FOR ASSISTANCE WITH ANY STEP IN THE HIRING PROCESS, OR WITH ANY QUESITONS, PLEASE CONTACT A RECRUITING OFFICER ABOVE.
APPLICATONS FOR THE POSITION OF POLICE PATROL OFFICER ARE ACCEPTED ON A CONTINUAL BASIS. YOU MAY APPLY AND BE SCREENED AT ANY TIME.
THE CITY OF DECATUR IS NOW PAYING FOR THE COST OF THE NTN WRITTEN TESTING FEE FOR ALL APPLICANTS. THE FEE WILL BE WAIVED DURING THE NTN REGISTRATION PROCESS. FURTHER, YOU ARE ABLE TO TAKE THE NTN WRITTEN TEST VIRTUALLY AND DO NOT HAVE TO TRAVEL TO A TESTING CENTER. IF YOU HAVE A HARDSHIP AND NEED HELP COORDINATING A TESTING LOCATION, TO INCLUDE VIRTUALLY, PLEASE REACH OUT TO A DPD RECRUITING OFFICER.
ALL NEW POLICE HIRES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A $5,000 HIRING BONUS.
ALL NEW DECATUR POLICE OFFICERS MUST RESIDE WITHIN 40 MILES OF THE DECATUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE BELOW INFORMATION
Entry Level Police Patrol Officer
If you have questions, please contact a DPD Recruiting Officer at 217-424-2743 or by email.
The City of Decatur allows applicants to apply and take the written test for the position of Entry Level Police Patrol Officer on an on-going basis.
Complete written exam through NTN
Sign up for the written test by going to the National Testing Network (NTN) web page: www.nationaltestingnetwork.com and complete a National Testing Network application. In addition, applicants are required to complete a City of Decatur employment application which may be found online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/decaturil. You will be required to create a user name and password with Government Jobs to submit your application.
Once on the National Testing Network web page, applicants need to select “Law Enforcement Jobs” and Decatur, IL Police Department. Applicants are also required to complete the Personal History Questionnaire.
The City of Decatur also requires candidates to pass the four-component Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) physical fitness test as a requirement for the position of Police Patrol Officer. Additional information regarding the physical fitness test can be found at http://www.ptb.state.il.us/media/1320/power.pdf opens in a new window(Download PDF reader)
Visit the City’s career page: Click here for Career page.
Applicants must provide an email address that they frequently check, as this is how we will contact you.
Entry Level Police Patrol Officer City Application
Lateral Transfer – For Experienced Officers Only
** LATERAL POLICE OFFICERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR INCREASED STARTING WAGES EQUIVILENT TO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE – UP TO 5 YEARS MAX **
The City of Decatur allows applicants to apply for the position of Experienced (Lateral) Police Patrol Officer on an on-going basis.
If you are a certified full-time Illinois Police Officer, you may apply for our lateral process at any time. There is NO requirement for length of prior service.
If you are a certified full-time police officer in a state other than Illinois, and have successfully completed a probationary period of at least 6 months while employed full time with a law enforcement agency in the state where you are trained, you may apply as a lateral police officer.
Proof of certification as a full-time officer must be submitted at the time of application.
Lateral applicants with at least 2 years of full-time police experience will NOT be required to take the written test IF the experience occurred during the 5 years preceding the application.
Lateral police applicants DO NOT have to take and pass the Illinois POWER test as a condition of employment.
All lateral applicants must complete a City of Decatur employment application (Click here for City Application)
Lateral applicants needing to take the written should go to the National Testing Network (NTN) web page and enroll on the National Testing Network web page. Once on the national testing network web page, applicants need to select “Law Enforcement Jobs” and Decatur, IL Police Department. Make sure you select Lateral Transfer – For Experienced Officers Only Application. Applicants are also required to complete the Personal History Questionnaire through the NTN site.
Applicants must provide an email address that they frequently check, as this is how we will contact you.
Lateral Transfer Police Patrol Officer Application
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at: Recruitment
Examination Process
Video/Written Examination (IF APPLICABLE):
The video/written examination may be taken at any of the National Testing Network locations or VIRTUALLY through the NTN. To view the full list of testing locations visit: NTN Testing Locations. The written test consists of four components: written language ability, multiple-choice writing, multiple-choice reading, and video scenarios. These four components are scored in the following three categories: video, writing and reading. Applicants must score 65.00% on video and 70.00% on writing and reading.
Sign up for the written test by going to the National Testing Network (NTN) web page: www.nationaltestingnetwork.com and complete a National Testing Network application. In addition, applicants are required to complete a City of Decatur employment application which may be found online here. You will be required to create a user name and password with Government Jobs to submit your application.
Once on the National Testing Network web page, applicants need to select “Law Enforcement Jobs” and Decatur, IL Police Department. Applicants are also required to complete the Personal History Questionnaire.
Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) Test is waived for lateral applicants.
Preliminary Background Investigation:
A preliminary background investigation will be completed prior to the oral interview. Candidates can be eliminated based on adverse information.
Oral Interview:
Applicants remaining in the process will be scheduled for an oral interview and must pass to continue in the process.
In-Depth Background Investigation:
The position of police officer requires a great deal of public trust and carries a tremendous amount of responsibility. In addition to the Personal History Questionnaire, applicants must complete a Police Patrol Officer Applicant Background Questionnaire and return it by the due date. Candidates must be of good moral character and will be subject to a thorough background investigation, including, but not limited to, police records check, credit check, inquiries of neighbors, relatives, work history, and other references. Candidates may be eliminated from the process at any time based on information obtained from the background investigation. This includes, but is not limited to, information discovered about the candidate that would reflect negatively upon the Decatur Police Department if the candidate was hired. A conviction record may be considered on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily disqualify a candidate. However, Illinois State law precludes appointment as a police officer with any felony conviction or any disqualifying conviction as set forth in 65 ILCS 5/10-1-7(c). As part of the background investigation process, applicants will be mandated to participate in a ride-along. They will be required to write a one-page synopsis of their ride-along experience. Candidates are expected to dress in business casual clothing for the ride-along. T-shirts, jeans and shorts are prohibited. Applicants that do not participate in the ride-along will be eliminated from the pre-employment process.
Veteran Points:
Eligible veterans may receive 5 veteran preference points added to their final examination score in accordance with 65 ILCS 5/10-1-16.
Selection from Eligibility Register:
Applicants who are placed on the eligible register will be selected by the Chief of Police.
Physical, Drug Screen, and Psychological Evaluation:
Applicants selected off of the eligible register must pass a physical examination, drug screening, and psychological evaluation. Final appointment is contingent upon passing all of these components.
