Police Officer (Lateral)

2025 Salary Schedule

Benefits:

• Copy of High School Diploma or equivalent (required even with college transcript)
• Copy of Valid Driver's License (required)
• Copy of Birth Record as Proof of Citizenship (required and must be certified)
• Copy of DD-214 Long Form showing 4 years continuous service OR copy of Official College / University Transcripts (required).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

Criminal Investigation & Apprehension: Handles complaints filed by citizens. Observes, detects and investigates violations of laws and ordinances. Documents details of violations. Conducts interviews and interrogations of victims, witnesses, suspects, offenders and other related persons. Conducts both preliminary and follow-up investigations. Identifies, protects, collects, processes, preserves and documents physical evidence. Searches persons, vehicles and other locations or items within the scope of law. Transports, books, cares for and escorts prisoners. Prepares clear, accurate and complete reports detailing any and all activities. Prepares and serves criminal complaints, arrest warrants, search warrants and other court documents. Prepares cases and self for court. Appears and provides sworn testimony for a variety of legal proceedings.

Crime Prevention: Patrols assigned area, watches for criminal activity and safety hazards. Becomes and remains familiar with patrol area, geographic locations, known offenders, neighborhood routines and potential problem areas. Conducts security inspections of buildings and other locations and takes action to correct identified security issues. Investigates suspicious activities and performs field interviews when appropriate. Shares information with other officers, law enforcement agencies and city departments as needed. Educates public in tactics to reduce victimization.

Traffic: Actively engages in proactive self-initiated traffic and parking enforcement including DUI apprehension. Controls, regulates and directs traffic – both vehicular and pedestrian. Investigates traffic accidents which include protecting scenes, aiding injured persons, controlling traffic, clearing scenes, determining causes, taking enforcement action when required and preparing complete reports/diagrams. Participates in efforts to reduce accidents/injuries in the community.

Miscellaneous Order Maintenance: Deals with domestic disputes and other interpersonal or business conflicts. Watches for, recognizes and takes corrective actions with regard to public hazards or quality of life issues such as; gas leaks, water main breaks, defective traffic signals, traffic obstructions and other safety hazards. Provides assistance to other emergency service providers as needed or requested. Is trained in and administers basic first aid to injured persons, including CPR. Investigates and documents lost and found property. Investigates and documents missing and found persons.  Investigates and enforces animal related ordinance violations and complaints including handling of stray and vicious animals. Directs and/or supervises others (civilian and public employees) at crime scenes, accidents, disasters and public gatherings. Provides assistance for persons in distress, victims of crimes and witnesses. Responds to and thoroughly handles all basic calls for service.

Community Policing: Becomes and stays familiar with community issues and concerns. Interacts with community members in a manner that upholds public trust and facilitates positive two-way interaction between the police and the community. Promotes and supports the Department’s mission and value statements.

Peripheral Duties: Attend training and maintain required skills, licenses, permits and certifications associated with areas of special instruction of expertise. Train other personnel in areas of expertise and skill. Conduct background investigations. May perform desk duties including Telecommunications and/or research.  

Performs other related duties as requested.

Required Minimum Qualifications:  
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Age: At the time of the first element of examination, applicants must be at least 21 years of age and less than 65 years of age. Applicants who are 20 years of age who have successfully completed 60 semester credit hours or more (or 90 quarter credits or more) in the study of law enforcement at a college or university accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization may be considered for an entry level position. Any such applicant shall not have power of arrest, nor shall he/she be permitted to carry firearms until he/she reaches 21 years of age.
 
Education: Must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent and have successfully completed 60 semester hours credit or more (or 90 quarter credits or more) from a college or university accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization. Having proof of completion of four years of continuous active duty in the United States Armed Forces can supplement the post secondary education credits.

Certification or License: Must be a United States citizen at the time of filing an application. Must possess a valid state of Illinois driver's license. The applicant must be certified or have the ability to be qualified to be certified (by full-academy waiver) by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) by either: 1. Award of a certificate attesting to his or her successful completion of the minimum Standards Basic Law Enforcement Training Course, as provided in the Illinois Police Training Act, OR 2. Having previously been certified as a law enforcement officer in another state, the applicant must meet the conditions of reciprocity as regulated by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and must have been employed as a full-time law enforcement officer in good standing.

Must be able to read and write the English language.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Proficiencies:
Every applicant must be of good moral character and must be physically and psychologically suitable to perform the duties of a police officer.  The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners may require the submission of such evidence of character and fitness of applicants as it deems appropriate.  The burden of establishing facts relating to character and fitness rests upon the applicant.

Safety Functions:

• Becomes familiar with and observes all applicable safety policies and procedures.
• Immediately reports all unsafe conditions and acts to supervisor.
• Reports personal accidents to supervisor.
• Keeps work area clean, orderly and free of hazards.
• Adheres to all safety rules and established work procedures.
• Maintains appropriate physical fitness to perform essential job functions.
• Follows proper lifting/ material handling procedures at all times.
• Takes proper body substance isolation precautions when dealing with biological fluids.

Work Environment:  

The position involves regular and irregular shift work and shift rotations necessary to provide police services 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 52 weeks/year (weekends and holidays included).  Work shifts are normally 8 hours in duration but may be extended in the event of emergency, disaster, manpower shortage or work in progress. This position involves potential exposure to and requires the employee to function in the presence of:

• All and extreme weather conditions.
• All and extreme lighting conditions--daylight and night light, with and without artificial light available, indoors and outdoors.
• Fire, smoke, chemical leaks/spills--in close proximity as necessary to provide emergency services.
• Personal danger, including but not limited to:

               *        armed and/or dangerous persons/animals.

               *        persons and/or articles with contagious/communicable diseases.

               *        hazards associated with emergency driving, traffic control and working in and around traffic.

               *        hazards associated with natural and man-made disasters.

Bloodborne Pathogens:  

The duties of Police Officer include the handling of evidence which may contain a risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, contact with persons who may have contagious/communicable diseases and providing initial emergency responder first aid care to injured persons.

Tools and Equipment Used:

• Motor vehicles, reasonably and safely under routine and emergency conditions, often for lengthy periods of time and in all types of weather/roadway conditions.
• Firearms, with demonstrated proficiency in the care and use of assigned/authorized weapons.
• Less than lethal weapons such as batons, Oleoresin Capsicum spray and tasers, with demonstrated proficiency in the care and use.
• Basic office equipment including a computer with Windows and Microsoft Office Suite, copier, printer, scanner, fax machine and phone.
• Personal protective equipment including, gas masks, face masks and rubber gloves.
• Writing implements and basic drawing templates, including the ability to write legible documents and produce simple diagrams.
• Specialized computer systems including, prisoner booking systems, mobile field report writing systems and property management systems.
• Basic tools and equipment necessary to perform job tasks and functions including but not limited to speed detection devices, 2-way radios, mobile data computers, in-car camera systems, first-aid equipment, digital cameras, breath testing instruments, fire extinguishers, handcuffs and other personal restraint devices, flashlights, helmets, standard police uniforms, simple tools (pry bars, hydrant wrenches, tape measures, etc.), cameras, crime scene processing equipment, evidence packaging equipment, etc.

• Effect arrests.
• Subdue resisting individuals.
• Chase fleeing suspects.
• Run to persons requiring emergency assistance.
• Lift and carry equipment and injured/deceased persons.
• Force entry into buildings.
• Climb flights of stairs/ladders.
• Walk, stand, or sit for long periods of time (including driving).
• Endure exposure to extreme weather and disease.
• Perform life-saving procedures (CPR, first aid, etc.).
• Communicate effectively, verbally and non-verbally.
• Operate required equipment.
• Perform required job tasks and functions.
• Provide assistance to citizens and co-workers in distress.

• Make observations.
• Read and write.
• Drive and operate equipment safely.
• Multi-task.

• Observe analytically and objectively, analyze situations quickly, determine and take prompt, effective action.
• Understand, interpret, and apply applicable federal and state statutes, local ordinances, court decisions, and Police Department and City rules and policies.
• Understand and respond quickly and accurately to written and oral directions, instructions, inquiries, and requests.
• Work independently and effectively.
• Initiate appropriate interpersonal and intra- and inter-agency communications.
• Act quickly, calmly, and decisively in emergencies and under stress.
• Handle situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and impartially.
• Express oneself clearly and completely.
• Record information clearly and completely.
• Facilitate effective conflict arbitration/resolution.
• Maintain confidentiality in the performance of duties.
• Assimilate, retain and effectively use geographic knowledge concerning the City and the surrounding vicinity.

• Accept constructive criticism in a mature fashion.
• Effectively communicate and interact positively with fellow employees and citizens.
• Tolerate stress.
• Function effectively under stress.
• Deal effectively with the morbid, the macabre, the repugnant, the abnormal, the morose, the psychotic, the neurotic, and the otherwise unpleasant or unusual facets or results of human behavior.

Salary : $88,503 - $122,222