Police Officer (Lateral)

at  City of Highland Park IL

CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK

Community Focused - Team Driven - Community Supported
The Highland Park Police Department is dedicated to safeguarding persons/property, promotes community policing and endorses the ILACP & NAACP Ten Shared Principles. The City is now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer (Lateral Entry). We’re looking for the officer who wishes to succeed in a professional and highly regarded police agency and who seeks to build relationships with the community and fellow officers.
Specialty opportunities: Bicycle Team, Defensive Tactics Ofc., Drone Operator, Evidence Technician, Honor Guard, Juvenile Officer, Mobile Field Force, Peer Support Team, Police Beat Coordinator, Range Officer, School Resource Ofc., Task Force Member and more.
2024 Salary Schedule
Step
Time Period
Salary
Possibility of Transferable Credit

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required Minimum Qualifications:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Age: At the time of the first element of examination, applicants must be at least 21 years of age and less than 65 years of age. Applicants who are 20 years of age who have successfully completed 60 semester credit hours or more (or 90 quarter credits or more) in the study of law enforcement at a college or university accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization may be considered for an entry level position. Any such applicant shall not have power of arrest, nor shall he/she be permitted to carry firearms until he/she reaches 21 years of age.
Education: Must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent and have successfully completed 60 semester hours credit or more (or 90 quarter credits or more) from a college or university accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization. Having proof of completion of four years of continuous active duty in the United States Armed Forces can supplement the post secondary education credits.
Certification or License: Must be a United States citizen at the time of filing an application. Must possess a valid state of Illinois driver’s license. The applicant must be certified or have the ability to be qualified to be certified (by full-academy waiver) by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) by either: 1. Award of a certificate attesting to his or her successful completion of the minimum Standards Basic Law Enforcement Training Course, as provided in the Illinois Police Training Act, OR 2. Having previously been certified as a law enforcement officer in another state, the applicant must meet the conditions of reciprocity as regulated by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and must have been employed as a full-time law enforcement officer in good standing.
Must be able to read and write the English language.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Proficiencies:
Every applicant must be of good moral character and must be physically and psychologically suitable to perform the duties of a police officer. The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners may require the submission of such evidence of character and fitness of applicants as it deems appropriate. The burden of establishing facts relating to character and fitness rests upon the applicant.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Criminal Investigation & Apprehension: Handles complaints filed by citizens. Observes, detects and investigates violations of laws and ordinances. Documents details of violations. Conducts interviews and interrogations of victims, witnesses, suspects, offenders and other related persons. Conducts both preliminary and follow-up investigations. Identifies, protects, collects, processes, preserves and documents physical evidence. Searches persons, vehicles and other locations or items within the scope of law. Transports, books, cares for and escorts prisoners. Prepares clear, accurate and complete reports detailing any and all activities. Prepares and serves criminal complaints, arrest warrants, search warrants and other court documents. Prepares cases and self for court. Appears and provides sworn testimony for a variety of legal proceedings.
Crime Prevention: Patrols assigned area, watches for criminal activity and safety hazards. Becomes and remains familiar with patrol area, geographic locations, known offenders, neighborhood routines and potential problem areas. Conducts security inspections of buildings and other locations and takes action to correct identified security issues. Investigates suspicious activities and performs field interviews when appropriate. Shares information with other officers, law enforcement agencies and city departments as needed. Educates public in tactics to reduce victimization.
Traffic: Actively engages in proactive self-initiated traffic and parking enforcement including DUI apprehension. Controls, regulates and directs traffic – both vehicular and pedestrian. Investigates traffic accidents which include protecting scenes, aiding injured persons, controlling traffic, clearing scenes, determining causes, taking enforcement action when required and preparing complete reports/diagrams. Participates in efforts to reduce accidents/injuries in the community.
Miscellaneous Order Maintenance: Deals with domestic disputes and other interpersonal or business conflicts. Watches for, recognizes and takes corrective actions with regard to public hazards or quality of life issues such as; gas leaks, water main breaks, defective traffic signals, traffic obstructions and other safety hazards. Provides assistance to other emergency service providers as needed or requested. Is trained in and administers basic first aid to injured persons, including CPR. Investigates and documents lost and found property. Investigates and documents missing and found persons. Investigates and enforces animal related ordinance violations and complaints including handling of stray and vicious animals. Directs and/or supervises others (civilian and public employees) at crime scenes, accidents, disasters and public gatherings. Provides assistance for persons in distress, victims of crimes and witnesses. Responds to and thoroughly handles all basic calls for service.
Community Policing: Becomes and stays familiar with community issues and concerns. Interacts with community members in a manner that upholds public trust and facilitates positive two-way interaction between the police and the community. Promotes and supports the Department’s mission and value statements.
Peripheral Duties: Attend training and maintain required skills, licenses, permits and certifications associated with areas of special instruction of expertise. Train other personnel in areas of expertise and skill. Conduct background investigations. May perform desk duties including Telecommunications and/or research.
Performs other related duties as requested.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, walk, talk, hear, use hands to grasp objects, operate tools and controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste, smell and operate equipment including office machines, computers, motor vehicles, cameras, basic tools, and other equipment as needed. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this position include excellent close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust and focus. The employee must have the physical condition needed to:

• Effect arrests.
• Subdue resisting individuals.
• Chase fleeing suspects.
• Run to persons requiring emergency assistance.
• Lift and carry equipment and injured/deceased persons.
• Force entry into buildings.
• Climb flights of stairs/ladders.
• Walk, stand, or sit for long periods of time (including driving).
• Endure exposure to extreme weather and disease.
• Perform life-saving procedures (CPR, first aid, etc.).
• Communicate effectively, verbally and non-verbally.
• Operate required equipment.
• Perform required job tasks and functions.
• Provide assistance to citizens and co-workers in distress