Probationary Police Officer

About the role

The City of Litchfield Police and Fire Commission is currently accepting applications for certified and non-certified candidates for the position of Probationary Police Officer.

Certified applicants

For appointments to the position of Police Officer for the City of Litchfield, Illinois, certified applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications and requirements at the time of application:

• Possess a State of Illinois certification by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) with no more than eighty (80) hours of training required by that Board for recertification, if necessary; or certification by the state of employment outside of Illinois provided the certification will be accepted and recognized by the ILETSB with no more than eighty (80) hours of training required by that Board for recertification, if necessary (part-time certification as a law enforcement officer does not meet this requirement).
• Be a U.S. Citizen.
• Have a minimum of two (2) years of full-time experience in good standing with a municipality, county, special or state police department; if experience is outside the State of Illinois, all Out of State Certification requirements must be met.
• Hold a valid driver’s license.
• Be able to furnish, upon request, a copy of the following: a resume; professional license; training certifications; documents confirming work experience; a birth certificate; a high school diploma/GED certificate; higher education transcripts; military service records/discharge paperwork; a release for records from previous employers; any other employment-related materials as requested or required.

Selection process for certified candidates

• Examination held by the City of Litchfield Police and Fire Commission; a roster in order of preference will be created dependent upon applicants’ performance during this evaluation; all other examinations will be pass/fail.
• Character, background and credit check.
• Post-offer examination including, but not limited to: psychological evaluation; medical evaluation; vision screening; drug screening.

Non-certified applicants

Non-certified candidates need only meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. Citizen.
• Be between twenty-one (21) and thirty-five (35) years of age.
• Hold a valid driver’s license.
• Be able to furnish, upon request, a copy of the following: a resume; documents confirming work experience; a birth certificate; a high school diploma/GED certificate; higher education transcripts; military service records/discharge paperwork; a release for records from previous employers; any other employment-related materials as requested or required.

Limitation and effects

• No more than 50% of newly hired Officers shall be from the roster of Certified Officers, unless an immediate need exists.
• The Certified Officer shall serve a probationary period of six months after the completion of field training.
• The Certified Officer shall not gain any seniority over any Officer due to his/her service years’ credit from previous employment with other entities.

Pay

• Starting base pay: $63,729.
• Officers receive base pay increases after completion of probation and after completion of 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service.
• Certified Candidates will be placed into the wage schedule based upon their experience, up to a maximum of 3 years of service, and will receive base pay and time-garnered benefits at that level.
• Current base pay of a 3-year Officer: $68,250.

Schedule

• Officers work a 12-hour shift.
• Schedule is 7 days within a 14-day, bi-weekly pay period.
• Current scheduling offers every other weekend off and working no more than 3 consecutive days.
• Newly hired Officers are required to live within 40 miles of the center of the City of Litchfield but may take home their official vehicles if they reside within the 62056-zip code.

Benefits

• Overtime opportunities.
• Paid holidays.
• Subsidized health insurance.
• Generous paid leave.
• Membership in the Article 3 Downstate Police Pension Fund.