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Decatur Police Department

333 S. Franklin Street

Decatur, IL 62523

Phone: 217-424-2743 

Fax: 217-424-2766    

E-mail: mdonaker@decaturil.gov  
Website: http://www.ci.decatur.il.us/police.htm
 

Salary: $45,832 - $67,434  

Population: 84,000

Sworn Officers: 164    

Application Deadline: 8/4/08

To be eligible to take part in the examination process

for police patrol officer, you must possess

the following qualifications:

• Every applicant for original examination for the uniformed police, in addition to all other applicable requirements of these rules, must, at the time of such examination, be not less than twenty (20) 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 training or experience.  The maximum of such age allowance shall be four (4) years.  No applicant shall be appointed to the uniformed police until the age of twenty-one (21) years. 

• No felony convictions or any disqualifying misdemeanor convictions identified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. 

• Applicant may not be prohibited by any court action and/or state or federal statute from carrying a firearm. 

• High school diploma or equivalent.  

• You MUST provide documentation showing proof of eligibility with your background packet upon completion of the physical and written testing (e.g. High School diploma, college transcript(s), DD214). 

• At time of appointment, a Police Patrol Officer must be a U.S. Citizen 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 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.

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

Employees must establish residency within 40 miles of the corporate limits of Decatur, Illinois within 90 days following the completion of their probationary period. This position requires a one year probationary period.

Benefits

BASE SALARY:

Patrol Officer $45,832 to $60,209

LONGEVITY:

• Longevity is contractually a percentage of the base pay, based on years of service

• The longevity increases are at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service and increase the Patrol Officers salary up to $67,434 for a Patrol Officer

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS:

• K-9 Patrol - 5% of base in addition to base rate & longevity

• Master Patrol - 5% in addition to base rate & longevity

• Investigations - 10% of base in addition to base rate & longevity 

SERGEANT:

• Sergeant starting base rate is $69,039 and increases to up to $73,892 after 6 months

• Longevity increases that top end pay range to $82,759

VACATIONS:

• 2 weeks after one year of service

• 3 weeks after 7 years of service

• 4 weeks after 14 years of service

• 5 weeks after 20 years of service

• 6 weeks after 25 years of service

PENSION:

• Excellent pension benefits

• Retirement at 50% of salary at age 50 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:

• 13 holidays per year

• Compensatory time optional in lieu of overtime

• Hospitalization and life insurance paid by the City of Decatur for employees, with dependent coverage available

• paid sick leave

• Optional retirement fund

• Optional flex spending fund

• Option dental coverage

• Shift differential pay for 2nd and 3rd shifts

• Uniforms provided by the City (except for weapons)

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