Experienced (Lateral) Police Patrol Officer

Decatur, IL
Decatur Police Department

Salary: $65,879.00 – $86,544.00 Annually.

Essential Functions:

  1. Patrol a designated city area to preserve law and order, prevent and discover the commission of crime, and to enforce traffic and other laws and ordinances.
  2. Answer calls and investigate complaints, disturbances and reported criminal activities; answer calls involving automobile accidents, robberies, and related misdemeanors and felonies; perform follow-up criminal investigation work in plain clothes, as assigned.
  3. At crime scene gather evidence, obtain witnesses, make arrests; prepare investigative data and case information for prosecution; testify as witness in court.
  4. Investigate accidents; provide first aid to injured; take safeguards to prevent further accidents; interview principals and witnesses; take written statements; take necessary preventive or corrective measures.
  5. Perform traffic control duties; operate radar traffic control unit; apprehend violators and issue traffic tickets; direct traffic at intersections.
  6. Investigate family disputes, public disturbances; make arrests or resolve minor problems directly; prepare complaint and investigation reports.
  7. Perform extended criminal investigation work under the direction of a superior officer; check for business license violations; serve legal papers.
  8. Perform related work and other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  1. Applicant must not be less than 21 years of age or over 35 years of age. However, 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 actual service. The maximum of such age allowance shall be four years.
  2. Applicant must have no felony convictions. Applicant with a record of misdemeanor convictions may be disqualified from taking examinations as set forth in 65 ILCS 5/10-1-7(c).
  3. Applicant may not be prohibited by any court action and/or state or federal statute from carrying a firearm and must possess or be eligible to receive a valid Illinois Firearms Owner’s Identification (FOID) card.
  4. Applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  5. Must be a United States citizen.
  6. Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license.
  7. Prior to appointment, eligible applicants must be accepted for membership in the Decatur Police Pension Fund.
  8. Generally, applicants must also be in good health, be of good moral character, and not possess an adverse police record.
  9. 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.
  10. Possess good general intelligence and emotional stability.