Description
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Police Cadet
Chicago Police Department
Number of Positions: 25
(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)
Starting Salary: $16.60 hourly
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 08/13/2026
The Police Cadet Program provides an opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement to obtain valuable work experience in a law enforcement environment. Cadets are given rotating assignments in the Police Department’s districts, field offices and central headquarters.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Performs clerical duties such as maintaining files and records, processing forms, gathering and organizing documents, and typing and photocopying documents- Answers telephones, responds to general inquiries regarding police programs and routes specific calls to appropriate personnel
- Assists in processing case reports and compiling data for use in various productivity and manning reports
- Creates spreadsheets and maintain databases to track data
- Searches computer and manual records to verify or obtain requested data
- Attends community alternative policing strategy (CAPS) meetings and outreach events to distribute informational flyers and provide information to youth on the Police Cadet Program
- Assists police officers with manual tasks or clerical support at special events or police programs, as required
- Participates in a physical fitness program
Additional duties may be required for this position
Location: Various Districts
Days: Varies
Hours: Varies
THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Must be between the ages of 18 and 21- Must be enrolled in a nationally or regionally accredited college or university that grants associate and bachelor’s degrees
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
Individuals selected for the program must maintain an academic schedule of a minimum of 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours per year and a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0/5.0 or 2.0/4.0.- Graduates of the Chicago Police and Firefighter Training Academy will be given priority in processing
NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts or college enrollment letter AND a copy of your Driver’s License or State ID to your application to be considered for this position.
NOTE: Successful candidates must pass a structured interview, background check, and drug screening.
Being a Chicago Police Cadet does not guarantee being hired by the Chicago Police Department as a Chicago Police Officer.
SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
This position requires applicants to complete an interview. This position also requires candidates to complete a Willing and Able questionnaire. Candidates who affirmatively answer the Willing and Able questionnaire will be interviewed, only if the hiring criteria have been met. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.
For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html
For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/Classification_and_Pay_Plan_2026.pdf
APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
