Preparing To Be A Police Officer

Preparing for the Police Officer Hiring Process

Applying to be a police officer can seem like an overwhelming process, but not if you’ve done the prep work in advance.

Requirements

• Must be aged 21 to 35 (see FAQ’s below for exception)
• Must be a US citizen or a permanent resident of the US

AND

• a Bachelor’s Degree, OR
• 60 college credit hours and 3 years active United States military duty; OR
• 60 college credit hours and 3 years as a full-time Police Officer; OR
• 60 college credit hours and 3 years as a full-time employee with the City of Elgin; OR
• 60 college credit hours and have participated in the Elgin Police Explorer Program with at least 4 years of participation and with not less than 400 hours of volunteer time in the program. 
• An associate’s degree of applied science in criminal justice from Elgin Community College. 

Learn more about the hiring process by clicking the button below.

What you’ll need to provide when you apply

• A copy of your driver’s license
• A copy of your birth certificate/naturalization papers
• Your college transcripts/diploma
• Your DD214 for military service
• An online application submitted through our website - set up your application now

Testing Options

You may test using the National Testing Network (see button below) or during one of the upcoming opportunities below at the Elgin Police Department, located at 151 Douglas Avenue. To test during one of these opportunities, complete the application and the City's Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule your testing.

Sunday: February 6, 2022

• 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Check-in
• 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Written Test
• 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Power Test

Monday: February 7, 2022

• 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Check-in
• 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Written Test
• 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Power Test

Tuesday: February 8, 2022

• 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Check-in
• 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Written Test
• 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Power Test

Wednesday: February 9, 2022

• 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Check-in
• 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Written Test
• 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Power Test

Thursday: February 10, 2022

• 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Check-in
• 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Written Test
• 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Power Test

Friday: February 11, 2022

• 5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Check-in
• 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Written Test
• 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Power Test

Saturday: February 12, 2022

• 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Check-in
• 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Written Test
• 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Power Test

POWER Test

PLEASE NOTE: We do not accept POWER cards. You will need to pass the POWER Test facilitated by the Training Division and the City of Elgin’s Human Resources Department. Click here to learn more about the POWER Test.