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Police Recruitment Overview
The Community: The City of Edwardsville is one of the fastest growing communities in the State of Illinois. It is also the third oldest, with a tremendous history in its own right and is the seat of Madison County. An area of great commercial and industrial growth is the Gateway Commerce Center. Moreover, significant and continuous residential development toward Interstate 55 indicates a solid future for the municipality.
Edwardsville’s current population is in excess of 25,000. Among the major area employers are the Madison County Goverment, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Hortica Brokerage and Financial Services, Cassens Transport, The Bank of Edwardsville, and Richards Brick. The employment level is very high and the average annual income is above that of most communities.
The City is host to the Edwardsville School District, one of the most highly respected school systems in the nation. The district has been recognized in national publications as a leader in academic accomplishment. There are five District 7 elementary schools within the corporate limits, two middle schools and a senior high school. The city is also fortunate to have four religious schools, one Lutheran and two Catholic elementary schools. There is also a Lutheran high school.
The presence of Southern Illinois University’s beautiful Edwardsville Campus and the downtown satellite campus of Lewis and Clark Community College, offer local residents a tremendous and convenient opportunity for higher education.
The Department: The Department of Police is proud to serve a community that has a crime rate which is lower than that of the nation, the State of Illinois, Madison County, and most communities its size. The corporate authorities have responded to the city’s growth with approval to expand the police operation. There are now forty (40) sworn officers among the staff of fifty-six (56) full-time employees. In addition to traditional police services, including participation in the regional undercover drug enforcement group, the department administers an exemplary D.A.R.E. program and has five officers assigned full-time to the middle, senior and alternative, high
schools as School Resource Officers. As part of the overall community policing philosophy adopted by the department, patrol officers are assigned to zones or beats, and serve as liaisons to neighborhood groups and businesses. Management of the department is conducted by the Director of Police (Chief), the Deputy Chief (Major) and two Division Commanders (Lieutenant). The department currently has six sergeants, one sergeant supervises the investigative division, four are field supervisors in the patrol division, and one sergeant supervises the School Resource Officer program.
Patrol officers work a twelve-hour, 2184 hours per year shift schedule, rotating shifts every fifty-six (56) days, while school resource officer and investigators normally work an eight hour, 2080 hours per year schedule.
The starting pay as of May 1, 2007 for a probationary patrol officer is $48,313 for the first twelve months. “Probation” lasts for a period of eighteen months. The salary for the last six months of probation is equal to $53,683 per year.
Animal control, parking and general code enforcement are handled by the department’s Community Services Officers who also assist the sworn staff with some basic police duties. These non-sworn community services officers also supplement the school crossing guard program, which is under the supervision of the daytime shift commander.
Edwardsville was the first community in the Metro-East area to offer 9-1-1 services, when the system was implemented in the 1970’s. This emergency program, staffed by the police department, has since been enhanced throughout the county and complements the full-time fire fighting and paramedic operations, which are staffed by the City’s fire department.
The traditions of the department are strong, with an exceptionally well balanced view of the future and all it affords. It is the desire of the men and women of the Edwardsville Police Department to return through commendable service, the same outstanding support that the citizens of this community extend our personnel each day we report for duty.
The Requirements: To participate in the entry level selection process for the position of Police Officer, a candidate must possess or adhere to the following requirements:
· Be between the ages of 21 and 35. Exceptions: 1) Candidates who are over 35 years of age, and have any amount of full time law enforcement experience with a municipality in any state, are eligible, 2) Candidates who have Illinois Sheriff Deputy and/or Illinois State Police patrol experience are eligible up to the age of 40, and 3) Candidates who are 20 years of age and have successfully completed 2 years of law enforcement studies at an accredited college or university, are eligible.
· U.S. Citizen or an alien admitted for permanent residency or authorized to work in the U.S.
· Possess a valid driver’s license (Illinois drivers license upon state residency)
· Associate’s Degree in law enforcement from an accredited junior college or above -OR- a Bachelor’s Degree in any field from an accredited college or university -OR- a current certification from another law enforcement agency or accredited law enforcement training center
· Must successfully complete a written test
· Must meet statutory requirements regarding arrests/convictions
· Must attend orientation session
· Must be of good character
· Must successfully pass extensive background investigation
· Subject to physical and psychological examinations
· Subject to drug screen
· Must meet other testing and certification requirements set by Illinois Statute, the Consortium, and State Training Board including agility test and basic training mandates.
The Process: Advertising for the entry level testing process, mandatory orientation, application form, physical agility test, and written examination are elements of the selection process conducted by the Southwestern Illinois Joint Fire & Police Recruitment & Testing Consortium for member communities. Written examination scores and all forms that have been submitted to the Consortium will be forwarded to the Edwardsville Board of Fire & Police Commissioners on all applicants who successfully meet the requirements set by the Board. Successful candidates will then be invited to continue in the Board’s pass/fail testing process.
Probationary Period: Following appointment, new police officers are required to successfully complete an eighteen (18) month probationary period.
Residency: Following their appointment, new police officers are required to relocate into Madison County within eighteen (18) months of effective employment date (reasonable extension considered).
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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