POLICE HIRING PROCESS

Want to become a police officer? You must be familiar with the police hiring process!

The first step in the testing process is to file an application with the hiring department for the position of Police Officer. Most requirements for filing an application are as follows:

• Usually, you must be 20 years of age at the time of application and you must be at least 21 years of age in order to be appointed.

• At the time of filing, you must present your valid driver's license and high school diploma, or GED equivalent. Some departments required 60 semester hours of college.

• You must be able to speak, read, and write the English language.

• You must be a US Citizen.

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- Step Two -

After filing the application, the Police Commission will notify you by mail the time and place to report for each phase of the hiring process. Most departments have the following phases during the hiring process:

• Written Examinations

• Agility Test (P.O.W.E.R. Test)

• Oral Interviews

• Polygraph Examination

• Psychological Examination

• Background Screening

• Background Investigation

• Medical Examination

• Police Academy

• Field Training Officer Phase

• Probationary Period

Very often, most phases are on a pass/fail basis. After completion of the written examination, agility test, and oral interview, most departments will use results to determine candidates' placement on an eligibity. The agility test involves rigid physical exercises designed to evaluate your fitness. In Illinois, it is called the Police Officer's Wellness Evaluation Report (P.O.W.E.R). It consists of sit-ups, bench press, sit & reach, and 1.5 to 2 mile-run. Most often, a board may interview candidates. This board consists of numerous combinations. This board may have veteran officers from the hiring department or members from the police commission. You will be required to interview with this Board and questions may be asked concerning your background. You must pass all phases of these examinations in order to proceed.

- Step Three -

Those of you who pass these examinations will continue with the selection process and will be mailed further instructions. At a later date, you will be required to report to the hiring department for a pre-interview with an Investigations officer. You may be photographed and/or have your fingerprints taken. You will be required to sign waivers which allows the investigating officer to conduct and extensive background investigation. This investigator may visit references, neighbors, previous employers, friends, etc. Make sure these people know that you are applying for police officer positions. You may not know that your background is being investigated until is over.

- Step Four -

You may be required to participate in a polygraph examination. This examination is use to verify the information provided in your application and provided to the investigating officer. Be honest. Most departments understand that people make mistakes.

- Step Five -

Information is compiled concerning your background and polygraph results. This information may be sent to the hiring department and the Police Commission for the hiring evaluation.

- Step Six -

The psychological examination may ask questions regarding your personal feelings toward others and attitude towards life. You may have to take a multiple choice test asking questions about your personality, logic, etc. Results may be used to categorize your personality type. You may also be interviewed by a psychologist. The psycholigist may ask you what you do to relieve stress or anger, what is your favorite color, what is your worst quality, etc.

- Step Seven -

After successfully passing all the above phases, the hiring department may offer you a conditional letter of employment.

- Step Eight -

Most departments required a medical examination. This medical examination may require that you have certain vision requirements such as correctable vision of 20/20. The polygraph, psychological, and medical examinations must be passed before permanent appointment to the Police Academy is granted.

- Step Nine -

You will be notified by mail or a letter of your appointment date to the Police Academy. Remember, the academy is still part of the hiring phase. You must graduate to continue in the hiring process.

-Step Ten -

After police academy, you will start your field training phase. This is when you ride with a training officer, and he evaluates your performance. Usually, the field training phase is from 10 to 15 weeks in duration. Each department has different requirements.

-Step Eleven -

The final step is to successfully complete your probationary period. Again, each department has different requirements. Plus, some departments may require you to live within its boundary or give you a geographical radius. Good luck.

NOTE: The above process may not be followed by the listed order because some departments may NOT include all the listed phases. The information listed above is for informational purposes only.

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