Retirees, Suburban Officers Beckoned To Rejoin Chicago Police Ranks

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department wants to hire former CPD officers and currently sworn officers from outside the city to bolster sagging ranks.

“These are great opportunities for sworn officers to join or re-join the Chicago Police Department, said Interim Superintendent Eric M. Carter. “We recognized there was a need for these programs to qualified candidates who have a passion for service.”

The rehire program allows for sworn officers who have previously worked at CPD to come back, under an expedited process. Those eligible for rehire must have not been gone from CPD for more than 36 months and must be under the age of 50. Any former officers who are rehired will be rehired at the rank of police officer, regardless of their ran at the time of resignation. Rehired or lateral officers will also be required to pass all pre-employment hiring steps and an individualized training plan through the training and support group rehire.

The lateral hire program establishes a process for sworn officers from other law enforcement
agencies to join CPD while receiving credit for their law enforcement experience. Those hired under the lateral program must be under the age of 40 at the time of hire. They will also be required to complete a 12-month probationary period and an individualized training plan, as well as pass all pre-employment hiring steps.

Facing a wave of retirements, CPD has ramped up its hiring efforts. CPD’s recruitment and retention unit seeks to meet with diverse groups of potential applicants, including military bases, job fairs and colleges, including historically black colleges and universities. The recruitment team has also expanded entrance exam testing, with month in-person exams and an online exam.

The Chicago Police Department is looking for effective problem-solvers, critical thinkers and good communicators with the ability to interact with the community and perform the role safely, while following local, state and federal law as well as CPD policy and procedures.