how to become a police officer in Illinois

The information below may have changed, please visit the official webpage of the agency that you are interested for up-to-date details.

When pursing a career in law enforcement one will be placed on the eligibility list after successfully passing all the required steps in the selection process. In some agencies the list expires after one year. However, typically the expiration date is extended for an additional year.

 The application and testing process will probably occur in the Spring or summer months (it’s best to verify the testing date with the agency that you want to work for). If you would like to be placed on the notification list, we recommend that you sign up directly with the law enforcement agency that you are interested in working for.

REQUIREMENTS and QUALIFICATIONS

• U.S. Citizen
• AT LEAST 20 years of age (will not hire until 21st birthday)
• Under the age of 35 when the eligibility list becomes effective
• High school graduate or GED equivalent
• Possess a valid driver’s license with good driving record
• Some require that you reside within the City limits of the Illinois agency that you are interested in (within 15 months of date of appointment)

  General statement of duties
  Performs general duty police work in protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and investigation of crimes; does related work as required.

  Distinguishing features of the class
  The work of this class involves responsibility for the protection of life and property, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals and the general enforcement of laws and ordinances in a designated area on an assigned shift or on special assignments. Duties normally consist of routine patrol, preliminary investigation, and traffic regulation which may be performed in cruiser cars or on foot.

Police Patrol Officers also may be assigned duties as detective, youth counselors, evidence technicians, jailers, or police dispatchers. The work involves an element of personal danger and the employee must be able to act without direct supervision and to exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies. Assignments may include work at headquarters on special tasks which call upon specialized abilities and knowledge. Work assignments are general and special instructions are received from a superior officer who revises work methods and results through reports, personal inspection and discussion.

Examples of work for a police officer:

• Patrols city streets, roads and public places, either on foot or in an automobile in a designated area
• Identifies violations of laws and ordinances
• Assists in the prevention of juvenile delinquency by consulting, interviewing, and advising public school counseling departments, parents and juveniles
• Prevents, calms and/or resolves criminal or emergency situations from occurring
• Becomes and remains familiar with patrol areas, known offenders and their meeting places, community routines, and other potential problem areas
• Identifies potential security problems either to personal safety or property, and then informs and recommends improvements to the appropriate person or official
• Ascertains all facts available at the crime/accident scene by taking statements, conducting interviews and/or interrogation of victims, witnesses, suspects and other persons
• Conducts preliminary and follow-up investigations of all pending matters
• Identifies, collects, processes, properly stores and logs physical evidence
• Searches persons, vehicles, places and other items
• Enforces city ordinances and state and federal laws by identifying and arresting offenders which may include physically subduing resistant violators
• Processes prisoners by fingerprinting, photographing, safeguarding and preparing bond records
• Assists attorneys by documenting cases for court representation and offering testimony in court, at coroner’s inquests, at dispositions and other pertinent proceedings
• Enforces motor vehicle and parking regulations on streets and roads
• Directs traffic and enforces speed limits
• Investigates automobile accidents, interviewing witnesses, gathering information, locating and identifying hit and run vehicles, and making detailed reports
• Investigates juvenile cases and maintains records on juvenile cases including follow-up investigations and making recommendations to the disposition of cases
• Observes for, recognizes, corrects and/or reports public hazards and other safety hazards
• Responds to requests for ambulance/fire service and assists as needed including performing basic life-saving techniques
• Administers first-aid, including CPR, to sick and injured persons
• Operates police radio communications system and dispatches cars where needed and performs other related duties
• Issues citations, makes arrests, and takes prisoners to jail
• Gives information and public relations speeches to school children for neighborhood watch programs and other interested persons
• Identifies and arbitrates community conflicts and programs and assists in developing community relations programs
• Participates in the guidance, training and orientation of new officers and officers in training
• Attends regular training classes in police methods, first-aid, target practice and other related duties
• Prepares and develops special reports and documents as requested

Required knowledge, skills and abilities

• Some working knowledge of the street layout and population pattern of the city;
• some working knowledge of the common laws covering traffic and general behavior;
• ability to react quickly and calmly to emergency police situations; ability to drive an automobile safely and efficiently;
• excellent physical condition;
• ability to pay close attention to audio and visual detail to identify violators and accurately describe crime scenes;
• ability to exercise good judgment to identify violations of the law and handle difficult situations;
• ability to operate vehicles safely for long periods of time and to patrol assigned areas;
• ability to document information accurately;
• ability to analyze and interpret information to determine nature of the complaint and/or violation;
• ability to physically subdue resistant violators;
• ability to effectively manage stressful situations;
• ability to perform emergency life-saving techniques safely;
• ability to document results of investigation to provide accurate descriptions of events;
• ability to proficiently use firearms;
• ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as climbing stairs and/or ladders,
• chasing fleeing suspects, lifting and carrying injured persons, etc.

Acceptable experience and training

• Completion of a standard high school course,
• preferably supplemented by some college level work, and meeting the age, and other physical requirements prescribed by the city/county that you are interested at the time of examination; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Listed below is a brief summary of compensation around the state
  average salary is around 50k+ however visit the agency that you are interested in working for.

BENEFITS:

All uniforms/equipment provided
Voluntary tuition reimbursement program for approved coursework

* prescription plan
*Life insurance coverage 
*sick days annually (accumulative)
*Comprehensive health and dental plans covering employee & dependents 
*1-2 weeks vacation 
*paid holidays

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Does departments in Illinois accept lateral transfers/moves?
Yes. Many agencies have what they call a modified academy for police officers with (2+ years ) of law enforcement experience.

When will they hold the next testing date?
You’ll have to check with the agency you are interested in working for, but usually bigger agencies test more often than smaller ones.

How does the hiring process work?
Some agencies hire off an eligibility list that is compiled months prior. All interested candidates are asked to submit a lengthy application during which time they are given a list of dates for the various tests that will take place.

first test scheduled is the written. All persons that do not pass this test are eliminated from candidacy at that point. All persons that do pass the test are assigned dates for the oral and physical agility tests. The combined scores from these three tests are then ranked.

The person that receives the best combined score is ranked highest. When an opening becomes available in the department, created through retirements, resignations and expansion, the eligibility list is reviewed by the Fire and Police Board. They then review candidates’ applications, and determine whether to hire the next eligible candidate on the list.

What is your physical agility test comprised of?
The test is conducted by the agency itself or by an independent testing company. Although it is likely to change, the last test conducted required candidates to listen to a suspect description, climb over a fence, run up and down bleachers, climb under obstacles, run around obstacles, pick out the mannequin that best meets the earlier description, and drag a 170 lb dummy twenty-five feet.

How many people, on average, make the final eligibility list?
call the recruiter of the agency

How many people, on average, actually get hired before the list expires?
call your recruiter

Do I have to have a degree?
Yes and No. some agencies want education beyond a high school degree, while other don’t require it. Most however do require a minimum education level of a high school diploma or GED for all patrol officers.

Would a major in criminal justice better my chances?
It could be an advantage when completing the written test, but no extra points are given to anyone that holds a law enforcement degree.

I have previously completed a certified police academy. If hired, would I have to repeat this training?
Usually No, but please check with the agency you want to work for. Some won’t require that you re-enter the police academy. You would, however, have to complete approximately 8-12 weeks of field training. This includes two weeks of intra-department orientation, fourteen weeks of field training, and two weeks of shadow training.

What is the age cut-off?
All potential patrol officers must have reached their twenty-first birthday by date of hire. In addition, they cannot have reached their thirty-fifth birthday when the hiring list is posted.

Will experience waive the entry age?
No.

Do current police officers from other agencies that are hired receive any other benefits?
The only benefit is not having to repeat the police academy training.

Is the start-off pay the same even if you have prior police experience?
check with the recruiter of the agency that you want to work for

Can an application be mailed out to me?
applications are usually online

If hired, does the department pay for uniforms, equipment, etc.?
At hire, the Police Department provides all uniforms and equipment, including bulletproof vest.

Does military experience help?
Some agencies yes. Patrol officer candidates with military experience receive additional points on the final eligibility list. This could translate into a higher position on the list. For example, if your final score was an 82, and you were number 17 on the list, with military points, you could receive as many as 5 additional points, placing you much higher on the list.

How long is the police academy?
Approximately twelve weeks.

Will the department pay for academy training?
Yes. All expenses for the training are paid by the agency

Can I go through the hiring process being out of state?
Yes. All candidates must attend an orientation session, the physical agility test, and the written test. If the candidate scores well enough, he or she will be invited to an oral examination. Once a candidate is being considered for employment, he or she will have to return again for a physical examination, polygraph and psychological exam.

Is there a residency requirement?
some agency require that you live within city limits, while others don’t.

How long do I have to meet this requirement?
Patrol officers have until their probationary period ends, which is one year.

Are there any out-of-pocket expenses I should know about?
expenses are different for every agency. However, once an officer is hired, all uniforms and equipment are provided through contractual agreement.

After being hired, how does promotions work? (Investigations, Evidence, etc.)
When an opening becomes available, officers with a minimum of three years experience can express their interest. An interview process takes place, and the interviewers develop an eligibility list similar to the hiring list. As openings become available, persons are assigned to these units according to their rank on the list.

What kind of hours should I expect to work?
Normally is different for every agency. Usually new officers are assigned to the relief shift after completing their field training.

Is there overtime available?
Usually once released from their field training officer, new patrol officers are allowed to work overtime

How does the department handle active military leave?
Usually officers are allowed to go on military leave, and will be reimbursed their regular patrol officer pay provided they forward their military pay to the agency.