The City of Champaign is the 10th largest city in the state of Illinois and the third largest outside of the Chicago region. Featuring an extensive park system, a world-class library, urban shopping choices and a variety of living accommodations, Champaign offers urban perks with smaller city comforts.

Discover more about Champaign.

The Champaign Police Department seeks diverse, committed individuals dedicated to providing the highest quality of service and protection to our community.

With approximately 70,000 calls for service each year, we make it our mission to serve our public by the unwavering protection of all citizens, through unconditional respect and collaborative efforts with our community. We gladly welcome all individuals committed to this same pursuit of service.

Applications for lateral police officers are accepted year-round, and the application window for entry-level police officers opens in January and June of 2020 and 2021. See the drop-down options below for more information on entry-level and lateral police officer hiring. You may also visit the City of Champaign Jobs Page for postings related to civilian positions or to complete a Job Interest Card for future hiring notifications.

Requirements:

• Must be a U.S Citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Must be 21 years of age
• Proof of a high school diploma or equivalent
• Proof of a valid Driver’s License
• No felony convictions. NOTE: Some convictions for misdemeanors or serious traffic offenses may also disqualify applicants from further consideration
• Must successfully complete a written examination, oral interview, and background investigation
• Must successfully complete a medical examination and psychological tests
• $49 non-refundable application fee or apply and qualify for a fee waiver

• STEP 1: Application
• STEP 2: Optional Recruitment Information Session
• STEP 3: Optional Written Exam Study Session and Practice Exam
• STEP 4: Mandatory Orientation and Written Examination
• STEP 5: Oral Board Interview
• STEP 6: Preference Points
• STEP 7: Placement on the Eligibility List
• STEP 8: Chief’s Panel Interview
• STEP 9: Background Investigation
• STEP 10: Police Chief Recommendation for Appointment
• STEP 11: Medical/Psychological Examination
• STEP 12: P.O.W.E.R.Test

If you would like to receive notification of CPD’s next open recruitment for entry-level officers, please complete a job interest card.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION WINDOWS

• January 2-17, 2020
• June 2-17, 2020
• January 4-17, 2021
• June 1-17, 2021

Click here to apply

• Probationary Police Officer: $63,200.80 after a 15-month probationary period: $68,809
• $3,000 residency incentive bonus
• $20,000 term life insurance policy for each full-time employee and the option to purchase additional life insurance through payroll deduction
• 10 paid Holidays
• 24 hours of Personal Leave Credit each fiscal year
• Vacation and Sick leave accrued at 3.69 hours per pay period. Accrual rates for vacation increase with years of service.
• Generous longevity pay based upon completed years of continuous employment with the City
• $35/month health insurance for employee-only coverage; 50% paid health insurance for dependent coverage
• Coverage by the Police Pension Fund
• Option to participate in the City’s deferred compensation 457 Plan administered by the International City Management Association Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC)
• Retirement Health Savings (RHS) program
• Option to join the Champaign Municipal Employees Credit Union
• Uniforms and equipment are provided for all police officers. In addition, each police officer shall be eligible to receive an annual uniform allowance of $700 to be used by the police officer to dry clean his/her uniform or to purchase additional clothing and equipment.

Q: Where/when is the test?

A. Information on each written exam for the new Police Continuous Recruitment pilot can be found on: nationaltestingnetwork.com.

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Q:  How can I prepare for the written exam? 

A. You are encouraged to purchase study material from the National Testing Network at: nationaltestingnetwork.com.  Online practice test $24.95.

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Q:  If I don’t pass the written exam, can I take it again? 

A. Candidates who do not pass the written exam may apply and retest during the next testing cycle.

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Q: I am not available on the date listed for board interviews. Can I have a different interview date and time?

A. No. Scheduling logistics make it impossible for us to accommodate adjustments to the oral interview schedule.

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Q: What should I wear to the interviews?

A. Professional attire is recommended for the interview before the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and the interview with the Chief of Police and the oral interviews.

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Q: When will the candidates know the results of the Board oral interview?

A. The interview results will be tabulated approximately 10-days after the interviews. The initial eligibility list with weights, indicating written and oral board results, will be emailed to candidates via the email you provided to National Testing Network. Scores will not be released over the phone.

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Q: How is the final score for the entire testing process figured?

A. The final testing score is an average of the written and the oral interview scores. Veterans or educational preference points, if applicable, are added to arrive at the final overall score.

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Q: How are the candidates placed on the eligibility list?

A. Candidates are placed on the eligibility list according to their scores in rank order. If a candidate decides to retest in hopes to gain a better written score, the most recent written score is current and valid.

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Q: What happens after the eligibility list is approved?

A. Once the eligibility list is approved, the top candidates will be required to complete a background investigation packet. The background investigation packet pertains to past employment, personal references, driving record, education, training, and criminal history. Following a review of those packets, candidates may be invited to an oral interview with the Police Chief. After the interview, the Police Chief will order a complete background check investigation for the top candidates. The Chief of Police then recommends appointments to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners from the available top thirty candidates on the eligibility list as openings occur.

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Q:  How can I prepare for the POWER test?

A.  Candidates are encouraged to begin preparing for the POWER test well in advance, as the test is pass/fail and only those who pass may enroll in the Police Training Institute.

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Q:  How long is the eligibility list in effect?

A. During this two-year Police Continuous Recruitment pilot, eligibility lists will be recommended for approval in May 2020, September 2020, May 2021, and September 2021.

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Q:  What should I do if my contact information changes?

A. If your address, phone number, or e-mail address changes before the eligibility list has been posted, please contact National Testing Network to update your personal information. If your information changes at any time while the eligibility list is in effect, please contact City of Champaign Human Resources by sending an e-mail to HR@champaignil.gov.

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Q:  Are there any anticipated openings in 2020? 

A. Police Officer vacancies occur from time to time. We anticipate approximately five to ten openings due to normal turnover. Openings are also filled through the City’s experienced officer program.

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Q:  Is there a maximum age limit?

A.  No, there are no maximum age limits for applicants.

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Q:  Do you reimburse for moving expenses?

A.  Champaign Police Officers who establish residency within the City of Champaign will receive a one-time residency incentive reimbursement of $3,000, an amount intended to cover expenses related to moving.

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Q:  I cannot find an answer to my question.  Who may I contact for further questions?

A. Please contact National Testing Network at: nationaltestingnetwork.com.   

• Must be a U.S Citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• At least 21 years of age
• Proof of a high school diploma or equivalent
• Proof of a valid Driver’s License
• Post-probationary status as a police officer in the United States
• In good standing with current department and/or left previous department(s) in good standing.
• Must have substantially equivalent skills and abilities as a City of Champaign post-probationary officer, as determined by the Chief of Police
• Must successfully complete an oral interview and background investigation
• Must successfully complete a medical examination and psychological tests
• No felony convictions. NOTE: Some convictions for misdemeanors or serious traffic offenses may also disqualify applicants from further consideration

Applications for experienced police officers are accepted on an on-going basis and are reviewed weekly. Oral interviews are determined by the hiring needs of the Department. Visit champaignil.gov/jobs to start an application today.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

• Beginning annual salary of $68,809+, commensurate with experience
• $3,000 residency incentive bonus
• $20,000 term life insurance policy for each full-time employee and the option to purchase additional life insurance through payroll deduction
• 10 paid Holidays
• 24 hours of Personal Leave Credit each fiscal year
• Vacation and Sick leave accrued at 3.69 hours per pay period. Accrual rates for vacation increase with years of service.
• Generous longevity pay based upon completed years of continuous employment with the City
• $35/month health insurance for employee-only coverage; 50% paid health insurance for dependent coverage
• Coverage by the Police Pension Fund
• Option to participate in the City’s deferred compensation 457 Plan administered by the International City Management Association Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC)
• Retirement Health Savings (RHS) program
• Option to join the Champaign Municipal Employees Credit Union
• Uniforms and equipment are provided for all police officers. In addition, each police officer shall be eligible to receive an annual uniform allowance of $700 to be used by the police officer to dry clean his/her uniform or to purchase additional clothing and equipment, once the officer has attained Class A status.