The Park Ridge Police Department serves by honoring our oath to the community through professionalism, respect, pride, and dedication.

The Community: The City of Park Ridge is a suburban community of over 37,000 residents located in northeastern Cook County, adjacent to the City of Chicago, and is located approximately 2 miles east of O’Hare International Airport. Park Ridge is adjacent to Interstates 90 and 294 and is served by several convenient transportation options including the Metra UP Northwest Line and Pace and CTA buses. Home to Lutheran General Hospital, the City of Park Ridge is composed primarily of single-family residences, but also includes retail shops, shopping districts, two high schools, professional and corporate office buildings as well as numerous parks and recreational facilities.

The Government: Park Ridge, incorporated in 1910, has a council-manager form of government to combine the effectiveness of an elected mayor and seven elected alderman city council with the efficiency of a professional administrator and staff. The City of Park Ridge is a home rule unit as defined by the 1970 Illinois State Constitution.

The Department: Composed of 54 full-time sworn officers and 22 civilian positions, the Park Ridge Police Department is a state-accredited police department that is committed to a community-based philosophy of policing that values positive community partnerships and collaborations with our citizens. Continual in-service training is provided in an effort to not only create a more challenging and fulfilling career for our officers, but also prepare them for some of the following positions/assignments; patrol officer (12-hour shifts), detective, evidence technician, range officer, community strategies officer, motorcycle officer, bicycle patrol, juvenile officer, traffic officer, a school resource officer and a variety of task force/multi-jurisdictional assignments including the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) and Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) Emergency Services Team, Mobile Field Force, and the Surveillance Team. All officers are CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) trained. Current rank advancement opportunities include the positions of sergeant, commander, and deputy chief. Additionally, the department offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a competitive starting salary with four yearly step increases to full salary, health insurance with prescription card, paid life insurance (one-year salary/double indemnity), annual fitness evaluation, uniform allowance, paid holidays, paid vacation, pension plan, and optional deferred compensation and dental/vision plans. Patrol officers are represented by the Metropolitan Alliance of Police.

The Process: The advertisement, orientation, application, and written examination steps in the selection process are conducted by participating departments or their authorized vendor. The POWER test is administered by the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) and will be paid for by the candidate. Those passing this portion of the testing process will be placed on an eligibility list (valid for two years), with the ranking being determined based on final scores and the application of any preference points, pursuant to current statutes. Upon successful completion of the written exam, and as vacancies occur, based upon their position on the list candidates will be invited to an interview with departmental staff.

Further participation in the selection process includes the following steps:

1. Polygraph examination
2. Board of Fire and Police Commission Interview
3. Background investigation a. Driving history b. Criminal history c. Financial background d. Personal business and employment references
4. Command Staff Interview Upon a conditional job offer, candidates will also be required to pass a psychological exam, undergo a comprehensive medical examination including a drug screening, and pass the state POWER test.

Appointment to police officer requires the candidate to graduate from a certified police academy, successfully complete a 12-week field training program and successfully complete a 24-month probationary period, which includes time spent in the academy and field training. A copy of the police officer job description may be obtained through the department’s training officer. An Equal Opportunity Employer

Lateral Patrol Officer
All persons possessing certification from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board may be considered for accelerated entry (referred to as “certified entry candidates”). Certified entry candidates selected must first meet all of the following criteria:

1.Minimum age 21, but less than 35 years old, with exceptions to maximum age in accordance with 65 ILCS 3/10-2.1-6,
2.Associates Degree or 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited institution,
3.Valid Driver’s License,
4.Vision correctable to 20/20 in both eyes,
5.Pass medical exam including drug screening,
6.Currently a full-time, certified police officer in the State of Illinois and completed probationary period(unless waived by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners) or have been employed as a sworn officerwithin the last 12 months with another agency,
7.Currently in good standing in the police department in which the person serves,
8.Possesses substantially equivalent skills and abilities as a City of Park Ridge Police Officer who has completed the probationary period, as determined by the City, and,
9.Taken and passed such examinations as the Board of Fire and Police Commission deems necessary to determine fitness for duty as a police officer.

Certified entry candidates who have been determined by the Board of Fire and Police Commission to meet the aforementioned requirements will not be required to attend an orientation or take a written examination. For such candidates, the examination process may consist of a background investigation, oral interview, poly-graph, psychological, physical agility examination and medical examination.

Apply as a Lateral Patrol Officer with the City of Park Ridge.
Police Cadet

The Park Ridge Police Department is currently hiring for part-time Police Cadet. All interested candidates must complete the FrontLine National exam through National Testing Network. www.nationaltestingnetwork.com

Job Classification: Police Cadet

Department Overview: 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 flexible with their college class schedules while working within the Park Ridge Police Department. The Cadet program may also be able to fulfill the college student’s criminal justice internship requirements as a paid internship. Successful candidates upon turning 21 years of age will be eligible for open sworn police officer positions with the Park Ridge Police Department if available. 

City Information: Park Ridge, Cook County, Illinois

Population:37,494

Job Requirements

Age: 19-20
US Citizen: Yes
High School Grad/GED: Yes
Valid ILLINOIS State Driver's License: Yes, Illinois
Ability to Read/Speak English: Yes
Vision: Correctable to 20/20
College: Must be currently enrolled in a college/university with Criminal Justice Major
Additional Requirements:
Possess a desire to pursue a career in law enforcement

Hiring Process:
A basic validated entry-level test
Oral Interview
Physical agility test
Extensive Background Check

Salary: $15.01 per hour
Candidate Contact:
Tom Gadomski
Executive Officer
847-318-5267
tgadomski@parkridgepolice.org