Police Officer Jobs
Being a member of the Oak Park Police Department entails joining a team of more than 100 sworn officer who follow a community-focused policing model and strive to meet the needs of Oak Park residents. Click to expand each section below for additional information.
Oak Park Police Officer Benefits
- Salary: $92,716 for entry level - $124,604 after 4 years/ $112,967 for lateral hires
- Click here to view the complete salary schedule for 2024-26
(PDF, 375KB)
- Signing Bonus: $4,000 signing bonus for each applicant successfully hired as a patrol officer
- Holidays: 14 designated paid holidays in addition to annual vacation, including: birthday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, National Peace Officer Memorial Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and one personal day.
- Shift Schedule: Officers currently work 12-hour shifts beginning at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily
- Parental Leave: Full-time Officers receive six weeks of paid leave for birth, adoption or fostering of child/children
- Education: The Village provides incentives to obtain a level of education beyond an Associate's degree. The application process for a Patrol Officer requires 60 hours.
- Insurance: Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision insurance plans. $50,000 Village-paid term life insurance.
Police Officer Requirements
See below for the minimum requirements needed to apply for a position as an Oak Park Police Officer. Contact jobs@oak-park.us for more information.
- At least 21 years of age and have not passed their 35th birthday by the closing date for application, unless otherwise exempt under Section 6 of the Act, 65 ILCS 5/10-2. /1-6.
- U.S. Citizen who speaks and understands English or is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law or is an individual against whom immigration action has been deferred by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process is authorized to apply for the position of police officer, subject to (i) all requirements and limitations, other than citizenship, to which other applicants are subject and (ii) the individual being authorized under federal law to obtain, carry, or purchase or otherwise possess a firearm.
- Military service may be used toward the college requirements. Every two (2) years of continuous honorable active-duty service shall be considered equivalent to thirty (30) semester credit hours. Therefore, four (4) years of continuous honorable active-duty service shall be considered equivalent to the full sixty (60) semester credit hours, satisfying the entire education requirement. Documentation of military service, including documentation of discharge status (e.g. DD-214 or equivalent) is required.
- Possess at least 60 hours of college credit at a fully accredited college or university and also possess a minimum grade average of “C” by application deadline.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Must have corrected 20/20 vision.
- Possess a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card at time of hire.
Apply Now
Entry-level Officers - Apply Now
- Sign up with Public Safety Testing and complete your OPPD Application HERE.
- Sign up for a Law Enforcement Written Exam through Public Safety Testing. Exams are offered online through PST or in-person on a rolling basis.
Lateral hire police officers are encouraged to contact Human Resources at jobs@oak-park.us for more information.
Police Internships
The Village of Oak Park offers internship opportunities to area university and college students who are interested in learning more about our Progressive 21st Century policing model. The Oak Park Police Department offers full and part-time internship opportunities throughout the year. These unpaid internships give students educational training and hands-on experience in a variety of policing services throughout the Village.
There are no current internship opportunities at this time. Please reach out to hr@oak-park.us with any questions.
Entry-level Police Officer Hiring Process
| Step |
Action |
1
Apply
|
Apply through Public Safety Testing (PST) - select Village of Oak Park and pass both the PST Written Exam with a grade of 70% or higher and the Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) Physical Ability Test. Then submit a complete and up to date Personal History Statement (PHS). Both tests must be passed and your scores released to the Village of Oak Park in order for us to receive them. |
2
Verify
|
Verify that you do not meet any of the Automatic Disqualifying Behavior requirements. To avoid a delay in the application process with our agency, you must complete an up to date, specific and detailed PHS. |
3
Interview
|
After passing the application process, you will be invited to to complete an oral interview via Spark Hire. |
4
Background Check
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A background investigator will conduct an extensive background check, which includes an in-person interview. |
5
Final Steps
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Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment must successfully complete a psychological assessment, drug screening and physical prior to receiving a final offer of employment.
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