Police Department Recruitment

Visit our Jobs page and create an account to sign up for notices when opportunities are available for our recruitment program.

A career in law enforcement is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences you can have. The St. Charles Police Department continues to strive to recruit the most highly skilled, competent, dedicated, community-oriented officers possible. Our officers pride themselves on performing their duties to the highest level of excellence. If you are willing to accept the challenge to become a St. Charles police officer and seek an opportunity to serve others, you may be the candidate we are looking for. The department currently offers two opportunities for recruitment: Traditional and Certified Eligible Transfers. Details outlining both of these recruitment processes are listed below.

Traditional Recruitment

Minimum Qualifications

  • Be a high school graduate or GED certified; college degree preferred;
  • Minimum age is 21; maximum age is 35 unless the applicant is an Illinois certified police officer;
  • Be a United States citizen;
  • Reside within a 40-mile radius of the intersection of Riverside Avenue and East Main Street within the 18-month probationary date of hire;
  • Be of good moral character;
  • Be physically able to perform the essential job duties required of a police officer;
  • Meet specific vision and hearing requirements;
  • Have a valid driver's license;
  • Have no criminal record;
  • Pass the following tests: physical agility; written; psychological; polygraph; background; and medical examination;
  • Successfully complete a drug screen and Functional Capacity Evaluation.

Hiring Process

A completed application must be submitted to the St. Charles Police Department during the open application period, which takes place every two years. Applicants must be present for and pass the following initial phases:

  • Provide proof of an Illinois P.O.W.E.R. card;
  • Written examination;
  • Oral interview.

The scores of the written test and the oral examination are computed, and an Initial Eligibility Register is developed. Following the application of qualifying preference points, a Final Eligibility Register is established. When there is an opening within the Department, a background investigation will be conducted on candidates on the list beginning with the highest scoring candidate. Upon successful completion of the background investigation, a conditional offer of employment is made. This offer is contingent on passing the following examinations:

  • Psychological;
  • Polygraph;
  • Medical;
  • Drug Screen;
  • Functional Capacity Evaluation.

In addition, if it is necessary for the applicant to attend a police academy, he/she will be required to pass the P.O.W.E.R. test.

P.O.W.E.R. Test

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board has established the Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report for entering any of the Illinois certified police academies. The P.O.W.E.R. test is provided to all candidates prior to entering the academy to determine if each individual meets pre-determined standards. Candidates who are already certified police officers are not required to take the P.O.W.E.R. test.

Preference Points

Preference points are provided for as stated in the Illinois Compiled Statutes, 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-8, Veteran's and educational preference, and are applied following the posting of the Initial Eligibility Register.

Current Traditional Recruitment Status

The 2024 Traditional Recruitment Eligibility List has been exhausted. Applications for the 2025 Comprehensive Recruitment Plan are now available here.

The orientation and written exam will be held on two separate dates: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 6:30pm and Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 8:30am. Once the written scores are tabulated, the 2025 test applicants will be notified informing them of their status in the recruitment process. The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will conduct the oral interviews from the initial list in November 2025. A final eligibility list will be established based on a combined score consisting of the written exam, oral interview, and preference points - where applicable. 

As positions become vacant and are approved for hiring, candidates on the list must successfully complete a background investigation and then pass the following tests: psychological, polygraph, medical,  and, if you have to attend a police academy, the P.O.W.E.R. test.

The new list is expected to be final in December 2025.

Certified Eligible Transfers

Minimum Qualifications

In order to qualify, all applicants must currently be a current Illinois Police Officer for one year after completion of a probationary period and in good standing in the Police Department in which they serve, or in laid-off status due to financial restraints only. Candidates must also possess substantially equivalent skills and abilities as a current City of St. Charles Police Officer. In addition, all candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • Confirm status as a current, full-time, Illinois sworn municipal police officer, Illinois state trooper, or Illinois county sheriff’s deputy who possesses State of Illinois certification by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. (Part-time certification, or employment as any type of law enforcement officer other than specified above, does not meet this requirement.);
  • Applicants must be in good standing at their current department for a minimum of one year after completion of their probationary period, or in laid-off status due to financial constraints;
  • Law enforcement certification through Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board;
  • Substantially comparable experience, skills, and abilities as City of St. Charles Police Officers;
  • Citizen of the United States, or a non-citizen legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law or is an individual against whom immigration action has been deferred by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process. Applicants must be authorized under federal law to obtain, carry, purchase or otherwise possess a firearm.
  • At least 21 years old;
  • Education – an Associate’s Degree or 60 hours of college credit from an institution accredited by the US Department of Education. A Bachelor’s degree in police administration, law enforcement, or a related field is preferred;
  • Valid Driver’s License;
  • Reside within a 40-mile radius of the intersection of North 15th Street and West Main Street within the 12-month probationary date of hire.

Required to furnish at time of application

A copy of the following, to the extent applicable: a cover letter containing a statement of interest and description of experience and specialty assignments; a resume (optional); professional licenses; training certificates;  birth certificate; college diploma or  transcripts verifying education requirement; Illinois Standards & Training Board certificate; military service board and discharge papers (DD-214/Copy 4), if applicable.

In 2015, the St. Charles Police Department conducted its first certified eligible opportunity. After a successful campaign, the department decided to continue with this opportunity and continues to offer in on an annual basis.

Current Certified Eligible Transfer Status

The application process is currently open. Click here to apply.

Currently, this opportunity is being offered on a continual basis, please see the following section above "sign up to get recruitment notices." Please visit the "jobs" section of the City's website to complete the online application and print out the other required documents for this application process.

If an opening in the Department occurs, and it is decided a certified eligible transfer candidate will be selected, the individual from the current pool of candidates will be selected based on the current needs of the Department.

The St. Charles Police Department values the experienced and diverse group of individuals it is comprised of. All members value Service, Courage, Professionalism, and Dedication (SCPD) and seek to hire others who believe in these tenets.

 

 

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