Police Officer - Lateral and Entry Level

Village of Park Forest

Contact Information

Address:

Website:

• www.villageofparkforest.com

Phone:

• 708-748-1112

Application Deadline:

• 11/30/25
• @ 11:59 PM

Salary:

• Lateral Hires:

  Starting probationary salaries for lateral hires are equivalent to salaries outlined in the current police union contract. They are as follows:

  Illinois Certified Police Officer:

  • 12 months full-time experience - Step B $79,971
  • 24 months full-time experience - Step C $86,756
  • 36 months of full-time experience - Step D $91,929
  • 48 months of full-time experience - Step E $98,713
  • 60 months or more of full time experience - Step F $104,774

  Out-of-state certified police officers (with full-time experience):

  Begin at the contract probationary step salary of $73,986. Upon successful completion of the State of Illinois certification process, their probationary salary will be raised to the step equivalent to their experience as referenced above.

  Vacation Schedule:

  Starting vacation time for lateral officers commiserate with years of experience:

  • 1-4 years (by anniversary date) = 80 hours (pro-rated by date of hire)
  • 5-10 years (by anniversary date) = 120 hours (pro-rated by date of hire)
  • 11-15 (by anniversary date) = 160 hours (pro-rated by date of hire)
  • 16 or more (by anniversary date) = 200 hours (pro-rated by date of hire) 

  Entry Level Hires:

  Probationary Salary: $73,986

  Vacation Schedule:

  Starting vacation time for entry level officers is 80 hours (pro-rated by date of hire)

  Additional Benefits:

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Life insurance
  • Pension
  • Retiree health insurance stipend for 20+ years of service
  • Wellness program 

Sworn:

• 42

Population:

• 21,000

Position Details

The Village of Park Forest's Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is currently conducting a Lateral and Entry Level Police Officer Recruitment.

By participating in the process, applicants may qualify to be placed on the Park Forest Police Department’s  two-year eligibility list.

Additionally, select lateral applicants may be identified to participate in an expedited process should an immediate hiring need necessitate it. 

Applications are being accepted online only and may be completed by clicking on the link at the bottom.

Minimum Requirements at time of hire: 

• High school graduate or equivalent
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Age 21 to 35 before the date of hire unless otherwise provided by State Statue 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6 (applicable to entry level candidates only)
• Ability to successfully pass:
• written test
• oral interview
• background investigation
• psychological examination
• medical examination
• In possession of valid P.O.W.E.R. card or pass the Park Forest Police Department's Physical Fitness Exam (applicable to entry level candidates only)

To complete the process and be considered for a position applicants should:

1.  Review the Park Forest Police Officer Job Description

Click here to view the job description. This document details the job of Police Officer with the Village of Park Forest, including such items as job functions and physical requirements.

2.  Complete an Application for Employment

Complete the application before 11:59 PM on Sunday, November 30. To make your application complete, you will need to include a copy of your: 

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Current P.O.W.E.R. card* (applicable to entry level candidates only)
• Birth Certificate and/or Certificate of Citizenship
• Permanent Resident Card (if applicable)
• DD214 (applicable only to veterans wishing to receive veterans preference points)

* For entry level applicants who do not possess a P.O.W.E.R. card, the Park Forest Police Department will hold a free Fitness Test as follows:

Date and Time:

November 25 at 5:00 PM

Location:

Crete-Monee High School Gym

1515 Sycamore Road

Crete, IL 60417

3.  Attend mandatory Orientation (for entry level officers only, lateral attendance at orientation is optional)

Orientation attendance is mandatory for entry level officers to continue in the testing process. Prior to orientation, entry level candidates must also have provided proof of Power Card or must have passed the physical ability test administered by the Park Forest Police Department on November 25.

Attending orientation is not required for lateral applicants.

Orientation will include information on the Village of Park Forest, the profession of a Park Forest Police Officer, and the recruitment process. It will be held on:

Time:

Thursday, December 4, 2025

6:30 PM - Doors open and check-in begins

7:00 PM - Doors close with no admittance afterwards. Timely arrival is required to proceed in the process.

Location:

Park Forest Village Hall (Board Room)

350 Victory Drive

Park Forest, IL 60466

4. Complete the Written Exam

To enter, candidates must:

• Show a picture ID (preferably a Driver’s License)
• Must have attended orientation (for entry level candidates only)

Time:

Saturday, December 6, 2025

8:30 AM - Doors open

9:00 AM - Test begins

No admittance afterwards. Timely arrival is required to proceed in the process. 

Location:

Park Forest Police Department (Court Room)

200 Lakewood Boulevard

Park Forest, IL 60466

5.  Oral Interviews with the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners

The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners conduct individual interviews. Interviews are expected to be held on December 16. No make-up dates will be offered. Applicants eligible to interview will be notified approximately one week after the written exam. At the time of interview candidates will be photographed and fingerprinted. Any outstanding documents must be presented at the time of interview.

Applications will not be accepted at the Park Forest Police Department. 

Apply

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