1/11/2010
The Civil Service Commission of the City of Decatur will conduct an examination and establish an eligible register for the following classification:
POLICE PATROL OFFICER
Salary Range (effective 5/1/10): $49,096 - Maximum Salary: $64,496
*Does not include longevity pay or pay increases for K-9, Master Patrol Officer or Detective
Applications are available by using the Application Form link above or at the Human Resources Division, Department of Management Services, Second Floor, Decatur Civic Center, #1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois 62523, and must be returned or postmarked by Wednesday, March 31, 2010.
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.
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 physical fitness test, applicant must not be less than 20 years of age or over 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 36 years of age or older with one year of increased age allowed for each year of training or experience. The maximum of such age allowance shall be 4 years. No applicant shall be appointed to the uniformed police until the age of 21 years.
- Applicant must have no felony convictions or any disqualifying misdemeanor convictions identified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.
- 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 US 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. In addition, they will be required to reimburse the City for basic recruit training if they resign within two (2) years following their date of appointment.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS
This process will take approximately sixteen weeks and will consist of the following:
- Physical Fitness Test: All applicants must pass a physical fitness test to be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010. Applicants will be notified of the location and time of their physical fitness test upon receipt of application. The physical fitness 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.
- Written Examination: Applicants passing the physical fitness test must take a written exam, also scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2010. Applicants passing the physical fitness test will be notified of the location and time of the written test. The written examination consists of four sections: Observation and Memory; Written Communication and Report Writing; Reading and Understanding Written Information; and Reasoning and Analytical Ability. Applicants are required to have an average overall score of at least 70.00% and a minimum score of at least 60.00% in any one section.
- Background Investigation: All applicants passing both the physical fitness and written tests will be subject to a background investigation, including fingerprinting, police records check, credit check and inquiries of neighbors, relatives, employers, etc. 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 identified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. See the followin list of convictions:
- Indecent Solicitation of a Child
- Sexual exploitation of a Child
- Prostitution
- Keeping a Place of Prostitution
- Pimping
- Aggravated Assault
- Criminal Sexual Abuse
- Theft: Includes Retail Theft (Shoplifting)
- Deceptive Practices/Worthless Checks
- Impersonation Police or Veteran Fraternal Organizations
- Keeping a Gambling Place
- Offering a Bribe
- Resisting or Obstructing a Police Officer
- Escape
- Aiding Escape
- Harassment of Jurors / Families of Jurors
- Simulating Legal Process
- Manufacturing or Delivery of Cannabis
- Delivery of Cannabis on School Grounds
- Ride-A-Long: Applicants who pass the physical fitness and written tests will be required to participate in a ride-a-long to give them a realistic view of what police patrol officers encounter during regular duty hours. They will be required to write a one page synopsis of their ride-a-long experience.
- Oral Interview: All applicants passing the physical fitness and written exams must pass an oral interview.
- Veteran Points: Eligible veterans may receive 5 veteran preference points added to their final examination score in accordance with State of Illinois and City of Decatur Civil Service laws.
- Physical, Psychological and Polygraph Testing: Applicants placed on the eligible register must pass a physical examination including a drug test by a physician of the Commission's choice following an offer of employment. Applicants will also be subject to a psychological evaluation and a polygraph test. Final appointment is contingent upon the passing of all of these examinations.
- Selection from Eligibility Register: Applicants who are placed on the eligible register will be selected by the Chief of Police.
DUTIES
Work involves protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances, and general police assignment 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
Employees must establish residency within 40 miles of the corporate limits of the City of Decatur within 90 days following the completion of their probationary period. This position requires a one-year probationary period.
BENEFITS
| Base Rates: (as of 5/1/10) |
$49,096 starting rate $50,330 after 6 months $51,549 after 1 year $55,185 after 2 years |
$57,943 after 3 years $62,016 after 4 years $64,496 after 7 years |
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| Sergeant: (as of 5/1/10) |
$73,955 starting base rate $79,154 after 6 months |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 50 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 a $25,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee. Dependent coverage (spouse -$2000, children to age 21-$1000) is offered. There is shift differential pay for 2nd and 3rd shifts, and uniforms are provided by the City (except weapons). | ||
| Apply: | Application Form or in person at City of Decatur Human Resources Division #1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza Decatur, Illinois 62523 Phone: 217/424-2805 |
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