Downers Grove, IL – ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICER

APPLY NOW TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE NEXT ELIGIBILITY LIST.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE TEST

• Visit National Testing Network
• Select Find Jobs; Law Enforcement Jobs from the drop-down menu;
• Filter the results by State (Illinois), and select Downers Grove.
  OR go directly to the list of Illinois law enforcement and select Downers Grove.

COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION

• Schedule your test and submit necessary verifying documentation.
• Be sure to review all information related to the Downers Grove Police Officer position, including minimum requirements, salary, benefits, and orientation video.
• Review detailed information about the testing process.
• Review the Frequently Asked Questions and take an online practice test (if desired).

NEXT STEPS
Upon completing your scheduled exam, scores are automatically forwarded to the Village of Downers Grove. Candidates who attain a passing score on the entry-level exam and provide the necessary verifying documentation will be placed on the Village’s eligibility list.

The HR Director will contact candidates on the list and invite them to participate in further stages of the selection process.

Salary Information: Starting salary of $75,834, advancing to $113,616 after 7 years

Benefit Information:

• Health, dental and vision insurance, with low cost premium share
• $100,000 of life insurance coverage (Village paid)
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care (FSA & DCFSA)
• Tax-deferred retirement savings program
• $4,500 annual tuition reimbursement
• 80 hours of vacation
• 9 paid holidays, plus 2 floating
• 8 hours of sick leave per month, after 12 months of service
• Annual clothing allowance

Department Overview

The Downers Grove Police Department is a nationally accredited agency through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA’s Advanced Accreditation is the highest level of accreditation and requires agencies to demonstrate adherence to over 450 mandatory professional standards representing best practices in the law enforcement profession. The goal of this rigorous process is to provide the highest quality law enforcement services to the Downers Grove community.

We, the members of the Downers Grove Police Department, are committed to preserving safety and enhancing the quality of life in our community. We provide service with understanding, response with compassion, and law enforcement with vision. We do so with honor, courage, and integrity; never losing sight of the respect and pride we have for one another and those we serve.

The Village is constructing a combined Civic Center facility, which will be the new home of Village Hall, the Police Department and the administrative offices of Downers Grove Grade School District 58. Located on the west side of the Civic Center property, this combined facility will provide modern work spaces that will allow for efficient and effective interactions between employees and with customers.

Village Information
Downers Grove is located 22 miles west of Chicago. Convenient access to Chicago via rail and several major expressways make Downers Grove a prime location to live, work and do business. Downers Grove is home to many corporate and regional headquarters including Advocate Aurora Health Care, Dover Corporation, and Pepperidge Farm. Highly ranked schools were a top factor in Downers Grove being named one of the Top 10 Livable Cities for kids by Livability.com. Downers Grove has also been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Friendliest Towns.

Population: 50,247

Job Requirements:

Age: 21 years of age, but less than 35 years of age at the time of application. The age requirement does not apply to any person currently employed as a police officer in a regularly constituted police department of any municipality.
US Citizen: Must be a US Citizen
High School Grad/GED: Must be a high school graduate, or possess a GED
Valid State Driver’s License: Must possess a valid driver’s license
Vision: Corrected far vision to 20/40 or better and corrected near vision to 20/20; possess normal peripheral vision; ability to see in color.
College: 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university

Necessary Certifications: Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (P.O.W.E.R.), with a verified completion date within 12 months of application.

Additional Requirements: Meet the mental, medical, physical, and psychological standards established by the Board and be able to successfully complete such screening examinations as required by the Board.

Required Documentation, due at time of application: 

Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)
Applicant Statement and Release
Certified copy of birth certificate
Certified copy of high school diploma or GED
Transcript of grades from an accredited College or University
A copy of a valid Driver’s License
When applicable, a certified copy of military service record and discharge papers (DD214)
A copy of Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (P.O.W.E.R.) card, with a verified completion date within 12 months of application

Hiring Process: The Downers Grove Police Officer recruitment process includes:
1. Submission of Application (Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)), with Supporting Documents
2. Written Exam
3. Subjective Assessment
4. Initial Eligibility List
5. Preference Points
6. Final Eligibility List
7. Polygraph Test
8. Psychological Evaluation
9. Background Investigation
10. Interview with the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
11. Medical Examination
12. POWER test to be completed at College of DuPage before entering the Police Academy

Preference Points
Military: Within ten (10) days after posting the Initial Eligibility List, applicants for police officer may claim preference points if they were engaged in the military or naval service of the Unites States for at least one year and who were honorably discharged or who are now or may hereafter be on inactive or reserve duty in
such military or naval service (not including persons who were convicted by court martial of disobedience of orders where such disobedience consisted of refusal to perform military service on the ground of religious or conscientious objection).

Community Service Officer: Within ten (10) days after posting the Initial Eligibility List, applicants for police officer may claim preference points if they have been employed with the Village as a Community Service Officer for at least two (2) years and are currently an employee in good standing.

Certified Full Time Law Enforcement Officer: Within ten (10) days after posting the Initial Eligibility List, applicants for police officer may claim preference points if:

The applicant has been awarded a certificate attesting to the applicant’s successful completion of the Minimum Standards Basic Law Enforcement Training Course, as provided in the Illinois Police Training Act (50 ILCS 705/1 et seq.);.
The applicant is currently serving as a sworn law enforcement on a full-time basis with the State of Illinois in a municipal, county, university or State law enforcement agency, and
The applicant is currently employed in good standing with his/her respective law enforcement agency for a minimum of two (2) years.
Evidence of qualification for preference points must accompany the claim within ten (10) days after posting the Initial Eligibility List. If the claim is not made within ten (10) days, it shall be deemed waived.

Orientation Video
Click here to learn more about the Downers Grove Police Department:
https://youtu.be/jWqfdLmd9ZI

The Village of Downers Grove is an Equal Opportunity Employer.