Police Officer - Lateral Hire

Application deadline: September 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM (CDT).

About the role

The City of Aurora Police Department is seeking experienced Police Officers for lateral entry. This position is for candidates who are currently employed for a minimum of two (2) years with their agency as a full-time Sworn Municipal Officer, Illinois State Trooper, or County Sheriff's Deputy (Patrol/Road Division). Candidates must be off probationary status and in good standing with their current agency.

The Aurora Police Department offers opportunities in various specialized units, including:

• Community Policing
• Real Time Intelligence Center
• Crisis Intervention Unit (full-time police social work unit with embedded social workers)
• Full-Time Sworn Evidence Technicians
• Investigations (Domestic Violence, Major Crimes, Property Crimes, US Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Task Force)
• Special Operations Group (Drugs, Gangs, Vice, Task Forces with ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, and ISP Drug Task Force)
• Traffic Unit
• Part-Time Special Response Team (including Crisis Negotiators and Drone Team)
• Honor Guard
• Pipes and Drums

The department has 327 sworn officers and serves a population of 200,000.

Requirements

• Must possess a State of Illinois Law Enforcement Certification from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board as a law enforcement officer in good standing (part-time certification does not meet this requirement).
• Must be at least 23 years old and under 40 years old at the time of hire.
• Must possess a High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen at the time of appointment.
• Must possess a valid Class “D” driver's license.
• Must possess a valid Illinois FOID card.
• Must exhibit good moral character and have not been convicted of any felony. Persons with a record of misdemeanor convictions may be disqualified as per 65 ILCS 5/ Article 10-1-7(c). Certain misdemeanor convictions may disqualify candidates.
• Must possess a current P.O.W.E.R Test card from an ILETSB entity, issued within the last 6 months. The card must be presented no later than 14 calendar days after entering the official Background Phase.

Selection Process

The selection process will include the following components:

• Orientation
• Panel interview
• Psychological assessment
• In-depth background investigation
• Pre-employment medical examination

Tattoo Policy

• Tattoos on the head, neck, and facial area are prohibited.
• Hand tattoos are not allowed, with very limited exceptions requiring approval from the Chief of Police.
• Tattoos elsewhere on the body are permitted if they are not objectionable or demeaning to the department’s image. Factors include nature, number, size, and location.
• Examples of prohibited tattoos include those containing nudity, profanity, gang-related imagery, criminal, obscene, sexual, racial content, or anything detracting from the professional image of a law enforcement officer.
• Covering objectionable tattoos with makeup, sleeves, or bandages does not comply with this policy.
• All tattoos must be covered for court appearances.

Pay

Starting salary: $112,819.20.

Benefits

• 8-hour shifts
• Annual pay increases
• Medical, vision, dental, and life insurance
• Retiree health care
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid time off, including vacation days, designated holidays, floating holidays, and sick leave
• On-site gym and health club membership reimbursement
• Uniform allowance (as determined by collective bargaining agreement)
• Reporting pay stipend (pensionable)
• Interpreter stipend (if applicable)
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities