Department Information

The purpose of the information contained in this brochure is to provide you with enough information regarding the Mount Prospect Police Department so you can make a decision as to whether or not you wish to take the police test for a position on the eligibility list. Historically three to five new officers are hired annually to fill vacancies.

The Mount Prospect Police Department is an excellent law enforcement agency with which to make your career, currently having 84 sworn and 22 civilian personnel.

Once hired, recruits are sent to a state certified training academy for a ten week, 400 hour Basic Training Course, unless already certified in Illinois and recently working as a certified police officer in another community. Each recruit is required to successfully complete the basic training course and pass a state certified test in order to be certified as a police officer by the State of Illinois.

Once certified by the State Training Board, the recruit begins a two year probationary period and is assigned to a police training officer for three months rotating through each patrol shift and Investigations.

Upon completion of police training, the recruit may be assigned a 56-day rotation between the three patrol shifts, working a 5-2/5-3 schedule. The department currently allows permanent shift bidding for its officers based on seniority and department needs.

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Minimum Requirements

• Citizenship: Applicant must be a citizen of the United States.

• Age: All applicants must be at least 21 and no older than 35 years old. Applicants currently employed as sworn full-time officers may be exempt. Please contact the department for additional information.

• Education: Applicant must possess a high school diploma (or equivalent) and not less than 60 college semester hours. Applicant must speak, read and write fluent English. Applicants with prior police or military experience may be exempt. Applicants fluent in a foreign language prevalent in the Mount Prospect service area may be exempt.  Please contact the department for additional information.

• Driver’s license: Applicant must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license.

• Physical: Applicant must satisfy the health and physical aptitude requirements of the physical agility and medical examination.

• Vision: Vision must be correctable to 20/40 in the poorer eye and 20/25 in the better eye, as well as proper color and peripheral vision. If uncorrected vision is worse than 20/200, an ophthalmologist report will be required to certify the condition of the retina as well as the applicant’s ability to function as a police officer despite the condition.

• Residency: The department has no residency or geographical boundary requirement prior to testing. Six months following hire, a non resident of Illinois will be required to relocate within the state.

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Salary and Benefits
Salary Range:

May 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007: $45,676 – $70,520

* The salaries shown reflect starting and top salary after 6 years effective through the dates shown. Starting salary may be negotiated for persons with a minimum of 2 years prior certified police experience (maximum 2nd year step).

Certified Police Officer Pay (after 3 years of service):

$1,700 Annually

• Overtime: Three (3) hour minimum for court paid at time and one-half rate. Two (2) hour minimum for call out.

• Specialty Pay: Incentive for positions such as Investigator, Language Interpreter, Evidence Technician, Breath Test Operator, Field Youth Officer, Range Officer, and Field Training Officer. Annual Longevity Pay starting at the beginning of 6th year ($400) to 20+ years ($700).

• Vacation Time: ranges from 40 hours (up to 6 months of service) to 160 hours (13+ years).

Six (6) personal days off per year.

Eight (8) paid holidays per year.

• Uniform Allowance: $1,000 upon hire, $500 each May (beginning 3rd year of service). Body armor is provided at no cost.

• Health Insurance: Choice between HMO or PPO. Life insurance policy provided. Dental plan also available.

• Pension: Police officers contribute 9.9% of pre-tax base salary. Police officers do not participate in the Social Security System other than 1.45% for Medicare. Eligible for retirement after 20 years of service and pension can be drawn at age 50.

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Village Background & Facts

Mount Prospect, Illinois - “Where Friendliness is a Way of Life”

The Village of Mount Prospect was incorporated in 1917.
Located 22 miles from downtown Chicago in the Northwest Suburbs of Cook County.
Located 6 miles from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Land Area of 10.25 square miles.
Population: 56,000.
Nearest highway interchange: I-90 at Elmhurst Rd. (ILL RT. 83).

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For an application or further information, please contact:

Mount Prospect Police Department
112 E. Northwest Highway
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Phone: 847-870-5656
Fax: 847-392-1070
E-mail: Recruiting