To apply for the position and sign up for the written test, applicants should go to the National Testing Network (NTN) web page: www.nationaltestingnetwork.com and complete a National Testing Network application.

In addition, applicants are required to complete a City of Decatur employment application which may be found online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/decaturil. You will be required to create a username & password with Government Jobs to submit your application.

The close date for this application process is set for Friday, August 2nd, 2019. If it is determined that the closing date needs to be extended, a notification will be placed on the City’s careers page; https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/decaturil.

Candidates can continue to apply/test after this date for the next application process.

Once on the National Testing Network web page, applicants need to select “Law Enforcement Jobs” and Decatur, IL Police Department. Applicants are also required to complete the Personal History Questionnaire and pass the written test PRIOR to the close of the application process. Selection of candidates will be made according to the Civil Service laws for cities, as modified by the City Code of the City of Decatur, Illinois.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an equal opportunity employer, the City of Decatur encourages all potential applicants, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, to apply for positions with the City of Decatur Police Department. Minorities are encouraged to apply.

Salary Information:

POLICE PATROL ANNUAL BASE RATE (effective January 1st, 2019)

• $59,686 starting rate $61,185 after 6 months
• $62,668 after 1 year
• $67,087 after 2 years
• $70,441 after 3 years
• $75,392 after 4 years
• $78,407 after 7 years

POLICE SERGEANT ANNUAL BASE RATE

(effective January 1st, 2019)

• $89,907 starting base rate $96,226 after 6 months
• LONGEVITY 2% of base rate after 5 years
• 4% of base rate after 10 years
• 6% of base rate after 15 years
• 9% of base rate after 20 years
• 12% of base rate after 25 years

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS

• K-9 Patrol - 5% of base in addition to base rate & longevity
• Investigations - 10% of base in addition to base rate & longevity
• Master Patrol - 5% in addition to base rate & longevity
• There is shift differential pay for 2nd and 3rd shifts, and uniforms are provided by the City (except weapons).

Benefit Information:

• VACATION: 2 weeks after completion of 1 year of service;
• 3 weeks after completion of 7 years of service;
• 4 weeks after completion of 14 years of service;
• 5 weeks after completion of 20 years of service;
• 6 weeks after completion of 25 years of service.

PENSION:

• Excellent pension benefits; retirement at 50% of salary at age 55 with 20 years of service, to a maximum of 75% of salary at 30 years. The City contributes to the Police Pension Fund. Police Officers also contribute at the rate of 9.91% of gross pay. Employee contributions are refundable if employment ends before retirement. Police Officers do not contribute to Social Security; however, they contribute to Medicare at the rate of 1.45% of gross pay.
• OTHER: The City offers Preferred Provider Option (PPO) health insurance coverage for employees and their dependents. Employees contribute to the cost for single coverage and/or family coverage through payroll deduction. The City provides group life insurance in the amount of $25,000 for each employee at no cost to the employee. Dependent coverage is available. Employees may participate in a voluntary group dental insurance plan and a voluntary group vision plan. Deferred compensation is also available.

Department Overview:

Mission of the Decatur Police Department

The Decatur City Code identifies the responsibility of the Decatur Police Department as the protection of life and property, the protection of rights of persons, the enforcement of ordinances and regulations and the preservation of peace, order, and safety. With the City Code as mandate for service, the Departmental responsibilities or mission statement of the Decatur Police Department are identified as:

• To prevent and repress crime.
• To detect criminal activity and to apprehend offenders.
• To protect life and property.
• To facilitate the safe movement of people and vehicles.
• To assist those in danger, those who cannot care for themselves and those in need of assistance.
• To protect individual constitutional rights.
• To resolve conflict threatening to life and property.
• To create and maintain a feeling of security in the community.

Area Information:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur,_Illinois
• https://www.thrivedecatur.com/
• http://www.decaturmagazine.com/
• Population: 72,706 (2016) 

For more information please contact :

Angie Roberts or Penny Rogers at the Human Resources Department: (217) 424-2805

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS :

To be eligible to take part in the application process for Police Patrol Officer, applicants must possess the following qualifications:

• At the time of the application close date of Friday, August 2nd, 2019, applicant must not be less than twenty-one (21) years of age or over thirty-five (35) years of age; provided, however, that in cases where an applicant has had special training or experience in police-related work, the Commission may, at its discretion, accept applicants thirty-six (36) years of age or older with one (1) year of increased age allowed for each year of actual service. The maximum of such age allowance shall be four (4) years.
• Applicant must have no felony convictions. Applicants with a record of misdemeanor convictions may be disqualified from taking examinations as set forth in 65 ILCS 5/10-1-7(c). Applicant may not be prohibited by any court action and/or state or federal statute from carrying a firearm.
• Applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• At time of appointment, a Police Patrol Officer must be a United States citizen and must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license.
• Prior to appointment, eligible applicants must be accepted for membership in the Decatur Police Pension Fund.
• Generally, applicants must also be in good health, be of good moral character and not possess an adverse police record.
• Applicants should possess physical strength and agility sufficient to handle aggressive situations, be able to work under adverse weather conditions, be able to think and act quickly in emergency situations and possess good general intelligence and emotional stability.

**SPECIAL NOTE**, Police Patrol Officers may be required to maintain physical fitness standards throughout their careers.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS :

Written Examination:

The written examination may be taken at any of the National Testing Network locations. To view the full list of testing locations visit: https://www.nationaltestingnetwork.com/publicsafetyjobs/testing-locations.cfm,.

Applicants are responsible for the cost of the written test and application through the National Testing Network. Applicants who are unable to afford the cost of the written test may apply for a waiver by completing the National Testing Network Fee Waiver Request Form.

Applicants must pass this test to continue in the process. The written test consists of four components: written language ability, multiple-choice writing, multiple-choice reading, and video scenarios. These four components are scored in the following three categories: video, writing and reading. Applicants must score 65.00% on video and 70.00% on writing and reading.

Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) Test:

This test must be completed prior to the oral interview. Test dates will be announced once the application process has closed. POWER tests may also be completed prior to the close of the application process at the convenience of the applicant and the Department.

The test will include the following:

• Sit and Reach Test: This test measures flexibility, the ability of a joint to move through its full range of motion.
• 1-Minute Sit-up Test: This test measures muscular endurance, the ability to contract the muscle repeatedly over a period of time.
• 1 Repetition Maximum Bench Press Test: This test measures muscular strength, the amount of force a muscle can produce with a single maximum effort.
• 1.5 Mile Run Test: This test measures cardiovascular endurance, the ability to perform prolonged, large muscle, dynamic exercise at moderate-to-high levels of intensity.
• Additional information regarding the physical fitness test can be found at: www.ptb.state.il.us/media/1251/power.pdf

Preliminary Background Investigation:

A preliminary background investigation will be completed prior to the oral interview. Candidates can be eliminated based on adverse information.

Oral Interview:

Applicants remaining in the process will be scheduled for an oral interview and must pass to continue in the process.

In-Depth Background Investigation:

The position of police officer requires a great deal of public trust and carries a tremendous amount of responsibility. In addition to the Personal History Questionnaire, applicants must complete a Police Patrol Officer Applicant Background Questionnaire and return it by the due date. Candidates must be of good moral character and will be subject to a thorough background investigation, including, but not limited to, police records check, credit check, inquiries of neighbors, relatives, work history, and other references. Candidates may be eliminated from the process at any time based on information obtained from the background investigation. This includes information discovered about the candidate that would reflect negatively upon the Decatur Police Department if the candidate was hired. A conviction record may be considered on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily disqualify a candidate. However, Illinois State law precludes appointment as a police officer with any felony conviction or any disqualifying conviction as set forth in 65 ILCS 5/10-1-7(c). As part of the background investigation process, applicants will be mandated to participate in a ride-along. They will be required to write a one-page synopsis of their ride-along experience. Candidates are expected to dress in business casual clothing for the ride-along. T-shirts, jeans and shorts are prohibited. Applicants that do not participate in the ride-along will be eliminated from the pre-employment process.

Veteran Points:

Eligible veterans may receive 5 veteran preference points added to their final examination score in accordance with 65 ILCS 5/10-1-16.

Selection from Eligibility Register:

Applicants who are placed on the eligible register will be selected by the Chief of Police. Physical, Drug Screen, and Psychological Evaluation: Applicants selected off of the eligible register must pass a physical examination, drug screening, and psychological evaluation. Final appointment is contingent upon passing all of these components.

DUTIES:

Work involves protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances, and general police assignments including field patrol, preliminary complaint and criminal investigation, traffic control and accident investigation. Duties involve an element of personal danger and require that Police Patrol Officers act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies.

RESIDENCY :

Police Patrol Officers shall reside within the corporate limits of Macon County, or within the corporate limits of any municipality extending into Macon County within 90 days following the completion of their probationary period. This position requires a one-year probationary period.