Police Officer (Entry-Level & Certified Lateral)

• All applicants must have U.S. Citizenship;
• Residency Requirement: All new employees may reside within the corporate limits of the City of Joliet or within 50 miles of the intersection of Essington Road and Jefferson Street within 18 months of the date of hire;
• No felony convictions or any misdemeanors involving moral turpitude;
• You must possess a valid state-issued driver's license with a good driving record (this will be required as proof of ID at all stages).
• Must have registered with the Selective Services System (https://www.sss.gov);
• No offensive and/or inappropriate visible tattoos, brands, or body piercings. No tattoos, body art, or brands are permitted on the head, face, scalp, neck, or hands, from the wrists to the fingertips;
• High school diploma or transcript, or an equivalent high school education certificate as recognized by the Illinois State Department of Education (GED certificate);
• All applicants must provide proof of completion of the P.O.W.E.R. test administered by NIPSTA, Triton College, or Joliet Junior College;
• A POWER test card must be dated within 12 months of the application date (4/13/2026). Proof of the power test can be provided during the initial application process but must be submitted no later than the Final Eligibility Register list posting. Applicants who advance through the application process and are offered a conditional letter of employment must pass a subsequent Power Test (expenses paid by the police department) before attending the police academy. Failure by any applicant to complete or pass any tests according to BOFPC shall be eliminated from further consideration.
• Only P.O.W.E.R. Test administered by NIPSTA, Triton College, or Joliet Junior College will be accepted: https://www.nipsta.org/206/ScheduleRegistration, http://www.triton.edu/power, https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/placesinterest/power-testing
• All applicants must successfully complete an online written examination starting Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM through Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Applicants scoring in the top tier will progress to the oral board interview;
• Must have 20/20 vision in both eyes (or corrected 20/20 vision) -AND- color blindness could be a disqualifying factor;
• Must meet the requirements of a thorough background investigation and successfully pass psychological and polygraph exams, medical and vision exams, and drug testing;
• Pay a $25.00 non-refundable application processing fee;

Entry-Level Police Officer Requirements:

• At least 20 years of age and UNDER 35 years of age at time of the application deadline (April 13, 2026) -AND- Must be at least 21 years of age and UNDER 35 years of age at time of job appointment, unless otherwise exempt.
• Except as provided in 65 ILCS 5/10-2.16 (original appointments, full-time police department), all applicants shall be under 35 years of age. No person 35 years of age or older shall be appointed to the position of police officer unless a military veteran exempt under this section. A veteran shall be allowed to exceed the maximum age provision of this section by the number of years served on active military duty, but by no more than 10 years of active military duty. If an applicant becomes over age during the application process or while on an active eligibility list, such applicant shall not be allowed to continue with the application process, shall not be appointed, and such applicant’s name shall be deemed immediately stricken from the active eligibility list, except under the statute. An applicant is exempt under 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6(a); it is the applicant's responsibility to provide the required documentation. Applicants who are 20 years of age as of the application deadline are eligible to take the initial examination but are not eligible for appointment (and will be passed over) until they reach 21 years of age. Proof of date of birth will be required at the time of application. 

• All Certified Lateral Police applicants cannot reach their 39th birthday by the time of appointment. If the applicant becomes over age during the application process or while on the Certified Lateral List, they shall not be allowed to continue the application process or be appointed, and their name shall be immediately stricken from the list.
• Must possess a State of Illinois Law Enforcement certification from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board as a full-time law enforcement officer. The applicant must submit a certificate attesting they have successfully completed the Basic Law Enforcement Academy as part of the application process.
• Applicants must have been previously employed or are currently employed as a fulltime sworn law enforcement officer with a police department in any municipality, county, university, or state law enforcement agency for a minimum of two (2) years.
• Must have completed their probationary period and be considered in good standing or have resigned from their agency in good standing.

(You will be required to complete the Joliet Police Department Field Training Program and will be a probationary employee for 18 months from the date of hire.)

• Veteran Preference
• Education Preference
• Joliet Cadet Preference (6 months experience)
• Experience Preference (entry-level only)
• Bilingual Preference
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training

For more information regarding the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Fire and Police, refer to:

www.cityofjoliet.info

Submission of Application:

Applications MUST be submitted online by Monday, April 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM (CST). Faxed, e-mailed, mailed, or dropped off applications will NOT be accepted. Applications submitted after the deadline will NOT be accepted. Only one application per person, per testing cycle will be accepted.