Police Officer (Entry Level)

Police Officer (Entry Level)

City of Des Plaines

Des Plaines, IL

Posted Date

5/27/2026

Description

Position Information

Application Deadline:

06/26/26

@ 4:00 PM

Salary:

2025 Salary: $83,347 - $116,236

Benefits:

Generous Health (10% employee premium share), Dental (12% employee premium share), and Vision (20% employee premium share) insurance package, which are detailed here.

Tuition reimbursement program for those obtaining a career applicable associates, bachelor, or graduate degree from an accredited educational institution. Reimbursement of up to two (2) classes per semester; percentage reimbursed is based on grades.

12-hour shift schedule.

Paid-Time Off including Vacation accruals, Sick accruals, Personal Leave accruals (after four years) and Earned Compensatory Time.

Retirement savings options including a Retirement Health Savings plan, 457b, Roth IRA options through MissionSquare and Nationwide.

Police Pension.

Yearly uniform allowance.

Additional compensation for bi-lingual speakers.

Specialty and growth opportunities including:

Detective

Task Force Officer

Evidence Technician

Tactical Response Team

Traffic Unit

Specialized Training and Relations Team

Field Training Officer

Negotiator

K9 Officer

School Resources Officer

Sworn:

98

Population:

60,675

Position Details

Police Officer (Entry Level) Testing NOW AVAILABLE!

EXAMINATION:

The City is proud to partner with National Testing Network (NTN) on the next Police Officer Eligibility Test. NTN provides the ability to apply and test for our department from the comfort of your home and on your schedule. Interested persons must complete testing at the NTN in addition to completing this application. Candidates must complete an examination at the agreed upon time set by NTN and it must be completed BEFORE June 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM. If you schedule to complete your exam after the deadline, you will not be considered eligible for this call for applications. All testing protocols set by NTN are to be strictly adhered to by the candidate. Failure to adhere to the testing guidelines will result in an incomplete application.

Application:

To complete the application, you must visit:

/dppdjobs

Follow the application link here.

Applications must be filled out directly on the City's website. No written or emailed application will be accepted.

You must submit the following documents in addition to the completed application:

Copy of your high school diploma (or GED)

Copy of valid driver's license (both sides)

Copy of birth record as proof of citizenship/residency

Must possess a valid POWER test card issued by a licensed agency. POWER test cards may be obtained from any of the following agencies:

NIPSTA: 2300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL - or ...

Joliet Junior College: 1215 Houbolt Rd., Joliet, IL - email: or ...

All applications and materials must be submitted by June 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS?

For questions pertaining to the application and process, please contact the Des Plaines Police Department at:

...

OR

Email:

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS?

Please contact National Testing Network at:

...

OR

Visit:

/publicsafetyjobs/

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW:

The mission of the Des Plaines Police Department, through the utilization of a Community Based Policing philosophy, is to protect people and property, and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. We preserve the peace in a manner consistent with the freedoms secured by the U.S. Constitution of the United States utilizing a fiscally responsible approach.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

If not already a member, a $55 non-refundable membership fee to National Testing Network (NTN), and/or $12 to participate in City of Des Plaines examination testing

U.S. Resident

High school diploma or equivalent (GED)

Valid driver's license (valid Illinois driver's license by date of hire)

20 to under 35 years of age as of the date of the written exam, but must be 21 prior to appointment, unless otherwise provided by the Rules and Regulations and/or Illinois Statute (e.g., exception for attaining age 35 during military service, exception for certain previous full-time police officer employment)

No felony convictions

Residency in Illinois by date of hire

Must possess a valid POWER test card issued by a licensed agency and dated within six months prior to being called for the background investigation. POWER test cards may be obtained from any of the following agencies:

NIPSTA: 2300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL - or ...

Joliet Junior College: 1215 Houbolt Rd., Joliet, IL - email: or ...

Submission of an online, mailed or in-person application, all required documents listed on the checklist and complete exam by NTN by 4:00 PM on June 26, 2026.

HIRING PROCESS:

Complete the online application at /dppdjobs

Take the examination through the National Testing Network

Complete application and formal request for preference points. Application period closes June 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Final eligibility list is established by the BFPC

Background checks begin in list order. Background checks include:

Completion of a Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)

Completion of a fingerprint background check at the City of Des Plaines Police Department

Completion of a polygraph examination

Background investigation interview with the BFPC

If background investigation is passed, a conditional offer is made.

Psychological interview

Physical examination

Start date established

ELIGIBILITY LIST:

All eligibility lists can be found on the City of Des Plaines website.

Salary

83,347.00 - 116,236.00 Annual

Field

Police

Highest Educational Degree Required

High school diploma or equivalent