redefine the pathway into law enforcement for local criminal justice graduates, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), has announced a new program streamlining the recruitment process. The initiative, which harnesses the expertise of UWM's Criminal Justice and Criminology program, allows qualified graduates to use their academic transcripts instead of taking the standard written examination when applying to MPD.
This innovative endeavor, which was revealed in a social media post by the Milwaukee Police Department, has laid out clear participation requirements. Candidates must submit an online application, email their UWM transcripts, and transcripts need to be sent within a specified timeframe to be considered. This method is aimed at streamlining the entry point for enthusiastic graduates ready to translate their academic expertise into practical law enforcement work with the MPD.
According to the Facebook announcement, this initiative is a testament to the close-knit collaboration among the Fire & Police Commission - MKE, MPD, and UWM. The participants not only bypass the written test but also garner automatic Education Preference Points and move directly to the Oral Interview stage. "To participate, applicants must: ▶️Submit an online application for the current Police Officer position. ▶️Email their official or unofficial UWM Criminal Justice transcripts to the Fire and Police Commission, care of [email protected], using the subject line: “UWM Partnership Transcripts”, as outlined in the post. Candidates interested in the opportunity are invited to explore the job announcement and complete the application through the linked portal.
Reinforcing the idea of homegrown talent contributing to local law enforcement, MPD's partnered approach also aims to enlarge the pool of candidates equipped with up-to-date academic learning and a community-focused mindset. "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to supporting UW-Milwaukee students while strengthening the pipeline between our local, community-minded graduates and the Milwaukee Police Department," the social media post stated. Queries about the process are directed towards FPC HR Analyst Jordan Hendry, with contact details provided to prospective applicants.
Milwaukee has introduced a program that combines academic studies with law enforcement training to prepare students for careers in policing. The program focuses on current criminal justice practices and provides students with a clearer pathway into the profession. Officials say the initiative aims to better equip future officers with both classroom knowledge and practical experience.
