Entry-Level and Lateral Police Officer

City of Wood Dale Police Department

Wood Dale, Illinois

The Wood Dale Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is accepting applications for the positions of entry-level Police Officer and lateral transfer Police Officer with the Wood Dale Police Department. Applying for and taking the entry-level online written exam is free.

Salary: $80,633 - $117,134 (effective 5/1/24)
$83,455 - $121,233 (effective 5/1/25)

Lateral transfer candidates may be placed in the wage schedule based on their years of qualified previous experience upon successful completion of a Field Training Program.

Insurance: Medical (HMO / PPO), Dental, Vision, Term Life (1.5 x base salary).

Paid Time Off:

• Vacation: 2 – 5 weeks paid, depending on years of service (with lateral transfer match).
• Holidays: 10 paid per year.
• Personal Holidays: 3 paid personal holidays per year.
• Personal / Sick Days: 12 paid personal / sick days per year.

Benefits: Article III Downstate Police Pension, Social Security, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, Health Savings Plan, $900 Annual Uniform Allowance, Tuition Reimbursement, etc.

Schedule: 40 hour work week / 8 hour shifts (7A – 3P, 3P-11P, 11P-7A)

Population: 14,012

Authorized Sworn Police Officers: 35

All applicants must meet the following minimum requirements established by the City of Wood Dale Board of Fire & Police Commissioners:

• U.S. citizenship;
• No felony convictions (or any misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude);
• Must be at least 21 years of age -AND- under the age of 35 at the time of the online written exam (or meet the exemption set forth in the Illinois Compiled Statutes 65 ILCS5/10-2.1-6);
• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent;
• Possess vision correctible to 20/20 @ 20 feet & 20/20 @ 16 inches, for each eye;
• Application Deadline: 4:00 PM (CST) on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Required documents (to be submitted at time of application):

• Valid Driver's License;
• Birth certificate;
• High School diploma or GED certificate;
• Proof of Naturalized Citizenship if applicable;
• College Diploma (if applicable);
• Military Service Record Form DD-214 (if applicant has military service);
• Incomplete or defective applications will not be accepted and will disqualify the applicant.

Lateral Transfer Candidates:

• Lateral transfer candidates must email mspiewak@wooddale.com to learn more about the lateral transfer application process and arrange for an interview.
• Must have been employed, whether currently or in the past, for at least two (2) years as a full-time, sworn law enforcement officer by a municipal, county, university, or State law enforcement agency.
• Must be in good standing with the agency in which the currently serve or separated from in good standing with no adverse employment action.
• Must be eligible to be granted a waiver of basic training from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standards Board (ILETSB).
• Must furnish upon request a copy of the following documents to the extent applicable: a resume, professional licenses, training certificates, and documents confirming work experience.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

• Submit Application: Applicants must complete and submit all application materials online by Friday, January 31, 2025 @ 4:00PM (CST).
  
• Online Written Exam: Following completion of all application materials and review of minimum qualifications, successful applicants will be invited to attend the online written exam being held February 11 – February 14, 2025.

Mandatory Online Written Examination Testing: Following completion of all application materials and review of minimum qualifications, successful applicants will be invited to participate in remote on-line written exam testing starting at 9 AM on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 through Friday, February 14, 2025 at 4 PM. The test will only be available during this time period. Candidates will need to have access to a laptop or desktop computer. The exam contains four categories (Math, Reading, Grammar, & Writing). In order to pass the exam an overall score of 80% must be achieved, with no less than a score of 70% achieved in each category. All candidates will receive an email by Monday, Februrary 10, 2025, along with further instructions for taking the on-line written exam. NOTE: Please be sure to check your email spam folder. Many email account providers automatically send our emails there in error (i.e. Google, Yahoo, etc.).

Initial Eligibility Register: Following completion of the written exam, the Board will prepare an Initial Eligibility Register of those candidates who have successfully passed the exam with an overall minimum score of 80%. The candidates will be listed in order of excellence based on their score on the written exam without the application of any available preference points. When more than one candidate receives the same number of points, placement on the Initial Eligibility Register shall be assigned by lottery.

Preference Points: Candidates shall receive information regarding preference points with the application form. If eligible for preference points, candidates shall make a claim in writing using the form provided in this application with proof provided or such claim shall be deemed waived. The Board will prepare a Final Eligibility Register which shall include approved preference points. The Board shall assign preference points as follows:

A maximum of (5) preference points will be awarded as determined by the Board of Fire & Police Commissions for any one the following:

• Military: Applicants who actively served in the United States military for at least one (1) year and who were honorably discharged or are now on inactive or reserve duty shall be preferred for employment and shall receive not less than five (5) preference points. Proof of such service must include a copy of Military Form DD-214.
  
• Police Academy: Applicants who have been awarded a certificate attesting to the successful completion of the Minimum Standards Basic Law Enforcement Training Course as provided in the Illinois Police Training Act and are currently serving as a law enforcement officer on a part-time or full-time basis within the State of Illinois.
  
• Education: Applicants who have attained an associate’s degree in the field of law enforcement or criminal justice OR a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Such preference points shall not be cumulative.

Final Eligibility Register: The Board shall prepare a Final Eligibility Register which shall include preference points from which final entry level police officer appointments shall be made. The candidates shall be placed upon the Final Eligibility Register in rank order, highest first. Where more than one candidate receives the same number of points, placement on the Final Eligibility Register shall be assigned by lottery by the Board. A dated copy of the Final Eligibility Register shall be posted in the City of Wood Dale and sent to each person whose name appears thereon via email address provided in the application. The Final Eligibility Register shall remain valid for two (2) years after which it will expire, and the Board will strike off all remaining names. Any person placed on the Final Eligibility Register who exceeds the age requirement before being appointed to the City of Wood Dale Police Department shall remain eligible for appointment until the list is abolished, or his or her name has been on the register for a period of two (2) years.

Important Disclaimer for Potential Applicants:

As part of this application form, you will be required to submit various documents, records and/or additional forms. Be sure to allow sufficient time to gather this documentation and fully complete the application before the deadline. In other words, do not wait until one day before the deadline to collect and submit additional required documentation. In order for your application to be accepted, all materials must be submitted and received prior to the deadline.

The City of Wood Dale is an Equal Opportunity Employer.