Lateral Police Officer

River Forest Police Department

Contact Information

Address:

Website:

• www.vrf.us/departments/Careers/Lateral-Police-Officer.html

Phone:

• 708-714-3561

Application Deadline:

• NA

Salary:

• Starting:

  • over 5 years of qualifying service: $92,746
  • 2 to 5 years of qualifying service: $88,634

  Top Patrol Salary: $114,339

  Sergeant Salary: $131,338

  Starting May 1, 2025:

  • over 5 years of qualifying service: $95,760
  • 2 to 5 years of qualifying service: $91,515

  Top Patrol Salary: $118,055

  Sergeant Salary: $135,606

  ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION OPPORTUNITIES:

  • SPECIALIST PAY- Annually
  • Corporal - $3,420
  • Field Training Officer - $1,800
  • Vehicle Officer-in-Charge - $1,800 
  • Detective - $1,800 
  • Training Officer - $1,800 
  • School Resource Officer - $1,800
  • EDUCATION INCENTIVE: Officers are eligible for this benefit only after completing their probationary period.
  • Associate’s Degree: $1,000
  • Bachelor’s Degree: $1,500
  • Master’s Degree: $1,750
  • UNIFORM ALLOWANCE - $1,000 per year with $425 carryover

  SPECIALTY POSITIONS:

  The River Forest Police department is also able to provide training and opportunities in several areas including:
  

  Firearms Instructor	Evidence Technician
  Armorer	Field Training Officer
  Bicycle Officer	Rifle Instructor
  Breath Alcohol Operator	Hostage Negotiations
  Defensive Tactics Instructor	Juvenile Officer
  Child Passenger Safety Technician	Lead Homicide Investigator
  Crisis Intervention Team	Less Lethal Instructor
  School Resource Officer	NARCAN Instructor
  Elderly Services Officer	Peer Support
  Narcotics Investigator	Rapid Deployment Instructor
  Shield Instructor	Truck Enforcement
  Honor Guard	Drone Pilot

  Officers are also assigned to task forces throughout the region, including:

  • Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) Mobile Field Force
  • West Suburban Drug and Gang Initiative (WEDGE)
  • West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force (WESTAF) Investigations Team
  • West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force (WESTAF) Forensics Team 
  • West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force (WESTAF) Major Crash Team

  BENEFITS:

  • INSURANCE PROGRAM - Several excellent program options of health and insurance currently exist in the Village of River Forest. A life insurance policy is provided equivalent to the officer's current base salary rate with an option for the employee to purchase up to an additional life insurance at excellent rates.
  • PENSION PLAN FOR POLICE OFFICERS
  • 5/2-5/3 WORK SCHEDULE; 8.5 HOUR Shifts
  • VACATION PROGRAM
  • After 1 year of service: 12 shifts
  • After 5 years: 15 shifts
  • After 10 years: 20 shifts
  • After 15 years: 25 shifts
  • PERSONAL TIME - 3 personal days off per year with pay
  • HOLIDAYS - 12 automatically paid holidays (If worked, an additional 4 hours premium pay, for 6 of the Holidays)
  • SICK LEAVE - Employees earn 1 day per month and may accumulate up to 240-8 hour days.
  • BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 5 days leave with pay are available upon the death of anyone in the immediate family.
  • RESIDENCY - The River Forest Police Department has no residency or geographical boundary requirement prior to employment.

Sworn:

• 29

Population:

• 11,717

Position Details

We currently have an immediate opening with the potential of future hiring opportunities.

EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY:

The River Forest Police Department has invested heavily in technology. The Village has a vast network of cameras to provide enhanced community safety. The camera system acts as a force multiplier for police. Officers can operate and view the system on workstations in the Department and remotely from the in-car computers. The system will continue to expand in the future.

Advanced License Plate Reader systems are strategically deployed in fixed locations throughout the Village. The systems are also deployed on police cars to augment officers’ abilities to locate and investigate stolen vehicles, wanted offenders, habitual traffic offenders, and more.

The Department also has an on-site firearms training range. Officers have access to the range for state qualifications and firearm proficiency training. Officers work with certified range instructors on advanced exercises and techniques throughout the year. The range is receiving significant upgrades to the computerized target systems in August 2023.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION:

The Village of River Forest was incorporated in 1880. According to the 2020 census, the population of the community is 11,717 with 4,040 housing units. The median family income in 2020 was $129,263. The Village consists mainly of residential single-family homes, with some multi-family housing. There are commercial areas, primarily bordering North Avenue, Madison Street, and Harlem Avenue. The Lake Street corridor is home to a large outdoor shopping district. The Village is home to two private universities and a private high school. The Village has a Metra stop and is in walking distance of both the CTA Green and Blue Lines. In addition, the Village is less than one-mile away from the I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway) at both the Harlem and Des Plaines Avenue entrances/exits. The Village borders the communities of Oak Park, Forest Park, Elmwood Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, and the city of Chicago.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants must be certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB).
• At the time of application, applicants must have been employed as a full-time sworn law enforcement officer, for a minimum of 24 months, of a regular police department in any municipal, county, university, or State law enforcement agency, provided they are certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at time of application.
• As one of the conditions for hire as a River Forest Police Officer, applicants must possess a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours from an accredited College or University.
• Character Requirements: As set forth and required by 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6.
• Applicants must submit proof of a valid Firearms Owners Identification Card (FOID).
• Applicants must submit proof that they have passed the Illinois Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) Test within a year of the exam date. Candidates will be reimbursed by the Village for POWER Test fee if hired.

Important Dates:

Apply online here:

https://www.vrf.us/departments/Careers/Lateral-Police-Officer.html

When applying, you will need to upload the following documentation:

• A copy of your Driver’s License
• Birth Certificate
• College Transcript(s) or documentation establishing your enrollment in a College or University. A copy of your diploma will not be accepted.
• Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Certificate
• Firearms Owners Identification Card (FOID)
• Power Test Card issued within a year of the exam date

Written Examination:

Applicants who qualify will be notified of the exact time and location for the examination.

Selection Process:

Applicants must successfully pass:

• Background investigation and credit check
• Polygraph Examination
• Post-offer examinations to include:
• Psychological evaluation
• Medical examination
• Drug screening

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