Job Description

Posting number: 20261109-01

Department: Police

Job classification: Police Officer

Posting type: Open

Categories: Community Services, Public Safety, Law Enforcement, Animal Control, 911 Telecommunications, Security

Summary

The City of Elgin, Illinois seeks highly qualified police officer candidates. Founded in 1836 and located 35 miles northwest of Chicago, Elgin is proud of its diversity in demographics and culture. From its revitalized downtown area, including the award-winning Riverwalk and the Hemmens Cultural Center, to its many comfortable neighborhoods, four historic districts, 1,600 acre parks system and extensive regional recreational assets, Elgin offers a unique quality of life, whether one is interested in city or suburban living. Elgin's motto, "The City in the Suburbs", embodies a celebration of Elgin's past, enjoyment of the present, and the promise of Elgin's future.

Elgin operates under the council-manager form of government, which was adopted in Elgin in 1954. The City has approximately 750 full-time employees and a $400 million budget. The City of Elgin's Strategic Principles and Priorities serve as a guide for the City and community. The City Council has established the following values and goals to help it realize Elgin's full potential as "The City in the Suburbs": Collaboration, Innovation, Diversity and Inclusion, Stewardship, to be the City of Choice, to be a Safe and Healthy Community, to be a High Performing and Financially Stable Government.

The Elgin Police Department currently has 194 uniformed police officers.

What is it like to be an Elgin Police Officer?

Examples of duties

The City of Elgin has decided to accept applications for the position of Police Officer.

• Essential functions – Preserving the public peace; protecting life and property; preventing crimes; detecting and arresting violators of the law; enforcing all criminal and traffic laws of the State of Illinois and the ordinances of the City of Elgin.
• Typical tasks – conducting traffic accident investigations; patrolling an assigned area of the City; investigating suspicious incidents; conducting preliminary investigations; preserving evidence and interviewing witnesses.

To apply for the position follow the steps below:

STEP 1

• Ensure that you meet the minimum requirements of the position
• Submit an application with the City of Elgin by clicking on "Apply" at the top of this posting
• Attach all required documents to this application

STEP 2

Decide between the following two options for taking the written exam. Whether you decide to take the test with the City of Elgin or the National Testing Network, you will need to wait until you receive a confirmation email to register for either test.

The email will arrive within 48-72 hours from the date you submitted your application with the City of Elgin.

You will be required to take the physical agility test along with the written exam.

If you are taking the written exam with the Elgin Police Department, the physical agility test will take place after the written exam.

If you are taking the written exam with the National Testing Network, then you will need to schedule your physical agility test separately.

Additional information about the physical agility test can be found below under the Physical Agility Test section. Power test cards will not be accepted and all applicants must take the physical agility test at the City of Elgin Police Department.

1. Schedule the written test to be taken with the City of Elgin Police Department.

• There is no cost for taking the test with the City of Elgin Police Department.

OR

1. Schedule the written test with National Testing Network -- scheduling information listed below.

• The cost to take the test with the National Testing Network is $65.00. You may request a $10.00 voucher code from the City of Elgin to discount the cost of the written test through National Testing Network. Once you receive the confirmation email notifying you that you can register for the test, you may receive your $10.00 voucher by emailing Kelly DuBois at kelly.dubois@elginil.gov. The voucher code will be emailed to you within 48-72 hours of submitting your request.

STEP 3

• Notification will be sent to you by January 21, 2027 to inform you whether or not you will be advancing to the next stage of the process.

Please complete an application with the City of Elgin regardless of which testing option you choose. If you opt for the National Testing Network, you will also need to complete an application with them.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION

Candidates must meet and submit the following required documentation by the application deadline of January 8, 2027 :

• Copy of birth certificate / Naturalization papers if born outside of US / Employment Authorization Document
• Candidates must be 21 years of age or older by January 8, 2027
• Candidates may not be older than 35 by January 8, 2027, unless you have previous employment as a full-time Police Officer in another municipality. Veterans shall be allowed to exceed the maximum age requirement by the number of years served on active military duty, but by no more than 10 years of active duty.
• Candidates must be citizens of the United States or an alien admitted for permanent residence or lawfully admitted for temporary residence and can produce evidence of intention to become a citizen of the United States
• Copy of a valid driver's license
• Copy of a high school diploma or GED required
• Copy of Military Separation papers (DD 214), if applicable. Five additional points will be given on the eligibility list to those candidates who have 1 or more years of active duty military experience with an honorable discharge.

Awarding of preference points is done after the final stage of the process for original appointment for the following reasons; provided, however, that a maximum number of fourteen (14) points for persons receiving veteran's preference points and a maximum of twelve (12) points for persons not claim veteran's preference may be awarded to any person during the appointment process. The following qualifications shall be considered as preferred for original appointments as a police officer to the police department and shall be awarded the following preference points:

• Persons who are certified police officers in good standing and who are currently employed as full time sworn officers of a regular police department in any municipal, county, university or state law enforcement agency with at least three (3) years of full-time police experience: three (3) points.
• Persons who have any one of the following educational qualifications: a bachelor's degree, associate's degree, 60 college credit hours or a trade school diploma from accredited college, university or trade school: three (3) points.
• Persons who are currently employed full time with the City of Elgin with at least three (3) years full time employment with the City: three (3) points.
• Persons who are certified by the City or by a third party selected by the City to be multilingual, i.e., that in addition to English such person is proficient in Spanish, sign language or such additional language(s) as determined and established by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in its rules and regulations: three (3) points.
• Persons who have been awarded a certificate attesting successful completion of training on not less than forty (40) hours in non-violence, mediation or de-escalation tactics from an accredited college, university, governmental unit or other certified and recognized training program: three (3) points.
• Persons who are currently residing and have resided in the City of Elgin for at least one (1) year (i.e., maintaining their bona fide and principal residence in the City of Elgin): three (3) points.
• Persons who have engaged in the active military and naval service of the United States for a period of at least one (1) year and who are honorably discharged there from: five (5) points.
• Persons who have participated in the Elgin Police Department Explorer Program with at least three (3) years of experience with not less than 300 hours of volunteer time in such program: three (3) points.
• Persons with documented professional employment or voluntary community service with a recognized social service agency or community organization with at least three (3) years of professional employment or voluntary service participation in such program and with not less than 300 hours of volunteer time in such program: three (3) points.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

Candidates have two options for completing the written examination. You may take the written examination with the City of Elgin or through the National Testing Network Inc.

OPTION 1:

The City of Elgin Police Department will be conducting the written examination at the Elgin Police Station, 151 Douglas Ave, Elgin, IL on specific dates. There is no cost for taking the test if you take it at the Elgin Police Department at one of the dates listed below. The examination consists of the same written examination given by National Testing Network. The test lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes. Immediately following the written test, candidates will be required to complete a physical agility test. The physical agility test typically takes 1 hour to complete.

• Dates for the written and physical agility test:
• Thursday, January 7, 2027 at 6:00pm & physical agility test at 9:30pm - Centre of Elgin, Address: 100 Symphony Way
• Friday, January 8, 2027 at 6:00pm & physical agility test at 9:30pm - Centre of Elgin, Address: 100 Symphony Way
• Saturday, January 9, 2027 at 9:30am & physical agility test at 1:00pm - Centre of Elgin, Address: 100 Symphony Way
• Sunday, January 10, 2027 at 9:30am & physical agility test at 1:00pm - Police Department, Address: 151 Dexter
• Dates for the physical agility test only:
• January 7, 2027 at 9:30pm - Centre of Elgin, Address: 100 Symphony Way
• January 8, 2027 at 9:30pm - Centre of Elgin, Address: 100 Symphony Way
• January 9, 2027 at 1:00pm - Centre of Elgin, Address: 100 Symphony Way
• January 10. 2027 at 1:00pm - Police Department, Address: 151 Dexter
• The written exam takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete.
• Space is limited to 70 applicants per time slot.
• You will receive an email from us within 48-72 hours of you submitting your application with directions on how to schedule yourself for the written exam.

OPTION 2:

The City of Elgin administers our written examination through National Testing Network, Inc. You must fill out an application and schedule a written examination through National Testing Network by going to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com, selecting "Police Officer Jobs" and sign up for the City of Elgin under "Illinois".

What you will do on the www.nationaltestingnetwork.com website:

• Complete an application
• Review and confirm once again the information and minimum requirements for the City of Elgin police officer position
• Find detailed information about the testing process for the written examination
• Schedule your own examination time and location that is convenient for you. Available dates for the test are listed under each of the different testing sites. The last day to take a test to qualify for the City of Elgin position is January 10, 2027.
• The fee for the test is $65.00. Submit your voucher code at the time of payment to reduce the cost to $55.00. The voucher is only good toward scheduling a test with the City of Elgin through National Testing Network. If it is not used at time of payment, then you will be responsible for the entire cost of the test. The City will not retroactively reimburse the $10.00 credit.
• You will have the opportunity to take an online practice test at ergopracticetests.com for an additional fee, if you choose.
• Reminder: If you are taking the exam with the National Testing Network you must email Kelly DuBois at kelly.dubois@elginil.gov to set up an appointment to get a physical agility test scheduled.

Upon completion of the written examination, all candidate scores are automatically forwarded to the City of Elgin. Candidates who are one of the top 80 candidates scoring at or above 70% on the video portion of the written examination will be moved to the next stage of the process.

PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST

The physical agility test will be conducted after each written exam given at the Elgin Police Department. You must pass the physical agility test in order for you to move forward in the process. We are NOT accepting Power Test Cards in lieu of taking the physical agility test after the exam. Candidates taking the written test with the National Testing Network must email Kelly DuBois at kelly.dubois@elginil.gov to set up an appointment to get a physical agility test scheduled.

The standards for the physical agility test are listed below and for more information about the physical agility test and requirements you can visit: Power Test standards (Download PDF reader)

1. SIT AND REACH TEST: This is a measure of the flexibility of the lower back and upper leg area. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving range of motion and is important in minimizing lower back problems. The test involves stretching out to touch the toes beyond the extended arms from the sitting position. The score is in the inches reached on a yard stick with 15" being at the toes.

Male

Age

Male

Age

Male

Age

Male

Age

Female

Age

Female

Age

Female

Age

Female Age

TEST: Sit and Reach

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

12-15-22

14.4

13.0

12.0

10.5

17.0

16.5

15.0

14.8

1. ONE MINUTE SIT UP TEST: This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles. It is an important area for performing police tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems.

Male

Age

Male

Age

Male

Age

Male

Age

Female

Age

Female

Age

Female

Age

Female Age

TEST: One Minute Sit Up Test

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

12-15-22

33

30

24

19

24

20

14

10

1. ONE REPETITION MAXIMUM BENCH PRESS: This is a maximum weight pushed from the bench press position and measures the amount of force the upper body can generate.

Male

Age

Male

Age

Male

Age

Male

Age

Female

Age

Female

Age

Female

Age

Female Age

TEST: Bench Press

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

12-15-22

88%

78%

72%

63%

51%

47%

43%

39%

1. 1.5 MILE RUN: This is a timed run to measure the heart and vascular systems' capability to transport oxygen. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving stamina and endurance and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems. The score is in minutes and seconds.

Male

Age

Male

Age

Male

Age

Male

Age

Female

Age

Female

Age

Female

Age

Female Age

TEST: 1.5 Mile Run

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

12-15-22

14:00

14:34

15:24

16:58

16:46

17:38

18:37

20:44

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: The top 80 candidates who successfully pass the written examination and physical agility test will be subject to a background investigation which could consist of the following: complete criminal history check at the national, state and local level; complete traffic history at the state and local level; review of your credit history report, review of employment history with prior employers and possibly current employer; verification of military status (if applicable); personal/phone interviews with personal references.

REMINDER: You will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the test within 48-72 hours of submitting your application. You must fill out an application with the City of Elgin regardless of which testing option you choose. We will send you a $10.00 voucher for use with taking the written exam with National Testing Network, Inc. if that is the option you choose, but you must request and receive the voucher in advance of you registering and paying for the exam with the National Testing Network.

If you decide to take the test at the City of Elgin Police Department there is no charge.

What more information about the process: Elgin Police recruitment webpage

For more information on our police department visit us on: Facebook: Elgin Police Department Facebook