Chicago Police Enter Final Week of Recruitment Push

Chicago Police Interim Supt. John Escalante visits a recent police career recruitment workshop in Little Village. | Chicago Police Dept. Facebook

The Chicago Police Department is entering the final week of its recruitment campaign within which potential applications may apply to join the police department.

Applications are being accepted through Sunday, January 31. A written exam will be administered April 14 or April 15 for those who applied. The exact date and venue will determined later.

A special focus is being placed on encouraging more minority participation in the written exam and building diversity in police ranks. The city is also reaching 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.

Chicago Police will be holding a career workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the 3rd District Chicago Police station, 7040 S. Cottage Grove. The event is free and open to the public.

Interested applications and their families can learn more about the benefits of working for the Chicago Police Department and fill out an application to take the test. The current recruitment campaign is the first time since 2013 that police have been accepting applications.

The minimum age to take the test is 18. The application fee is $30. Residency in the City of Chicago is required at the time of employment, but not required at the time of application.

Candidates who successfully pass the written exam in April, may have to wait a few years before being hired.

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

Visit the Chicago Police Department website or call 311 to learn more about the requirements for becoming a police officer and the application process.