Entry Level Police Officer Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $72,429.76 - $123,029.92 Annually
Location : Police Department: 2600 Village Hall Drive, IL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 202500042
Department: Police
Division: Patrol Services
Opening Date: 12/15/2025
Hire Range: open
Summary
This position performs general duty police work for the apprehension of criminals, prevention of crimes, protection of life and property, and general enforcement of all laws and ordinances on an assigned shift under general supervision. Duties may also include in-depth investigation of criminal offenses as assigned.
This advertisement is for certified police officers who have been employed in a full-time capacity for a minimum of 6 months. This is not for entry-level applicants. Salary is dependent upon training, experience and qualifications.
Essential Functions
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Reports for duty at specified time, maintains self in sound physical condition and maintains uniform and appearance in high standard in accordance with department policy.
Answers all emergency and non-emergency calls for service, remains alert to emergency needs of citizens and takes appropriate action to protect life and property.
Fosters positive relations throughout the community though community policing.
Studies and maintains knowledge of appropriate federal, state and local laws and judicial case law in areas such as self-incrimination; right to counsel; arrest; search and seizure; interrogation and confessions; and the collection and preservation of evidence.
Studies and maintains knowledge of departmental policies, and procedures.
Discovers and prevents the commission of crimes, enforces ordinances and all state and motor vehicle laws for designated areas.
Conducts preliminary investigations, gathers evidence, obtains witness statements, makes arrests, and escorts prisoners from the scenes of crimes
Detains anyone wanted through the serving of warrants.
Investigates motor vehicle accidents and assists local fire department and ambulance personnel.
Makes dispositions of all complaints or inquiries or directs people to the proper organizations to handle the complaints.
Prepares evidence for issuance of complaints; serves criminal process, including warrants and subpoenas.
Completes reports compiling factual data, evidence and conduct interviews and interrogations when appropriate.
Performs investigative duties that cover a wide range of cases.
Inspects scenes of crimes, accident sites, and other appropriate locations to identify possible physical evidence.
Takes appropriate measures to preserve potential evidence including taking photographs, making casts, taking custody, making detailed notes, and/or calling in appropriate experts as necessary.
Interviews victims of criminal activity and potential witnesses or suspects.
Arrests or detains suspects in accordance with proper legal procedure.
Prepares cases for court hearings and testifies in such hearings as required.
Acts in a relief capacity, working in other areas of the department as assigned.
Carries out any lawful order or duty as prescribed by the Chief or other supervisor.
Participates in and presents preventative education and information through community and school awareness projects; teaches and counsels those within the community on law enforcement activities, programs and referral resources.
Utilizes proper safety precautions related to all work performed and adheres to all departmental and Village safety policies. Advises supervisor of hazards and corrective actions.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Required Qualifications
Must possess current Law Enforcement Officer Certification and have been employed in a full time law enforcement capacity for a minimum of 6 months. The totality of the individual's law enforcement training and work experience will be considered. Applicant must upload their resume and letter of interest to the application.
Physical and Work Environment
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee's supervisor.
Work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms. Situations may require physical ability to perform such activities as direct pursuit or wrestling with individuals.
Work requires operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surrounding and activities. This may involve driving in inclement weather conditions.
Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
Work may require working in dangerous, life threatening situations.
Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.
Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
Work requires wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
May be subject to exposure to blood/body fluids and infectious and communicable diseases.
Work is primarily in the field.
The Village of Lake in the Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Village will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
The Village of Lake in the Hills offers a comprehensive and competitive benefit plan to its full-time police officers which includes employer contributions to medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition to the following:

• 80 hours of paid vacation accrued after 12 months of employment
• 10 paid holidays
• 16 hours of personal time
• 12-hour shifts (0500-1700 or 1700-0500 hours)
• Yearly Uniform Allowance of $900 after first year. Initial issue of all duty gear, uniforms, body armor and firearm (unless personal carry is preferred then that will need to be purchased prior to academy start date).
• Officer in Charge (OIC) and Police Training Officer (PTO) compensation
• Paid sick leave and bereavement leave
• Eligibility for compensatory time and overtime pay
• Educational assistance plan
• Metropolitan Alliance of Police Unionization - Chapter 90
• Retirement savings options (Pension, 457, Roth IRA)
• Wellness program - includes a wellness room, physical fitness gym, mental health app
• Visible tattoos permitted within department policy parameters (no head, face, neck, hand/finger tattoos).
• Facial hair - mustaches, sideburns, goatees and beards permitted within department policy parameters.

01
Do you possess a current law enforcement officer certification and have been employed in a full time law enforcement capacity for a minimum of 6 months?*** IF YOU ANSWER NO, DO NOT SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION. THIS APPLICATION IS NOT FOR ENTRY-LEVEL APPLICANTS THAT DO NOT MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.***

• Yes
• No

02
Have you ever served in the military?

• Yes
• No

03
If yes, please list branch of service, dates and type of separation/discharge received.
04
Have you ever been arrested (convicted or not) or cited for any offense or violation of any statute, ordinance or law?Note: Applicants are not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of adjudication or arrest.

• Yes
• No

05
If yes, please explain.
06
If yes, in what state?
07
Did you upload your resume and letter of interest to this application? If not, this is required; please do so.

• Yes
• No

Required Question