• Job Description

  Req#: 5210788
  The Crystal Lake Police Department is currently accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. Testing is being conducted to fill current full-time Police Officer vacancies and to establish an Eligibility List for future available positions.
  
  The City of Crystal Lake Police Department is the largest municipal department in McHenry County covering 18 square miles and serving 40,743 residents. The Department is comprised of 77 sworn officers and 14 civilian employees who strive on a daily basis to provide professional, courteous and uncompromised service to the community. The Department is a CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.) accredited agency and is committed to providing the highest level of police services to the people who visit, live, and work in the City of Crystal Lake.
  
  Salary Range:

  Effective May 1, 2026: $80,828 - $124,529 (7 steps)

  
  City of Crystal Lake Employment Application Deadline:
  Monday, March 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CST
  
  There is NO application fee.
  
  To apply, click the green button in the top right corner.
  
  Written Exam
  There are two written examination dates. Please attend only one, choose preferred date on application.
  
  Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
  or
  Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM
  
  POWER Test:
  Must be dated between 3/30/25-3/30/26
  
  POWER testing dates fill up fast, so do not delay scheduling your POWER test.
  
  Information regarding the POWER test can be obtained by visiting one of the following:

  • McHenry County College (3/21/2026)
    • https://www.mchenry.edu/power/
  • Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) (2/4/26 and 3/4/26)
    • https://nipsta.org/201/Police-Officer-Testing-POWER
  • Joliet Junior College (multiple dates)
    • http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/facilities/power-testing

  
  Documents to upload to your application:
  
  

  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship (Birth Certification, U.S. Passport, Naturalization Certificate) or Employment Authorization Document that contains a photo ID
  • Valid driver's license
  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • POWER Test Card dated between 3/30/25-3/30/26 (can be provided to Human Resources prior to the written exam if not available to upload at the time of your application)

  
  To apply, click the green button in the top right corner.
  
  Questions:
  Contact Julie Meyer, Director of Human Resources
  jmeyer@crystallake.org
  (815) 356-3653
  
  You must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • A legal citizen of the United States, or individual legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law, subject to all requirements and limitations of other applicants and the authorization under federal law to obtain, carry, purchase and possess a firearm.
  • No Felony Convictions
  • High School Diploma or Equivalent
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Applicant must be 20 years of age at time of application deadline, and UNDER 35 years of age at time of application deadline, except as otherwise determined by State Statute. Applicants who are age 20 are required to be age 21 by date of hire or age 21 at time of graduation from the police academy if they have two years of law enforcement studies at an accredited college or university.
  • Must possess a current and valid POWER Test card issued within 12 months PRIOR to the written exam date (cards considered valid only if issued between 3/30/25 – 3/30/26).
    • Information regarding the POWER test can be obtained by visiting one of the following:
      • McHenry County College (3/21/2026)
        • https://www.mchenry.edu/power/
      • Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) (2/4/26 and 3/4/26)
        • https://nipsta.org/201/Police-Officer-Testing-POWER
      • Joliet Junior College (multiple dates)
        • http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/facilities/power-testing
  • Meet Visual Acuity Standard of correctable to 20/20 and shall not be color blind.
  • Residency within 40 nautical miles of the Municipal Complex upon completion of probationary period.

  All portions of the testing process are mandatory. Failure to attend and complete any portion of the process will result in elimination from employment consideration.

  The Crystal Lake Police Department accepts for employment and promotes its employees without regard to race, age, sex, color, religion, political preference, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, order of protection status, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military (except dishonorable), work authorization status, or family responsibilities or other protected status under applicable law.

  The Crystal Lake Police Department bases its hiring practices and promotions on merit, experience, education and other qualifications applied to all applicants and in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity and as required by any other applicable federal, state, or local law. The Crystal Lake Police Department complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Persons needing accommodations in the recruitment process should notify the City of Crystal Lake Human Resources Department in advance.

  All information contained in or connected with this application will be considered personal and confidential to the extent possible or permitted by law and used only in conjunction with your possible employment by the Crystal Lake Police Department. Please furnish us with complete information as outlined in this application.

  Selection Process:

  Each phase of the process is pass/fail and required to proceed to the next. All candidates who successfully pass the written exam will be invited to participate in an on-site interview to be held in April. An eligibility list of applicants will be established in numerical order based on a minimum passing score on the written examination and oral interview, which we anticipate posting in May. The Eligibility List is valid for a period of two years from the date of certification or until the list is expunged. Further participation in our process will take place as vacancies occur. Applicants will be invited, in rank order, to participate in and successfully advance through the following steps:

  • Basic interview with representatives of the Police and Human Resources Department
  • Character and background investigation
  • Polygraph Examination
  • In-depth interview with representatives of the Police and Human Resources Department
  • Post-offer examinations including but not limited to psychological evaluation, medical examination, vision screening and drug screening.
  • All appointments are subject to a probationary period.

  THE CITY OF CRYSTAL LAKE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

• About the company

  Crystal Lake is a city in McHenry County in the US state of Illinois.

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