Officer Recruitment

🚨 The Winnetka Police Department is now accepting applications to fill two open officer positions 🚨

Apply here.

The application deadline is August 21, 2023 at 4 PM. Call 800-343-HIRE or email with application questions. 

The exam will be offered electronically, and you may take it in your own home. There will be multiple sessions offered the week of September 18. 

Qualifications:

  • 21 years of age and under 35 years of age at the time of application deadline, unless exempt from such age limitation as provided in section 5/10-2.1-6 of the Fire and Police Commissioner’s Act 
  • U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S. 
  • Valid driver’s license 
  • High school diploma or equivalent 
  • Vision correctable to 20/40, normal peripheral vision and free from color blindness
  • POWER test card dated 8/21/2022 – 8/21/2023
  • Ability to pass all selection and training requirements. New officers must sign a repayment agreement for expenses should they voluntarily leave employment within three years

Why Work in Winnetka?

Winnetka is primarily a residential community located in north suburban Chicago (read more about the Village here), and is described by many as a great place to work. The following is compensation and benefits information for patrol officers:

  • Patrol Officer salary range: $77,023-$108,477
  • Village-provided equipment and uniforms; plus annual uniform allowance
  • Excellent health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits
  • Paid vacation, personal, holiday, comp time, and sick leave
  • Police pension plan 
  • Patrol Officers are represented by the Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP) collective bargaining agreement
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About the Position

New officers are assigned to a patrol function to support the mission of the Winnetka Police Department. The Department consists of 28 sworn officers and 10 civilian employees. Patrol officers do the following while on duty:

  • Patrol an assigned beat
  • Initiate criminal investigations
  • Prepare reports
  • Provide traffic and parking enforcement
  • Arrest and process offenders
  • Prepare for and testify in court
  • Respond to calls for service
    • Mostly non-emergency service calls

Patrol officers primarily work 12-hour shifts, which routinely include:

  • Opportunities to work both day and night shift on a rotating schedule
  • Normal shift rotations include every other weekend off
  • Overtime opportunities
  • Emphasis on scheduled training when available

Development opportunities for sworn officers include:

  • Training and career development
  • Multi-jurisdictional assignments
  • Community relations
  • Specialty assignments:
    • Investigations Unit
    • Evidence Technician
    • New Trier High School School Resource Officer (SRO) 
    • NORTAF and NIPAS Specialty Teams
    • Motorcycle Officer
    • Bicycle Patrol Unit
    • Training Instructor
    • Crime Prevention Officer
    • Business Liaison Officer

There is a mandatory physical fitness test twice a year for patrol officers, with financial incentives based on performance.

Training

New officers attend a mandatory 16-week training program at either the Police Training Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy at the College of DuPage, or the Illinois State Police Academy.

Hiring Process

Candidates can expect the following in the recruitment process:

  • Physical agility test (P.O.W.E.R. Test)
  • Orientation and written exam
  • Police Department oral interview
  • Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BFPC) oral interview
  • Background investigation
  • Polygraph
  • Psychological Evaluation
  • Pre-employment physical examination
  • Two-year probationary period (post-hire)

Contact Us

  1. Police Recruitment Team

    Email