Newly minted Criminal Justice & Criminology grads from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee are getting something most police applicants only dream of: a streamlined route into the Milwaukee Police Department that skips the written exam and jumps straight to the interview table.
Through a new partnership between Milwaukee's Fire and Police Commission and UWM, qualified alumni can use their college transcripts in place of the written police test, automatically receive education preference points, and move directly to the oral interview stage.
How the fast track works
To use the shortcut, applicants must still file an online application for the current Police Officer recruitment. After that, eligible UWM Criminal Justice grads email their official or unofficial transcripts to the Fire and Police Commission, attention HR analyst Jordan Hendry, with the subject line “UWM Partnership Transcripts.”
Transcripts have to land within 30 days of the application date. Those who clear the required selection steps are then placed on an eligible list for Police Officer, according to the Fire and Police Commission.
Why the timing matters
City leaders have been blunt about the need to rebuild Milwaukee police ranks after years of hiring struggles. Recruitment efforts and new incentives are aimed at drawing in more candidates and broadening who sees themselves in uniform, as reported by WISN.
On top of that, the city has accepted a federal COPS Hiring Program grant designed to add 50 officers this year, a boost city officials say will go hand in hand with local recruiting pushes, per UWM Post.
What graduates should know
For recent and soon-to-be grads eyeing the fast track, the fine print matters. Transcripts must clearly show Criminal Justice coursework and must be sent within the 30-day window. Questions are directed to Fire and Police Commission HR analyst Jordan Hendry at the contact information listed in the official announcement.
Education preference points are applied according to state law and Fire and Police Commission rules, which can affect where an applicant lands on the eligible list, as outlined by the Fire and Police Commission.
Local pipeline and university role
UWM's Criminal Justice & Criminology program already leans heavily into real-world experience, with field placements, internships and coursework tailored for policing and justice careers, according to UWM. That made the campus a natural hunting ground for local law enforcement talent.
In its announcement, the Milwaukee Police Department described the partnership as reflecting a shared commitment to support UW–Milwaukee students while strengthening the pipeline between local, community-minded graduates and the department, per the agency's social media post.
Officials frame the effort as a way to widen the pool of applicants with roots in the community while trimming some of the more bureaucratic steps for those who have already put in the academic work. Prospective candidates are urged to study the announcement closely and ensure their applications and transcripts hit all the stated requirements and deadlines.
