Lateral Transfer Police Patrol Officer
Residency, Benefits & General Information

Lateral Transfer Application Form

Residency

Employees must establish residency within 40 miles of the corporate limits of Decatur, Illinois within 90 days following the completion of their probationary period. This position requires a one year probationary period.

Benefits

BASE SALARY: Patrol Officer $49,096 to $62,617 effective 5/1/2010.

LONGEVITY: Longevity is contractually a percentage of the base pay, based on years of service. The longevity increases are at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service and increase the Patrol Officers salary up to $72,235 for a Patrol Officer, effective 5/1/2010.

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS: K-9 Patrol - 5% of base in addition to base rate & longevity. Master Patrol - 5% in addition to base rate & longevity. Investigations - 10% of base in addition to base rate & longevity.

SERGEANT: Sergeant starting base rate is $73,955 and increases to up to $79,153 after 6 months. Longevity increases that top end pay range to $88,652.

VACATIONS: 2 weeks after one year of service; 3 weeks after 7 years of service; 4 weeks after 14 years of service; 5 weeks after 20 years of service; 6 weeks after 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: 13 holidays per year, compensatory time optional in lieu of overtime, hospitalization and life insurance paid by the City of Decatur for employees, with dependent coverage available; paid sick leave; optional retirement fund; optional flex spending fund; option dental coverage; shift differential pay for 2nd and 3rd shifts; uniforms provided by the City (except for weapons).

General Information

Decatur is a city located in Central Illinois, and serves as an industrial/retail center. The Decatur Police Department has an authorized strength of 164 sworn officers. More specific information about the Decatur Police Department follows.

1. Shift Schedule: The Police Department operates on three shifts: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Shift differential is paid for hours worked between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
2. Training Program: Officers who have not yet received formal police training will be sent to a police training facility for a period as specified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Officers will be on pay status during this time. In addition, all officers must take part in the department's field training program. This program is generally 14 weeks. In addition, all officers must meet the requirement of the Use of Force Management System training program which includes mandatory direct exposure to oleoresin capsicum, periodic firearms qualification and other less than lethal training as required in the training curriculum.
3. Probation and Evaluation: There is a one year probation period for this position. Civil Service evaluations are given at five, seven, nine and twelve months. During the field training program, which is a self paced program normally lasting approximately 4-6 months in length, you are evaluated on a daily basis by your assigned Field Training Officer and on a weekly basis by your Field Training Sergeant. Further field training program training and evaluation continues throughout your probationary period.
4. Uniforms: Uniform clothing that is furnished by the City consists of a combination uniform car coat/jacket, rain clothing, six (6) pair of trousers or slacks, three (3) winter shirts or blouses, three (3) summer shirts or blouses, one (1) hat, a Sam Browne belt and holster and a tie.
5. Other Equipment: In addition to uniforms, the City will provide you with ammunition, Taser and Taser holster, Oleoresin Capsicum spray and holder, an expandable baton and holder, disposable gloves and case, handcuffs and handcuff case, riot gear, ammo pouches, two (2) magazines or two (2) speed loaders and a bulletproof vest. Replacement bullet proof vests must be purchased by the officers and reimbursed by the city in accordance with the contract.
   * The only items YOU MUST PURCHASE include a duty weapon and black smooth toe shoes. Optional equipment that you may purchase, at your own discretion includes brief case, report holder and ticket book holder. The weapon must meet the Decatur Police Department specifications.
6. Seniority: Seniority is determined by contract, which states “seniority shall be defined as an employee's length of service in the classified police service from his most recent date of hire.”
   • There is no bumping of employees from their properly assigned shift.
   • Vacancies on any shift are posted, as soon as practicable after the vacancy occurs. Employees desiring to fill said vacancy must submit notice of their desire to fill the vacancy. The employee, authorized to occupy said position, with the highest seniority submitting such notice to fill the vacancy shall be assigned to fill the vacancy.
7. Special Assignments: Lateral Transfer officers can be eligible to apply for special assignments, such as Bike Patrol, Anti Crime Team, Emergency Response Team, once they have completed their 1 year probation.