Police Officer
City of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
Police Officer
The City of Chicago is currently seeking qualified Police Officer candidates for the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) upcoming 2026 academy classes. Chicago has the second‑largest Police Department in the nation, with over 12,000 officers dedicated to protecting the lives, property, and rights of all people. We accomplish this through professionalism, innovation, and a progressive approach to community relational policing.
To provide candidates with the most flexibility, the Chicago Police Department will be offering online computer‑based testing options. You can take the exam at testing centers throughout the nation or even from your home.
Officers receive a competitive starting salary of 61,782 USD that increases to 93,186 USD annually after just 18 months. Benefits include regularly scheduled salary increases, city‑subsidized medical and dental insurance, holidays, tuition reimbursement, retirement savings and pension plans.
Officers have lateral and promotional opportunities in numerous divisions within the department. Regardless of the assignment, you will work in an environment that fosters leadership, teamwork, and service to the community.
No prior law enforcement experience is required. Upon employment, you will attend a 6‑month paid police academy which will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career.
Essential Duties
Build community trust and confidence through day‑to‑day interactions.
Work to resolve conflicts through effective communication.
Communicate effectively with people from various social and cultural backgrounds.
Monitor environment and crime conditions of an assigned geographic area using routine patrol methods.
Respond to incidents as required.
Gather relevant information at an incident to conduct a preliminary investigation.
Document and secure any personal property taken into custody.
Apprehend suspected violators of the law using arrest or citation procedures.
Actively pursue suspected law violators using search and containment methods.
Process suspected law violators using arrest and booking procedures.
Enforce state and municipal traffic laws using arrest and citation procedures.
Gather information at traffic crash scenes to conduct preliminary investigations.
Use hand signals to direct traffic when signals are not working.
Comply with department rules, regulations, policies, and all federal, state, and municipal laws.
Appear in court and present testimony.
Perform the role safely, effectively, and in accordance with local, state, and federal law as well as CPD policy and procedures.
Perform other duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Must be at least 20 years old. The exam administrator will verify age; candidates under 20 cannot take the exam.
Cannot enter the Police Academy until age 21; if you turn 40 at any point before entry, you will be disqualified.
The City appoints no person after their 40th birthday to a probationary Police Officer position.
At entry into the Police Academy, candidates must meet the minimum education or military requirements listed below.
Education/Military Service: at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) from an accredited institution (Documentation Required), or one of the following qualifications may waive this requirement:
Served two consecutive years on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces with an honorable discharge.
Completed at least 30 semester hours and served one continuous year on active duty.
At least two years of full‑time employment as a peace officer.
At least three years of full‑time employment as a correctional, detention, licensed professional security, or private security contractor within the last four years.
At least three years of full‑time employment in the professional trade industry within the last four years.
At least three years of full‑time employment providing paraprofessional work experience in social services, health care, or education within the last four years.
Successful completion of the City Colleges of Chicago Pathway to Policing program.
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
Fully vaccinated per Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board requirements.
U.S. citizen or legal resident at the time of entry to the Police Academy.
Actual resident of the City of Chicago at entry.
Valid State of Illinois driver’s license at entry.
Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card issued by the State of Illinois at entry.
Ability to safely handle and use a department‑approved firearm.
Pass all examinations mandated by state law to receive certification as a Peace Officer.
Successfully complete academy training program.
Pass background investigation and all required pre‑employment procedures.
Application Period
Monday, April 27, 2026, 12:01 AM (00:01) CST through Thursday, December 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM (23:59) CST.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Chicago Police Department is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and seeks candidates that reflect our communities’ broad cross‑sections. We are seeking effective problem‑solvers, critical thinkers, and good communicators with the ability to interact with all members of the community and perform the role safely, effectively, and following local, state, and federal law as well as CPD policy and procedures. The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.
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The City of Chicago is currently seeking qualified Police Officer candidates for the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) upcoming 2026 academy classes. Chicago has the second‑largest Police Department in the nation, with over 12,000 officers dedicated to protecting the lives, property, and rights of all people. We accomplish this through professionalism, innovation, and a progressive approach to community relational policing.
To provide candidates with the most flexibility, the Chicago Police Department will be offering online computer‑based testing options. You can take the exam at testing centers throughout the nation or even from your home.
Officers receive a competitive starting salary of 61,782 USD that increases to 93,186 USD annually after just 18 months. Benefits include regularly scheduled salary increases, city‑subsidized medical and dental insurance, holidays, tuition reimbursement, retirement savings and pension plans.
Officers have lateral and promotional opportunities in numerous divisions within the department. Regardless of the assignment, you will work in an environment that fosters leadership, teamwork, and service to the community.
No prior law enforcement experience is required. Upon employment, you will attend a 6‑month paid police academy which will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career.
Essential Duties
Build community trust and confidence through day‑to‑day interactions.
Work to resolve conflicts through effective communication.
Communicate effectively with people from various social and cultural backgrounds.
Monitor environment and crime conditions of an assigned geographic area using routine patrol methods.
Respond to incidents as required.
Gather relevant information at an incident to conduct a preliminary investigation.
Document and secure any personal property taken into custody.
Apprehend suspected violators of the law using arrest or citation procedures.
Actively pursue suspected law violators using search and containment methods.
Process suspected law violators using arrest and booking procedures.
Enforce state and municipal traffic laws using arrest and citation procedures.
Gather information at traffic crash scenes to conduct preliminary investigations.
Use hand signals to direct traffic when signals are not working.
Comply with department rules, regulations, policies, and all federal, state, and municipal laws.
Appear in court and present testimony.
Perform the role safely, effectively, and in accordance with local, state, and federal law as well as CPD policy and procedures.
Perform other duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Must be at least 20 years old. The exam administrator will verify age; candidates under 20 cannot take the exam.
Cannot enter the Police Academy until age 21; if you turn 40 at any point before entry, you will be disqualified.
The City appoints no person after their 40th birthday to a probationary Police Officer position.
At entry into the Police Academy, candidates must meet the minimum education or military requirements listed below.
Education/Military Service: at least 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) from an accredited institution (Documentation Required), or one of the following qualifications may waive this requirement:
Served two consecutive years on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces with an honorable discharge.
Completed at least 30 semester hours and served one continuous year on active duty.
At least two years of full‑time employment as a peace officer.
At least three years of full‑time employment as a correctional, detention, licensed professional security, or private security contractor within the last four years.
At least three years of full‑time employment in the professional trade industry within the last four years.
At least three years of full‑time employment providing paraprofessional work experience in social services, health care, or education within the last four years.
Successful completion of the City Colleges of Chicago Pathway to Policing program.
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
Fully vaccinated per Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board requirements.
U.S. citizen or legal resident at the time of entry to the Police Academy.
Actual resident of the City of Chicago at entry.
Valid State of Illinois driver’s license at entry.
Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card issued by the State of Illinois at entry.
Ability to safely handle and use a department‑approved firearm.
Pass all examinations mandated by state law to receive certification as a Peace Officer.
Successfully complete academy training program.
Pass background investigation and all required pre‑employment procedures.
Application Period
Monday, April 27, 2026, 12:01 AM (00:01) CST through Thursday, December 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM (23:59) CST.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Chicago Police Department is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and seeks candidates that reflect our communities’ broad cross‑sections. We are seeking effective problem‑solvers, critical thinkers, and good communicators with the ability to interact with all members of the community and perform the role safely, effectively, and following local, state, and federal law as well as CPD policy and procedures. The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.
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