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.
Click the links below to get to the resources you need to start the process!
Requirements:
- Must be aged 21 to 35 (see FAQ’s below for exception)
- Must be a US citizen or a permanent resident of the US
AND
- a Bachelor’s Degree, OR
- 60 college credit hours and 3 years active United States military duty; OR
- 60 college credit hours and 3 years as a full-time Police Officer; OR
- 60 college credit hours and 3 years as a full-time employee with the City of Elgin; OR
- 60 college credit hours and have participated in the Elgin Police Explorer Program with at least 4 years of participation and with not less than 400 hours of volunteer time in the program.
- An associate’s degree of applied science in criminal justice from Elgin Community College.
Frequently Asked Questions - learn more about the hiring process
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
- POWER test card no more than 1 year from date of exam
- An online application submitted through our website - set up your application now
Information About the Elgin Police Department
You will need to pass the POWER test, a four part physical exercise that tests your flexibility, cardio level, upper body and abdominal strength. Take the Power Test at any of three locations - NIPSTA, Joliet Junior College or Triton College.