Community Focused • Team Driven • Community Supported
Click Here for the 2026-27 Police Officer Lateral Application Guide
The Highland Park Police Department is committed to protecting life and property through professional policing, strong community partnerships, and a culture built on teamwork, integrity, and service. The Department proudly embraces community-oriented policing and supports the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and NAACP Ten Shared Principles.
The City of Highland Park is now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer (Lateral Entry). This is an opportunity to join a highly respected and progressive agency that values proactive policing, officer development, collaboration, and community engagement. We are seeking experienced officers who are motivated to grow professionally, make a meaningful impact, and become part of a department where officers are supported by both leadership and the community they serve.
Highland Park officers have access to a wide range of specialized assignments and career development opportunities, including:
Whether you are looking to continue building your career, expand your skill set, or join a department that invests in its people, Highland Park offers the opportunity to serve in a professional environment where your work matters and your contributions are valued.
Advanced step and vacation placement possible up to Step 6 for "transferable credit" with current department.
2026 Salary Schedule:
Step
Time Period
Salary
Possibility of Transferable Credit
Step 1
Starting Salary
$91,158.16
Less than 12 months of service
Step 2
After 6 Months
$94,348.61
12-23 full months of service
Step 3
After 1 Year
$98,885.44
24-35 full months of service
Step 4
After 2 Years
$103,648.09
36-47 full months of service
Step 5
After 3 Years
$108,746.43
48-59 full months of service
Step 6
After 4 Years
$114,184.15
60 full months of service or more
Step 7
After 5 Years
$119,893.59
Step 8
After 6 Years
$125,888.72
Longevity Pay of an additional 2.5% to 9% of salary dependent on total years of service.
Benefits:-
Vacation
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Sick Leave
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Paid holidays, personal days
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Blue Cross Blue Shield IL Health Insurance
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Dental Coverage
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Life Insurance
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Pension Program
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Wellness Program / Employee Fitness Center
Education / Tuition Reimbursement
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Submit the following as attachments to your application:
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Copy of High School Diploma or equivalent (required even with college transcript)
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Copy of Valid Driver's License (required)
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Copy of Birth Record as Proof of Citizenship (required and must be certified)
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Copy of DD-214 Long Form showing 4 years continuous service OR copy of Official College / University Transcripts (required).
Criminal Investigation & Apprehension
Handle complaints filed by citizens. Observe, detect, and investigate violations of laws and ordinances. Document details of violations. Conduct interviews and interrogations of victims, witnesses, suspects, offenders, and other involved parties. Conduct both preliminary and follow-up investigations. Identify, protect, collect, process, preserve, and document physical evidence. Search persons, vehicles, and other locations or items within the scope of the law. Transport, book, care for, and escort prisoners.
Prepare clear, accurate, and complete reports detailing activities. Prepare and serve criminal complaints, arrest warrants, search warrants, and other court documents. Prepare cases and self for court. Appear and provide sworn testimony in various legal proceedings.
Crime Prevention
Patrol assigned areas, monitor for criminal activity and safety hazards. Become and remain familiar with patrol areas, geographic locations, known offenders, neighborhood routines, and potential problem areas. Conduct security inspections of buildings and other locations, taking corrective action as needed. Investigate suspicious activities and conduct field interviews when appropriate. Share information with other officers, law enforcement agencies, and city departments as needed. Educate the public on crime prevention strategies and tactics to reduce victimization.
Traffic Enforcement
Engage in proactive, self-initiated traffic and parking enforcement, including DUI apprehension. Control, regulate, and direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Investigate traffic accidents by protecting scenes, aiding injured persons, controlling traffic, clearing scenes, determining causes, taking enforcement action when required, and preparing complete reports and diagrams. Participate in efforts to reduce traffic accidents and injuries within the community.
Order Maintenance
Respond to domestic disputes and other interpersonal or business conflicts. Recognize and address public hazards or quality-of-life issues, including gas leaks, water main breaks, defective traffic signals, traffic obstructions, and other safety hazards. Assist other emergency service providers as needed. Administer basic first aid, including CPR, to injured persons. Investigate and document lost and found property as well as missing and recovered persons.
Enforce animal-related ordinances and respond to complaints, including handling stray and vicious animals. Direct and supervise civilians and public employees at crime scenes, accidents, disasters, and public gatherings. Provide assistance to individuals in distress, crime victims, and witnesses. Respond to and thoroughly handle all calls for service.
Community Policing
Develop and maintain familiarity with community issues and concerns. Engage with community members to build and uphold public trust. Foster positive interactions between law enforcement and the public. Support and promote the Department’s mission and values.
Peripheral Duties
Attend training and maintain required skills, licenses, permits, and certifications. Train personnel in areas of expertise. Conduct background investigations. Perform desk duties, including telecommunications and research, as assigned.
Required Minimum Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required.
Age: At the time of the first element of examination, applicants must be at least 21 years of age and less than 65 years of age. Applicants who are 20 years of age who have successfully completed 60 semester credit hours or more (or 90 quarter credits or more) in the study of law enforcement at a college or university accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization may be considered for an entry level position. Such applicant shall not have power of arrest, nor shall they be permitted to carry firearms until they reach 21 years of age.
Education: Must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent, and have successfully completed 60 semester hours credit or more (or 90 quarter credits or more) from a college or university accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization; or have proof of completion of four years of continuous active duty in the United States Armed Forces.
Certification or License: Must be a United States citizen at the time of filing an application. The applicant must be certified or have the ability to be qualified to be certified (by full-academy waiver) by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB).
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Proficiencies:
Must be physically and psychologically suited for the duties of a police officer.
Strong customer service, multitasking, and confidentiality skills.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, federal, state, and local criminal laws and FOIA regulations.
Ability to follow instructions and maintain effective working relationships.
Familiarity with, or ability to learn, the City’s geography, major roads, and landmarks.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including spelling and grammar.
Must be able to read and write the English language.
Safety Functions:
Follow all applicable safety policies and procedures.
Report unsafe conditions immediately.
Report personal accidents to supervisor.
Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free work environment.
Adhere to established safety rules and procedures.
Maintain appropriate physical fitness to perform essential job functions.
Follow proper lifting/ material handling procedures at all times.
Take proper body substance isolation precautions when dealing with biological fluids.
Work Environment: The position requires both regular and irregular shift work, including shift rotations to ensure 24/7 police services throughout the year, including weekends and holidays. Standard shifts are eight hours but may be extended due to emergencies, disasters, manpower shortages, or ongoing incidents.
The role involves exposure to extreme weather and lighting conditions, both indoors and outdoors, with or without artificial light. Employees may encounter fire, smoke, and chemical leaks or spills when providing emergency services. The position also involves personal risk, including interactions with armed or dangerous individuals and animals, exposure to contagious diseases, and encounters with individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol or experiencing mental health crises. Additional hazards include emergency driving, traffic control, working near traffic, and responding to natural or man-made disasters.
Bloodborne Pathogens: The duties of Police Officer include the handling of evidence which may contain a risk of exposure to Bloodborne pathogens, contact with persons who may have contagious/communicable diseases and providing initial emergency responder first aid care to injured persons.
Tools and Equipment Used: The position requires the ability to operate the following equipment:
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Motor vehicles, reasonably and safely under routine and emergency conditions, often for lengthy periods of time and in all types of weather/roadway conditions.
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Firearms, with demonstrated proficiency in the care and use of assigned/authorized weapons.
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Less than lethal weapons such as batons, Oleoresin Capsicum spray and Tasers, with demonstrated proficiency in the care and use.
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Basic office equipment including a computer with Windows and Microsoft Office Suite, copier, printer, scanner, fax machine and phone.
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Personal protective equipment including, gas masks, face masks and rubber gloves.
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Writing implements and basic drawing templates, including the ability to write legible documents and produce simple diagrams.
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Specialized computer systems including, prisoner booking systems, mobile field report writing systems and property management systems.
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Basic tools and equipment necessary to perform job tasks and functions including but not limited to speed detection devices, 2-way radios, mobile data computers, in-car camera systems, first-aid equipment, digital cameras, breath testing instruments, fire extinguishers, handcuffs and other personal restraint devices, flashlights, helmets, standard police uniforms, simple tools (pry bars, hydrant wrenches, tape measures,
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, walk, talk, hear, use hands to grasp objects, operate tools and controls, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste, smell and operate equipment including office machines, computers, motor vehicles, cameras, basic tools, and other equipment as needed. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this position include excellent close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust and focus. The employee must have the physical condition needed to:
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Effect arrests.
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Subdue resisting individuals.
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Chase fleeing suspects.
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Run to persons requiring emergency assistance.
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Lift and carry equipment and injured/deceased persons.
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Force entry into buildings.
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Climb flights of stairs/ladders.
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Walk, stand, or sit for long periods of time (including driving).
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Endure exposure to extreme weather and disease.
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Perform life-saving procedures (CPR, first aid, etc.).
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Communicate effectively, verbally and non-verbally.
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Operate required equipment.
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Perform required job tasks and functions.
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Provide assistance to citizens and co-workers in distress.
Effective audio/visual discrimination and perception needed to:
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Make observations.
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Read and write.
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Drive and operate equipment safely.
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Multi-task.
Ability needed to:
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Observe analytically and objectively, analyze situations quickly, determine and take prompt, effective action.
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Understand, interpret, and apply applicable federal and state statutes, local ordinances, court decisions, and Police Department and City rules and policies.
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Understand and respond quickly and accurately to written and oral directions, instructions, inquiries, and requests.
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Work independently and effectively.
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Initiate appropriate interpersonal and intra- and inter-agency communications.
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Act quickly, calmly, and decisively in emergencies and under stress.
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Handle situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and impartially.
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Express oneself clearly and completely.
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Record information clearly and completely.
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Facilitate effective conflict arbitration/resolution.
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Maintain confidentiality in the performance of duties.
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Assimilate, retain and effectively use geographic knowledge concerning the City and the surrounding vicinity.
Emotional and psychological stability needed to:
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Accept constructive criticism in a mature fashion.
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Effectively communicate and interact positively with fellow employees and citizens.
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Tolerate stress.
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Function effectively under stress.
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Deal effectively with unpleasant or unusual facets or results of human behavior.
