Chicago Launches Police Recruitment Campaign

For the first time since 2013, the city is accepting applications to join the Chicago Police Department, with a special emphasis made on recruiting minorities, military veterans, Chicago Public School graduates, and candidates with a parent or grandparent who was a city police officer killed in the line of duty.

Applications are being accepted now through the close of the business day on Wednesday, Dec. 16. A written exam will be administered in February 2016.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy announced the opening of police applications before Monday’s quarterly meeting of the Mayor’s Commission for a Safer Chicago to address youth violence.

“I’m excited that we are again offering residents the opportunity to join the police department, for a rewarding career of service to Chicago’s communities,” Emanuel said in a written statement. “This effort will not only help ensure our department remains fully staffed as we work to fight gun violence, but will also help ensure that the makeup of the force better reflects the makeup of our city.”

During the application period, Chicago police will be launching a “Take the Test, Be Your Best” ad campaign aimed at encouraging more minorities to participate in the written exam in order to increase diversity among the department’s ranks.

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Police officers will also be visiting will be visiting churches, schools, and community events across the city in coming weeks to promote this opportunity and the advantages of joining the police department.

In addition to minorities, the city intends to reach out to military veterans and Chicago Public School graduates to ensure that a portion of recruit classes meet these criteria. Consideration, too, will be given to candidates with a parent or grandparent who was a Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty.

The starting salary for Chicago police officers is $47,604 and increases to $72,510 after 18 months of employment.

The minimum age to apply and take the police exam is 18. Other eligibility requirements include:

• Education/ Military Experience: 60 semester hours of college credit or 36 months of continuous active duty service; or one year continuous active service with 30 semester hours college credit (required at the time of hire, not at time of application).
• Valid State of Illinois Driver’s License (required at the time of hire, not at time of application)
• Payment of application fee ($30, fee waiver available for qualifying individuals)
• Pre-employment written exam.

The candidate selection process includes:

• Police Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER Test), which test strength, endurance, and flexibility.
• Background Investigation
• Polygraph
• Psychological test
• Medical examination
• Drug screen

“I signed up to become a police officer more than 35 years ago, and it has been one of the best decisions of my life,” McCarthy said. “While the work may not be glamorous, as a police officer, every day you have the opportunity to affect someone’s life for the better, to stop a crime, to comfort a victim, to bring justice to an offender, and to protect our communities. This is an incredible opportunity for people throughout Chicago, I urge those who are eligible to apply.”

For more information on the application process visit the Chicago Police Department website or call 311.