Lateral Entry Police Officer

Lateral Entry Program for Police Officers

The Paxton Police Department is seeking applications for certified police officers. All interested parties must submit a resume, at which time we will email an application to the applicant. The applicant must complete the application completely and mail it back to the Paxton Police Department, 755 N. Railroad Ave., Paxton IL. 60957.

Qualifications for Lateral Entry Program
A completed application must be submitted to the Paxton Police Department.

Applicant must provide a copy of their Law Enforcement Officer State Certification.

Applicant must submit all law enforcement training certificates.

Applicant must possess a valid Driver’s License

Applicant must have at least 1 year of experience as a full-time, sworn, certified police officer.

Employee Benefit Package
Health/Dental/Vision Insurance (City pays 75% employee, 50% dependent).

IMRF Retirement – Employee pays 4.5 % salary toward IMRF retirement. The city further contributes approximately 8-9% toward the employees IMRF Retirement. The employee can contribute up to an additional 10% to be invested in the IMRF Voluntary Contributions.

Employee term life Insurance policy - $20,000.00, premium paid by City of Paxton Dependent life policy available - $1000.00, premium paid by employee Disability policy - $400.00 per week up to 26 weeks (employee pays for health insurance premium if on disability)

Paid vacation:

1 week after 1 year

2 weeks after 2 years

2 weeks and 1 day after 6 years

2 weeks and 2 days after 7 years

2 weeks and 3 days after 8 years

2 weeks and 4 days after 9 years

3 weeks after 10 years

4 weeks after 15 years

11 paid holidays per year (including employee’s birthday)

Carry up to 50 hours comp time

All uniforms, and gear provided by the City of Paxton

$400.00 per year work related equipment allowance

12-month probationary period salary - $28.91 per hour (new hire)

Post probationary employment salary - $29.55 (new hire)

Longevity:
0-3 years 0%

4-6 years 3%

7-9 years 6%

10-14 years 9%

15-19 years 12%

20 years 15%

2 hours minimum call out pay, 2 hours minimum for court

8 hours sick time accumulated every month, no limit on number of hours carried

Cell phone provided by the City of Paxton

Direct deposit for payroll offered

Bereavement Leave, immediate family member – 3 work days per fiscal year

Lateral Entry Officers

Lateral entry officers will be allowed to bring 0-7 years of prior Full-Time Law Enforcement experience with them. Their salary will be based on our Longevity Scale. A lateral entry officer will also immediately qualify for the additional $1.00 per hour, to maintain their LEO State Certification.

May, 1st 2026

0-3 years $63,544.00

4-6 years $65,387.92

7-10 years $67,231.84

Additional Salary Provisions;

Juvenile Officer - $1.00 per hour

Field Training Officer - $1.00 per hour

Crisis Intervention Officer - $1.00 per hour

Evidence Officer - $1.00 per hour

Special Response Team - $1.00 per hour

School Resource Officer - $1.00 per hour

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $63,544.00 - $71,391.84 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Night shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $63,544 - $71,392