Preparing To Be A Police Officer

Preparing for the Police Officer Hiring Process

Applying to be a police officer can seem like an overwhelming process, but not if you’ve done the prep work in advance.

Requirements

• Must be between the ages of 21 to 35
• Must be a US citizen or a permanent resident of the US
• High School Diploma, OR GED

Preference Points 

• Current, full-time, sworn police officers in good standing. (3 points).
• Educational qualifications to include a bachelor's degree, associate's degree, 60 college credit hours, or a trade school diploma from an accredited college, university, or trade school (3 points).
• Currently employed full-time with the City of Elgin with at least three years of full-time employment with the City (3 points).
• Certified by the City or by a third party selected by the City to be multilingual (3 points). 
• Certificate attesting the successful completion of not less than 40 hours in non-violence, mediation, or de-escalation tactics from an accredited school and/or training program (3 points). 
• City of Elgin resident for at least one year (3 points).
• Have engaged in active military service for a period of at least one year and were honorably discharged (5 points). 
• Participated in the Elgin Police Department Explorer Program with at least three years of experience and not less than 300 hours of volunteer time in the program (3 points).  
• Professional employment or voluntary service with a recognized social service agency or community organization for at least three years or no less than 300 hours of volunteer time in such program (3 points). 

The total cumulative amount of preference points awarded to any candidate will not exceed twelve (12) preference points and for those candidates who receive veteran preference points, the total cumulative points will not exceed a total of fourteen (14) preference points. 

For information regarding testing requirements and preference points please contact City of Elgin Human Resources at 847-931-6049. 

What you’ll need to provide when you apply

• A copy of your driver’s license
• A copy of your birth certificate/naturalization papers
• Your college transcripts/diploma
• Your DD214 for military service
• An online application submitted through our website - set up your application now

Testing Options

You may test using the National Testing Network (see button below) or during one of the upcoming opportunities below at the Elgin Police Department, located at 151 Douglas Avenue.  We will be accepting applications for the next round of testing dates beginning February 1st, 2023. To test during one of these opportunities, complete the application and the City's Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule your testing.

Thursday: March 23, 2023

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Check-In

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Written Test

9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Power Test

Friday: March 24, 2023    

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Check-In

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Written Test

9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Power Test

Saturday: March 25, 2023

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  Check-In

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Written Test

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Power Test

 Sunday: March 26, 2023

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  Check-In

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Written Test

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Power Test

POWER Test

PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept POWER cards. You will need to pass the POWER Test facilitated by the Training Division and the City of Elgin’s Human Resources Department. Click here to learn more about the POWER Test.