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Police Officer Employment - Entry Level
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A CAREER AS A POLICE OFFICER? LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT!
Applications are open until through April 28, 2023.
Click here to start the application process!
Are you currently a police officer in the State of Illinois and certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board? Click here for information about our lateral transfer hiring program.
Entry-Level Police Officer - Interest Form
Eligibility to Become a Police Officer
- Candidates must be at least 20 years of age and under 35 years of age at the time of online wrtten exam, but must be at least 21 years of age and under 36 years of age at time of appointment, pursuant to the Illinois Municipal Code as amended (65 ILCS 5/10-1-1 et seq.).
- Must be an U.S. citizen at the time of appointment.
- Must possess a valid Class “D” Illinois driver’s license or a valid out-of-state driver’s license of similar classification.
- The applicant must have achieved a high school diploma with a grade point average of 2.0 out of 4.0 (or an equivalent on a scale with a maximum grade point average other than 4.0), or a G.E.D. with a passing score equivalent to 2.0 grade point average, or at least sixteen (16) hours of college credit with a grade point average of 2.0 out of 4.0 (or an equivalent on a scale with a maximum grade point average other than 4.0) regardless of high school grade point average or G.E.D. composite score.
- Must be able to meet vision standard at time of appointment. Must be correctable to 20/20 with both eyes open including field of vision/depth perception/color vision within normal ranges.
- Must possess a valid Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) Test card. Certifications will be considered valid within one (1) year of the issuance date.
- Must be of excellent moral character and personal integrity.
- Must able be to pass a subsequent polygraph and psychological examination will be required, in addition to a thorough background investigation, drug screen and per-employment physical.
Salary
Post probation salary $91,312.00 (after six months), plus a full benefit package. For full pay information and benefits, click here.
What Documents Do You Need?
- Birth Certificate
- Valid driver’s license
- Valid Police Officer Physical Ability Report (POWER) Test certification
- Copy of High School Diploma or G.E.D.
- Copy of your college transcript, high school transcript, or G.E.D composite score
- Completed Preference Points Request form, with qualifying documents (if applicable).
Note: There is a non-refundable base fee of $49 for testing and an additional cost for each department where you indicate you want to apply. Payments are made electronically using a credit card. If you are interested in testing for this opportunity but, are unable to pay the fee, please complete the hardship waiver form and return it with the required documentation, as soon as possible.
Link to Hardship Waiver, with qualifying documents (if applicable)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where will the test location(s) be? We use a video-based, job simulation multiple choice exam administered and proctored by National Testing Network. The applicant registers, pays the required fee, and selects which location, in their respective state where they would take the test.
- How long after I test can I expect to be offered a job? There is no definitive answer to this question. We operate under a Civil Service Commission. The commission establishes an eligibility list from those candidates who successfully passed the testing process, and we hire from that eligibility list. Hiring is typically done quarterly, and the number of positions hired is dependent on the number of openings we have due to retirements, resignations, increases in authorized strength, etc. Your placement on the eligibility list relative to the number of openings available will determine when you will be offered a position.
- Can any of the testing phases be missed? No, all phases are mandatory.
- How can I prepare for the physical test/what does it consist of? The physical abilities test is the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board’s (ILETSB) Police Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) test. It measures strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity/cardiovascular endurance — the general components of overall physical fitness. Anything you do to increase these three areas will help, but one of the best ways to prepare for the test is to do the test Click this link for the ILETSB’s publication outlining the POWER test, what it consists of, the standards, and recommendations for preparing to take it.
- Can I study for the written test? The written test is a general aptitude test designed to test your inherent skills and abilities. There are many test guides published that claim to be useful study guides for police written tests. The City of Aurora and the Aurora Police Department neither vouch for nor recommend any of these products.
- What can I do to increase my chances of being hired? The City of Aurora offers preference points that are added to test results to determine final placement on the eligibility list. Those preference points are as follows:
- Aurora Residency: 5 points
- Bachelor Degree: 5 points
- Associate Degree (or 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours): 2 points
- Military service: 5 points for active duty service of more than 180 days
- Total preference points are not cumulative, and can not exceed a total of 10 points.
- Are there any exceptions to the 2.0 GPA or GED minimum composite score?No, but the high school and college GPAs are independent of one another.
- If your high school GPA was under 2.0 but you’ve had at least 16 hours of college credit and your college GPA is 2.0 or higher, you’re eligible.
- If your college GPA is under 2.0, but your high school G.P.A. was 2.0 or higher, you’re eligible.
- A GED with a passing score equivalent to 2.0 grade point average would also make you eligible.
- What if I was home-schooled, am I still eligible? Yes! You must have a GED with a passing score equivalent to 2.0 grade point average and/or have at least 16 hours of college credit with a 2.0 GPA.
- If I’m hired, can I start out in a specialized unit? No. All new officers begin in uniformed patrol division.
- What can I expect when taking the video-based, job simulation multiple choice exam? There are three components to the National Testing Network: a video-based human relations test, a reading ability test, and a report writing test. Testing takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Have Questions or Need More Info?
If you have additional questions regarding the police application, testing and hiring process, please reach out to the Aurora Police Department's Recruiting Team.
Click here to connect with our recruiting team
Phone: (630) 256-COPS (2677)
Email: [email protected]
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APD Recruiting Team
Phone: (630) 256-COPS (2677)