Police Recruitment

 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.

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Champaign Police are looking for dedicated and diverse individuals for our team. committed to providing quality service and protection to our community.

Champaign Police respond to around 50,000 calls for service each year. Our mission is to protect all community members through service and collaboration. We welcome all applicants who share our dedication to serving others.

We accept applications for both new and experienced (lateral) police officers year-round. Use the drop-down options below to learn more about the hiring process. You may also visit the City of Champaign Jobs Page for postings related to civilian positions. Complete a Job Interest Card for future hiring notifications.

• The purpose of the Experienced Officer Incentive Program is to facilitate the immediate recruitment of a diverse pool of qualified, experienced Police Officers to join the Champaign Police Department.
• A $20,000 incentive will be provided for qualified experienced (“lateral”) Police Officers who accept employment with the City of Champaign prior to December 31, 2025, and who remain employed on a full time, regular basis for a period of at least three years (excluding time spent on duty injury leave, unpaid leave longer than 30 days, or disciplinary suspension)
• More information: Temporary Hiring Experienced Police Officer Incentive Program
• Agreement: Experienced Officer Hiring Incentive and Repayment Agreement

• 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. Start an application online 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  $83,019.30 – 88,038.30 , commensurate with experience
• $7,000 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
• 11 paid Holidays
• 30 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 $900 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.

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
• Some convictions, misdemeanors or serious traffic offenses may disqualify applicants from further consideration if there is a substantial relationship between the criminal history and the position of Entry Level Police Officer
• Must successfully complete a written examination, oral interview, and background investigation
• Must successfully complete a medical examination and psychological tests
• The City of Champaign will cover application fees for any applicant

• Step 1: Application online through the National Testing Network
• Step 2: Written Exam
• Step 3: Assessment of Preference Points
• Step 4: Placement on Eligibility List
• Step 5: Interview the Police Chief’s Interview Panel
• Step 6: Background Investigation
• Step 7: Police Chief Recommendation for Appointment
• Step 8: Pre-employment Testing, including:
  • Medical Records Review
  • Medical Assessment
  • Psychological Assessment

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

Applications are taken on a continuous basis. Applications are pulled the 13th of each month for review. Click here to apply.

• Probationary Police Officer: $78,000.00; after a 15-month probationary period: $83,019.30
• $7,000 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
• 11 paid Holidays
• 30 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 $900 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 through the National Testing Network.

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Q:  How can I prepare for the written exam? 

A. You are encouraged to purchase study materials from the National Testing Network.

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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 with the National Testing Network may apply and retest. 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 should I wear to the interviews?

A. Professional attire is recommended for the interview with the Police Chief’s Interview Panel.

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

A. The final testing score is calculated by adding the score of the written exam and applicable preference points.

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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 at the beginning of each month. 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 each month, 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 interview with the Police Chief’s Interview Panel. After the interview, the Police Chief will order a complete background investigation for the top candidates. The Chief of Police then makes a recommendation for hire.

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Q:  How can I prepare for the POWER test?

A. The police academy requires that all police candidates pass the POWER test at the beginning of the training. Please see nationaltestingnetwork.com for the Power test requirements.

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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 monthly.

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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 [email protected].

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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 up to $10,000, 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.