Police Officer – Entry Level
The Crystal Lake Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. Testing is being conducted to fill current full-time Police Officer vacancies and to establish an Eligibility List for future available positions.
The City of Crystal Lake Police Department is the largest municipal department in McHenry County covering 18 square miles and serving 40,743 residents. The Department is comprised of 77 sworn officers and 14 civilian employees who strive on a daily basis to provide professional, courteous and uncompromised service to the community. The Department is a CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.) accredited agency and is committed to providing the highest level of police services to the people who visit, live, and work in the City of Crystal Lake.
Salary Range:
Effective May 1, 2026: $80,828 – $124,529 (7 steps)
City of Crystal Lake Employment Application Deadline:
Monday, March 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
There is NO application fee.
Link to complete job posting and application: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/crystallake/jobs/5210788/police-officer-entry-level?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Written Exam
There are two written examination dates. Please attend only one, choose preferred date on application.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
or
Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM
POWER Test:
Must be dated between 3/30/25-3/30/26
POWER testing dates fill up fast, so do not delay scheduling your POWER test.
You must meet the following minimum requirements:
- A legal citizen of the United States, or individual legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, subject to all requirements and limitations of other applicants and the authorization under federal law to obtain, carry, purchase and possess a firearm.
- No Felony Convictions
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Valid Driver’s License
- Applicant must be 20 years of age at time of application deadline, and UNDER 35 years of age at time of application deadline, except as otherwise determined by State Statute. Applicants who are age 20 are required to be age 21 by date of hire or age 21 at time of graduation from the police academy if they have two years of law enforcement studies at an accredited college or university.
- Must possess a current and valid POWER Test card issued within 12 months PRIOR to the written exam date (cards considered valid only if issued between 3/30/25 – 3/30/26).
- Information regarding the POWER test can be obtained by visiting one of the following:
- McHenry County College (3/21/2026)
- Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) (2/4/26 and 3/4/26)
- Joliet Junior College (multiple dates)
- Information regarding the POWER test can be obtained by visiting one of the following:
- Meet Visual Acuity Standard of correctable to 20/20 and shall not be color blind.
- Residency within 40 nautical miles of the Municipal Complex upon completion of probationary period.