City of Elgin
150 Dexter Court
Elgin, IL 60120
Website: www.joinelginpd.com; elginil.gov
Phone: 847-931-6071
Fax: 847-931-5906
Email: Lizzy.Soderstrom@elginil.gov
Population: 113,310
Sworn: 194
Salary: $84,856 - $120,146
Application Deadline: 3/21/25
APPLY
(https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/elginil/jobs/4817550/police-officer?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs)
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 650 Full Time Employees and a $275 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?
(https://vimeo.com/anomalyvideo/download/583530143/7934518a91)
GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK:
The City 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
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 test at 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 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.
Schedule the written test to be taken at the City of Elgin Police Department.
- There is no cost for taking the test at the City of Elgin Police Department. OR
Schedule the written test with National Testing Network - scheduling information listed below.
- The cost to take the test with the National Testing Network is $49.00. 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 Lizzy Soderstrom at Lizzy.Soderstrom@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 March 31st, 2025 to inform you whether or not you will be advancing to the next stage of the process.
Be sure you fill out an application with the City of Elgin regardless of which testing option you choose AND complete an application with the National Testing Network, if you decide on that option.
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 on specific dates at:
Elgin Police Station
151 Douglas Avenue
Elgin, IL
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 last 2 hours and 30 minutes. Immediately following the written test candidates will be required to complete a physical fitness test. The physical agility test typically last 1 hour.
Dates for the written test:
Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. & physical agility test at 9:30 p.m.
Friday, March 21, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. & physical agility test at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. & physical agility test at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. & physical agility test at 1:00 p.m.
Dates for the physical agility test only:
March 20, 2025 at 9:30 pm
March 21, 2025 at 9:30 pm
March 22, 2025 at 1:00 pm
March 23, 2025 at 1:00 pm
The written exam takes approximately 2 and a half 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 March 23, 2025.
The fee for the test is $49.00. Submit your voucher code at the time of payment to reduce the cost to $39.00. 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 you will be responsible for the entire amount 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 Lizzy Soderstrom at Lizzy.Soderstrom@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 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 Lizzy Soderstrom at Lizzy.Soderstrom@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)
https://www.ptb.illinois.gov/media/1755/new-power-test-chart-2023.pdf (https://get.adobe.com/reader/)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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.