What are the responsibilities and job description for the Experienced Police Officer position at City of Champaign?
Description
This Job Posting is for our Experienced/Lateral Police Officer Program, not the Entry Level Police Officer Recruitment.
The City has authorized a temporary hiring incentive program for experienced police officers. Please visit the Champaign Police Department website for details.
Responsibilities Of Position
The purpose of this job is to protect life and property by enforcing all city ordinances, and the laws and regulations of the State of Illinois. Duties include, but are not limited to: performing special details and specific assignments; patrolling city streets and businesses; assisting fellow officers and other agencies; responding to the needs of the general public by performing investigations, problem-solving, following up on leads, obtaining evidence, and deterring criminal activity within the community; compiling reports, preparing cases for trial and appearing in court, and maintaining records for proper documentation.
Minimum Qualifications
Other Information
The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.
The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.
Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.
These Values Guide Our Work
Personal Integrity
We act in the best interests of the City
We behave in an ethical and legal manner
We are open and honest
We follow through on commitments
We are loyal to the City
Responsibility
We anticipate issues, problems, and opportunities
We take initiative
We act to prevent and solve problems
We take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisions
We hold ourselves and others accountable
Respect
We treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable manner
We actively listen and seek understanding
We provide a direct response
We embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplace
We are positive and cooperative
We are willing to apologize
Teamwork
We know and respect our roles and responsibilities
We ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriately
We define and agree upon the goals
We collaborate to achieve organizational goals
We help others accomplish their goals
We share authority, responsibility, and credit
Results
We take pride in our work
We complete assignments and projects on time and within budget
We evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performance
We learn from our mistakes
We innovate
This position is covered under the City of Champaign Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Bargaining Unit labor agreement.
HEALTH INSURANCE
The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
Fraternal Order of Police employees pay $35 of the employee health insurance premium per month and 50 percent of the premium for dependent(s) for regular full-time employees for the 2025/2026 plan year. Premiums may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee’s last day of work at the City.
Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at champaignil.gov/salaries.
DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE
Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).
The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan (PPO) and Delta Dental High Plan.
Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed.
Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at champaignil.gov/salaries.
LIFE INSURANCE
The City provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy for FOP employees through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.
Police Officers are covered by the Police Pension Fund. Employee contributions to the Pension Fund are 9.91 percent of salary and are tax deferred. Additional contributions are paid by the City.
SICK LEAVE
Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month) subject to labor contract provisions.
VACATION
Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service. Employees are eligible to take vacation after six months of employment.
PERSONAL LEAVE
At the beginning of each fiscal year, employees are credited with 30 hours of personal leave. Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year (July 1st).
PENSION
Police Officers are covered by the Police Pension Fund. Employee contributions to the Pension Fund are 9.91 percent of salary; employee contributions are tax deferred. Additional contributions are paid by the City.
HOLIDAYS
The City offers eleven paid holidays, subject to labor contract provisions:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS)
A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for FOP employees. FOP employees participate in a mandatory contribution of $100.00 pre-tax, per month into an RHS investment account and at separation contributing a portion of their sick leave balance. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents.
LONGEVITY PAY
Employees receive longevity pay based upon their years of continuous employment with the City. Longevity pay is an addition to the employees' base wage rate.
CREDIT UNION
Employees may join the Credit Union I. Payroll deduction for savings and credit union loan payments are available as well as a deduction for a savings bond program and Christmas Club. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Credit Union directly at (800) 252-6950.
Deferred Compensation Plan
The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400).
RESIDENCY INCENTIVE REIMBURSEMENT
The City offers a Residency Incentive Reimbursement of $10,000 to FOP employees who establish residency or relocate within the City of Champaign. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Department.
RESIDENCY STIPEND
Officers whose primary, full-time residence is located with the City of Champaign shall receive a residency stipend in the amount of $7,000 annually, to be paid on the first payroll in May each year to cover the previous 12 months (May through April). The allowance will be prorated for any officer who moves into or out of the CITY or who leaves the CITY's employ for any reason during the year, such that the payment due to the officer shall be reduced.
UNION DUES
The FOP union establishes the regularly monthly dues which are collected by the City through payroll deduction on behalf of the union.
The City will also collect the Police Benevolent and Protective Association $15.00 monthly dues through payroll deduction if elected by the employee.
CONTRACT
View the current Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Bargaining Unit contract at champaignil.gov/hr/jobs/bargaining-units.
01
Please indicate the type of law enforcement activities in which you have experience. Select all that apply.
If you indicated 'Other' in the previous question, please provide details.
03
Was This Experience
Please provide details of your current or most recent law enforcement experiences and duties. Please be thorough and include common daily activities.
05
Are you a sworn law enforcement officer?
Are you a full-time officer with your current agency?
Are you considered probationary status with your current agency?
How long was your current or most recent agency's probationary period?
09
Indicate your current or most recent department size.
Please detail the level of your law enforcement training. Include length of basic academy training, length of field training and any specialized training that should be considered.
11
What is the name and address of the police academy you attended?
12
How many hours was the police academy you attended?
13
Did you attend a part-time/transitional police academy or a full-time police academy?
In your law enforcement career, please indicate the amount of time spent in solo patrol or with a partner in a non-training environment.
Are you in good standing with your current or most recent agency? If you are no longer employed as a law enforcement officer, did you leave your previous agency in good standing?
If you responded "No" to the previous question, please explain.
17
Have you ever left any law enforcement agency not in good standing?
If you responded "Yes" to the previous question, please explain.
19
Have you ever been terminated or asked to resign, whether on probation or not?
If yes to the previous question, please provide details below.
21
Please indicate your highest level of education.
Do you fluently speak another language other than English? If so, which language(s)?
23
Why are you interested in joining the Champaign Police Department?
This Job Posting is for our Experienced/Lateral Police Officer Program, not the Entry Level Police Officer Recruitment.
The City has authorized a temporary hiring incentive program for experienced police officers. Please visit the Champaign Police Department website for details.
Responsibilities Of Position
The purpose of this job is to protect life and property by enforcing all city ordinances, and the laws and regulations of the State of Illinois. Duties include, but are not limited to: performing special details and specific assignments; patrolling city streets and businesses; assisting fellow officers and other agencies; responding to the needs of the general public by performing investigations, problem-solving, following up on leads, obtaining evidence, and deterring criminal activity within the community; compiling reports, preparing cases for trial and appearing in court, and maintaining records for proper documentation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Must meet the following criteria: post-probationary status as a police officer in the United States.
- Must be in good standing with the current department and/or left previous department(s) in good standing.
- Must have substantially equivalent skills and abilities as a City of Champaign post-probationary officer, as determined by the Chief of Police.
Other Information
The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.
The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.
Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.
These Values Guide Our Work
Personal Integrity
We act in the best interests of the City
We behave in an ethical and legal manner
We are open and honest
We follow through on commitments
We are loyal to the City
Responsibility
We anticipate issues, problems, and opportunities
We take initiative
We act to prevent and solve problems
We take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisions
We hold ourselves and others accountable
Respect
We treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable manner
We actively listen and seek understanding
We provide a direct response
We embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplace
We are positive and cooperative
We are willing to apologize
Teamwork
We know and respect our roles and responsibilities
We ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriately
We define and agree upon the goals
We collaborate to achieve organizational goals
We help others accomplish their goals
We share authority, responsibility, and credit
Results
We take pride in our work
We complete assignments and projects on time and within budget
We evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performance
We learn from our mistakes
We innovate
This position is covered under the City of Champaign Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Bargaining Unit labor agreement.
HEALTH INSURANCE
The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
Fraternal Order of Police employees pay $35 of the employee health insurance premium per month and 50 percent of the premium for dependent(s) for regular full-time employees for the 2025/2026 plan year. Premiums may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee’s last day of work at the City.
Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at champaignil.gov/salaries.
DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE
Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).
The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan (PPO) and Delta Dental High Plan.
Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed.
Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at champaignil.gov/salaries.
LIFE INSURANCE
The City provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy for FOP employees through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.
- Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age.
- Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age.
- Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children.
- Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children.
- Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children.
- Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children.
Police Officers are covered by the Police Pension Fund. Employee contributions to the Pension Fund are 9.91 percent of salary and are tax deferred. Additional contributions are paid by the City.
SICK LEAVE
Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month) subject to labor contract provisions.
VACATION
Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service. Employees are eligible to take vacation after six months of employment.
PERSONAL LEAVE
At the beginning of each fiscal year, employees are credited with 30 hours of personal leave. Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year (July 1st).
PENSION
Police Officers are covered by the Police Pension Fund. Employee contributions to the Pension Fund are 9.91 percent of salary; employee contributions are tax deferred. Additional contributions are paid by the City.
HOLIDAYS
The City offers eleven paid holidays, subject to labor contract provisions:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS)
A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for FOP employees. FOP employees participate in a mandatory contribution of $100.00 pre-tax, per month into an RHS investment account and at separation contributing a portion of their sick leave balance. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents.
LONGEVITY PAY
Employees receive longevity pay based upon their years of continuous employment with the City. Longevity pay is an addition to the employees' base wage rate.
CREDIT UNION
Employees may join the Credit Union I. Payroll deduction for savings and credit union loan payments are available as well as a deduction for a savings bond program and Christmas Club. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Credit Union directly at (800) 252-6950.
Deferred Compensation Plan
The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400).
RESIDENCY INCENTIVE REIMBURSEMENT
The City offers a Residency Incentive Reimbursement of $10,000 to FOP employees who establish residency or relocate within the City of Champaign. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Department.
RESIDENCY STIPEND
Officers whose primary, full-time residence is located with the City of Champaign shall receive a residency stipend in the amount of $7,000 annually, to be paid on the first payroll in May each year to cover the previous 12 months (May through April). The allowance will be prorated for any officer who moves into or out of the CITY or who leaves the CITY's employ for any reason during the year, such that the payment due to the officer shall be reduced.
UNION DUES
The FOP union establishes the regularly monthly dues which are collected by the City through payroll deduction on behalf of the union.
The City will also collect the Police Benevolent and Protective Association $15.00 monthly dues through payroll deduction if elected by the employee.
CONTRACT
View the current Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Bargaining Unit contract at champaignil.gov/hr/jobs/bargaining-units.
01
Please indicate the type of law enforcement activities in which you have experience. Select all that apply.
- Municipal
- Sheriff/County
- State Patrol
- Railroad
- Park District
- School District
- College/University
- Conservation
- Military
- Federal
- Transit/Housing
- Drug Taskforce
- Other
If you indicated 'Other' in the previous question, please provide details.
03
Was This Experience
- Full-Time
- Part-Time
- Reserves
Please provide details of your current or most recent law enforcement experiences and duties. Please be thorough and include common daily activities.
05
Are you a sworn law enforcement officer?
- Yes
- No
Are you a full-time officer with your current agency?
- Yes
- No
Are you considered probationary status with your current agency?
- Yes
- No
How long was your current or most recent agency's probationary period?
09
Indicate your current or most recent department size.
- 10 or less sworn officers
- 11-25 sworn officers
- 25-50 sworn officers
- 51-100 sworn officers
- 101-200 sworn officers
- 201 sworn officers
Please detail the level of your law enforcement training. Include length of basic academy training, length of field training and any specialized training that should be considered.
11
What is the name and address of the police academy you attended?
12
How many hours was the police academy you attended?
13
Did you attend a part-time/transitional police academy or a full-time police academy?
- Part-time/Transitional
- Full-time
In your law enforcement career, please indicate the amount of time spent in solo patrol or with a partner in a non-training environment.
- Less than 6 months
- 6 months to less than 1 year
- 1 year to less than 2 years
- 2 years
Are you in good standing with your current or most recent agency? If you are no longer employed as a law enforcement officer, did you leave your previous agency in good standing?
- Yes
- No
If you responded "No" to the previous question, please explain.
17
Have you ever left any law enforcement agency not in good standing?
- Yes
- No
If you responded "Yes" to the previous question, please explain.
19
Have you ever been terminated or asked to resign, whether on probation or not?
- Yes
- No
If yes to the previous question, please provide details below.
21
Please indicate your highest level of education.
- High School or GED
- College- 30-59 credit hours
- College- 60-89 credit hours
- College- 90-119 credit hours
- College- more than 120 credit hours but no degree
- Specialized Trade School
- Associates Degree
- Bachelors Degree
- Post Bachelor Studies
- Masters Degree
- Post Masters Degree
- Doctorate (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Do you fluently speak another language other than English? If so, which language(s)?
23
Why are you interested in joining the Champaign Police Department?
- Required Question
Salary : $7,000 - $500,000