01/19/17
The Civil Service Commission of the City of Decatur will conduct an examination and establish an eligible register for the following classification:
POLICE PATROL OFFICER
Annual Wage: $53,796 - $70,671*
*Does not include longevity pay or pay increases for
K-9, Master Patrol Officer or Detective
Applications are available on our website at or at the Human Resources Division, Department of Management Services, Second Floor, Decatur Civic Center, #1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois 62523, and must be received in the Human Resources office by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Additional documents are not required at this time.
Selection of candidates will be made according to the Civil Service laws for cities, as modified by the City Code of the City of Decatur, Illinois.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
As an equal opportunity employer, the City of Decatur encourages all potential applicants, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, to apply for positions with the City of Decatur Police Department. Minorities are encouraged to apply.
QUALIFICATIONS
To be eligible to take part in the application process for Police Patrol Officer, applicants must possess the following qualifications:
1.At the time of the physical fitness test, applicant must be notless than twenty-one (21) years of age or over thirty-five (35) years of age; provided, however, that in cases where an applicant has had special training or experience in police related work, the Commission may, at its discretion, accept applicants thirty-six (36) years of age or older with one (1) year of increased age allowed for each year of actual service. The maximum of such age allowance shall be four (4) years.
2.Applicant must have no felony convictions. Applicant with a record of misdemeanor convictions may be disqualified from taking examinations as set forth in65 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.
4.Applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
At time of appointment, a Police Patrol Officer must be a United Statescitizen and must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license. Prior to appointment, eligible applicants must be accepted for membership in the Decatur Police Pension Fund. Generally, applicants must also be in good health, be of good moral character and not possess an adverse police record. 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 and possess good general intelligence and emotional stability.
**SPECIAL NOTE** Police Patrol Officers may be required to maintain physical fitness standards throughout their careers.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS
1)Physical Fitness Test: All applicants must pass the physical fitness PeaceOfficer Wellness Evaluation Report(POWER) test to be held on Saturday,June 3, 2017. Applicants will be notified of the location and time of their physical fitness test upon receipt of application. The physical fitness test will include the following:
A.Sit and Reach Test: This test measures flexibility, the ability of a joint to move through its full range of motion.
B.1-Minute Sit-up Test: This test measures muscular endurance, the ability to contract the muscle repeatedly over a period of time.
C.1 Repetition Maximum Bench Press Test: This test measures muscular strength, the amount of force a muscle can produce with a single maximum effort.
D.1.5 Mile Run Test: This test measures cardiovascular endurance, the ability to perform prolonged, large muscle, dynamic exercise at moderate-to-high levels of intensity.
2)Written Examination: Applicants passing the physical fitness test must take a written exam, also scheduled for Saturday,June 3, 2017. Applicants passing the physical fitness test will be notified of the location and time of the written test. The written examination consists of four sections: Observation and Memory;Written Communication and Report Writing;Reading and Understanding Written Information; and Reasoning and Analytical Ability. Applicants are required to havean average overall score of at least 70.00% and a minimum score of at least 60.00% in any one section.
3)Oral Interview: Applicants remaining in the process will be scheduled for an oral interview.
4)Background Investigation: The position of police officer requires a great deal of public trust and carries a tremendous amount of responsibility. The background questionnaire will be distributed at the written examination and must be completed and returned by the due date on the questionnaire. Candidates must be of good moral character and will be subject to a thorough background investigation,including, but not limited to, police records check; credit check; inquiries of neighbors, relatives, employers, and other references. Candidates may be eliminated from the process at any time based on adverse information obtained from the background investigation. This includes information discovered about the candidate that would reflect negatively upon the Decatur Police Department if the candidate was hired. A conviction record may be considered on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily disqualify a candidate. However, Illinois State law precludes appointment as a police officer with any felony conviction or any disqualifying conviction as set forth in65 ILCS 5/10-1-7(c). As part of the background investigation process, applicants will be mandated to participate in a ride-along. Applicants that do not participate in the ride-along will be eliminated from the pre-employment process. They will be required to write a one page synopsis of their ride-along experience. Candidates are expected to dress in business casual clothing for the ride-along. T-shirts, jeans and shorts are prohibited.
5)Veteran Points: Eligible veterans may receive 5 veteran preference points added to their final examination score in accordance with 65 ILCS 5/10-1-16.
6)Physical and Psychological Testing: Applicants placed on the eligible register must pass a physical examination including a drug test by a physician of the Commission's choice following an offer of employment. Applicants will also be subject to a psychological evaluation. Final appointment is contingent upon the passing of all of these components.
7)Selection from Eligibility Register: Applicants who are placed on the eligible register will be selected by the Chief of Police.
DUTIES
Work involves protection of life and property through the enforcement of laws and ordinances, and general police assignment including field patrol, preliminary complaint and criminal investigation, traffic control and accident investigation. Duties involve an element of personal danger and require that Police Patrol Officers act without direct supervision and exercise independent judgment in meeting emergencies.
RESIDENCY
Police Patrol Officers shall reside within the corporate limits of Macon County, or within the corporate limits of any municipality extending into Macon County within 90 days following the completion of their probationary period. This position requires a one-year probationary period.
SALARY & BENEFITS
POLICE PATROL$53,796 starting rate$63,490 after 3 years
ANNUAL BASE RATE:$55,148 after 6 months$67,953 after 4 years
$56,484 after 1 year$70,671 after 7 years
$60,468 after 2 years
POLICE SERGEANT$81,035 starting base rate
ANNUAL BASE RATE:$86,732 after 6 months
LONGEVITY:2% of base rate after 5 years9% of base rate after 20 years
4% of base rate after 10 years12% of base rate after 25 years
6% of base rate after 15 years
OTHER ASSIGNMENTS:K-9 Patrol - 5% of base in addition to base rate & longevity
Investigations - 10% of base in addition to base rate & longevity
Master Patrol - 5% in addition to base rate & longevity
There isshift differential pay for 2nd and 3rd shifts, and uniforms are provided by the City (except weapons).
VACATION:2 weeks after completion of 1 year of service; 3 weeks after completion of 7 years of service; 4 weeks after completion of 14 years of service; 5 weeks after completion of 20 years of service; 6 weeks after completion of 25 years of service.
PENSION: Excellent pension benefits; retirement at 50% of salary at age 55 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: The City offers Preferred Provider Option (PPO) health insurance coverage for employees and their dependents. Employees contribute to the cost for single coverage and/or family coverage through payroll deduction. The City provides group life insurance in the amount of $25,000 for each employee at no cost to the employee. Dependent coverage is available. Employees may participate in a voluntary group dental insurance plan and a voluntary group vision plan. Deferred compensation is also available.
APPLY:City of Decatur, Human Resources Division
#1 GaryK.AndersonPlaza
Decatur, Illinois62523
AA/EOE