Police Officer Hiring & Training Process

Patrol Officer Job Announcement and Application Form

Examination Process

The examination process to become a Decatur Police Officer will take approximately sixteen (16) weeks and will consist of the following:

1. Review of Qualifications: Applications will be evaluated upon receipt by the Human Resources staff. Applicants not meeting the minimum qualifications as outlined in the Qualifications Page will not be allowed to continue in the examination process.
2. Physical Fitness Test: All applicants MUST pass a physical fitness test. You will be notified of the time and location of your physical fitness test following the review of qualifications. The physical fitness test will be conducted by the Universal Fitness Network, a company specializing in police officer physical fitness testing.
3. Written Examination: Applicants passing the physical fitness test must take a written exam.
4. Background Investigation: All applicants passing the written test will be subject to a background investigation, including fingerprinting, police records check (criminal and traffic), 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, by Illinois State Law, a felony conviction precludes appointment as a police officer.
5. Oral Interview: All applicants passing the written examination and background investigation must pass an oral interview.
6. Physical Examination: Applicants placed on the eligible register must pass a physical examination by a physician of the Commission's choice following an offer of employment. Final appointment is contingent upon passing of this physical examination. Applicants will be subject to a drug screening.
7. Psychological Exam: Applicants placed on the eligible register must pass a Psychological examination by a Psychologist of the Commission's choice following an offer of employment. Final appointment is contingent upon passing of this Psychological examination.
8. Veteran's Points: Veteran's Points: Eligible veterans may receive veteran preference points added to their final examination score in accordance with State of Illinois and City of Decatur Civil Service Laws.

Physical Fitness Test

The physical fitness test will include the following:

1. Sit and Reach Test: This test measures flexibility, the range of motion of a joint or group of joints.
2. One Minute Sit-up Test: This test measures muscular endurance, the ability to contract the muscle repeatedly over a period of time.
3. One Repetition Maximum Bench Press Test: This test measures muscular strength, the amount of tension a muscle can exhibit in one maximal contraction.
4. 1.5 Mile Run Test: This test measures cardiovascular endurance, the ability of the heart and vascular system to transport oxygen.

Written Examination

A large part of a police officer's job involves report writing, reading and interpreting divisional rules and regulations, state statutes, etc. This written exam is designed to measure the Candidate's abilities in these areas. The exam will be comprised of four separate sections. Candidates must pass all four sections of the test with at least a 70% or higher score.