2026 Experienced Patrol Officer

Summary

For more information, please visit the Police Information Page.For more information, please visit the Police Information Page.The job of Patrol Officer is general duty police work in the protection of life and property and the enforcement of laws and ordinances. The work involves preventive patrol, preliminary investigation, traffic enforcement and regulation, and preservation of social order and public peace by means of patrolling in cars or on foot in a designated area where the officer is accountable. The delivery of service at the Police Officer level applies to the protection of life and property prevention and suppression of crime; apprehension of criminal offenders; regulation and control of traffic; recovery of lost or stolen property; and preservation and maintenance of social order and public peace.The Patrol Officer is required to exercise a great deal of discretion concerning basic police responsibility. The Police Officer runs the risk of upsetting the delicate balance that must be maintained between the rights of individual citizens and the safety and protection of the community. It is the duty of the Patrol Officer to interpret the laws and determine which ones to enforce, and decide upon the manner in which they will be enforced within real or imagined departmental police perimeters.The uniform force is the "backbone" of the Police Department and the focal point for all police activities. All other police services are either supportive of, or supplemental to, the patrol operation.Examples of Duties Some scholars claim that policing a free society is the most complex job in the world, partly because police are frequently called upon to be all things to all people. The popular culture image of a police officer does not accurately reflect the reality of policing. If you have chosen to apply, investing a few hours riding with a Bloomington Police Officer could provide a better understanding of the job. Short of that, the job tasks of a police officer may generally be found in the police officer job description of the Bloomington Police Department Rules and Regulations.Probationary Duties Handling a wide range of calls for serviceGenerating self-initiated activity (e.g., traffic/pedestrian stops)Providing enforcement activity (arrests/citations etc.)Maintaining public order when appropriateReport writingEvidence collection, preservation, storageCourt room testimonyProbationary officers are frequently challenged to perform basic job tasks under varying degrees of pressure. They may be required to safely operate a motor vehicle under emergency conditions, talk on the radio to the telecommunicator and other responding officers, plan the most efficient route of travel, assess possible threats, consider the need for additional resources and make the appropriate requests in a timely manner, develop a response strategy in route while considering officer safety strategies, and adapt immediately to changing conditions or updated information. Clearly, police officers must be able to multi-task effectively to complete the probationary period and consistently perform the job functions of a competent, fully trained police officer. 4 Perhaps the most problematic issue for probationary officers unfamiliar with our community is learning the geography. We cannot stress enough the importance of probationary police officers mastering street names, locations, and address numbering patterns as quickly as possible. Time spent studying local street maps would be well spent.Typical Qualifications Be at least 20 years of age and not more than 34 years of age* at the time of application. Be at least 21 years of age to accept the appointment. *Veterans' Exemption 65ILCS 5/10-2.1-6 … with respect to a police department, a veteran shall be allowed to exceed the maximum age provision of this Section by the number of years served on active military duty, but by no more than 10 years of active military duty.High school diploma or its equivalentCitizen of United StatesAbility to possess a firearmBenefits Our employees are our greatest asset and reason for our success. As a full-time Unit 21 – Police employee, you will receive a Total Compensation package including healthcare/wellness benefits, paid time off (PTO), insurance and retirement. Details below:Healthcare/Wellness Medical - choice between 2 low deductible PPO plans, an HSA-compatible PPO, and an HMOAll plans administered by BCBS75% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)Dental - PPOAdministered by BCBS50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)Vision - PPOAdministered by VSP50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)Extensive Wellness program, including an annual Health Club ReimbursementEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) – for assistance with work, health & life topics such as overall wellbeing, relationship management, workplace challenges, addiction, child/elder care resources, legal advice, financial guidance, nutrition & physical healthPaid Time Off (PTO) 2 weeks vacation, provided on your start date3 weeks provided 1-4 years4 weeks provided 5-15 years4 weeks and 1 day provided 16 years4 weeks and 2 days provided 17 years4 weeks and 3 days provided 18 years4 weeks and 4 days provided 19 years5 weeks provided 20+ years11.5 paid holidays each year. Due to the nature of positions within the Police Department, employees will receive additional pay throughout the year – equivalent to 11.5 working days – for potentially needing to work on the dates listed belowNew Year's DayMartin Luther King Jr. DayGood FridayMemorial Day4th of JulyLabor DayVeterans DayThanksgivingDay After ThanksgivingChristmas EveChristmas DayNew Year's Eve (1/2 day)2 personal days provided each yearSick time earned each month, up to a maximum bank of 75 daysInsurance $50,000 Employer-provided benefitRetirement Automatic enrollment in the Illinois Police Pension Fund457 Account (similar to a 401k)Roth IRAAdditional benefits, such as compensatory time, are also provided to Unit 21 employees. Details can be found within the union's Collective Bargaining Agreement.01Have you been a Sworn Officer for 2 out of the last 3 years?YesNo02Have you read the Police Information Page and Administrative Directives? Question#J-18808-Ljbffr

Job Description

For more information, please visit the Police Information Page.For more information, please visit the Police Information Page.The job of Patrol Officer is general duty police work in the protection of life and property and the enforcement of laws and ordinances. The work involves preventive patrol, preliminary investigation, traffic enforcement and regulation, and preservation of social order and public peace by means of patrolling in cars or on foot in a designated area where the officer is accountable. The delivery of service at the Police Officer level applies to the protection of life and property prevention and suppression of crime; apprehension of criminal offenders; regulation and control of traffic; recovery of lost or stolen property; and preservation and maintenance of social order and public peace.The Patrol Officer is required to exercise a great deal of discretion concerning basic police responsibility. The Police Officer runs the risk of upsetting the delicate balance that must be maintained between the rights of individual citizens and the safety and protection of the community. It is the duty of the Patrol Officer to interpret the laws and determine which ones to enforce, and decide upon the manner in which they will be enforced within real or imagined departmental police perimeters.The uniform force is the "backbone" of the Police Department and the focal point for all police activities. All other police services are either supportive of, or supplemental to, the patrol operation.Examples of Duties Some scholars claim that policing a free society is the most complex job in the world, partly because police are frequently called upon to be all things to all people. The popular culture image of a police officer does not accurately reflect the reality of policing. If you have chosen to apply, investing a few hours riding with a Bloomington Police Officer could provide a better understanding of the job. Short of that, the job tasks of a police officer may generally be found in the police officer job description of the Bloomington Police Department Rules and Regulations.Probationary Duties Handling a wide range of calls for serviceGenerating self-initiated activity (e.g., traffic/pedestrian stops)Providing enforcement activity (arrests/citations etc.)Maintaining public order when appropriateReport writingEvidence collection, preservation, storageCourt room testimonyProbationary officers are frequently challenged to perform basic job tasks under varying degrees of pressure. They may be required to safely operate a motor vehicle under emergency conditions, talk on the radio to the telecommunicator and other responding officers, plan the most efficient route of travel, assess possible threats, consider the need for additional resources and make the appropriate requests in a timely manner, develop a response strategy in route while considering officer safety strategies, and adapt immediately to changing conditions or updated information. Clearly, police officers must be able to multi-task effectively to complete the probationary period and consistently perform the job functions of a competent, fully trained police officer. 4 Perhaps the most problematic issue for probationary officers unfamiliar with our community is learning the geography. We cannot stress enough the importance of probationary police officers mastering street names, locations, and address numbering patterns as quickly as possible. Time spent studying local street maps would be well spent.Typical Qualifications Be at least 20 years of age and not more than 34 years of age* at the time of application. Be at least 21 years of age to accept the appointment. *Veterans' Exemption 65ILCS 5/10-2.1-6 … with respect to a police department, a veteran shall be allowed to exceed the maximum age provision of this Section by the number of years served on active military duty, but by no more than 10 years of active military duty.High school diploma or its equivalentCitizen of United StatesAbility to possess a firearmBenefits Our employees are our greatest asset and reason for our success. As a full-time Unit 21 – Police employee, you will receive a Total Compensation package including healthcare/wellness benefits, paid time off (PTO), insurance and retirement. Details below:Healthcare/Wellness Medical - choice between 2 low deductible PPO plans, an HSA-compatible PPO, and an HMOAll plans administered by BCBS75% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)Dental - PPOAdministered by BCBS50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)Vision - PPOAdministered by VSP50% employer subsidy provided, for employee and any covered dependent(s)Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)Extensive Wellness program, including an annual Health Club ReimbursementEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) – for assistance with work, health & life topics such as overall wellbeing, relationship management, workplace challenges, addiction, child/elder care resources, legal advice, financial guidance, nutrition & physical healthPaid Time Off (PTO) 2 weeks vacation, provided on your start date3 weeks provided 1-4 years4 weeks provided 5-15 years4 weeks and 1 day provided 16 years4 weeks and 2 days provided 17 years4 weeks and 3 days provided 18 years4 weeks and 4 days provided 19 years5 weeks provided 20+ years11.5 paid holidays each year. Due to the nature of positions within the Police Department, employees will receive additional pay throughout the year – equivalent to 11.5 working days – for potentially needing to work on the dates listed belowNew Year's DayMartin Luther King Jr. DayGood FridayMemorial Day4th of JulyLabor DayVeterans DayThanksgivingDay After ThanksgivingChristmas EveChristmas DayNew Year's Eve (1/2 day)2 personal days provided each yearSick time earned each month, up to a maximum bank of 75 daysInsurance $50,000 Employer-provided benefitRetirement Automatic enrollment in the Illinois Police Pension Fund457 Account (similar to a 401k)Roth IRAAdditional benefits, such as compensatory time, are also provided to Unit 21 employees. Details can be found within the union's Collective Bargaining Agreement.01Have you been a Sworn Officer for 2 out of the last 3 years?YesNo02Have you read the Police Information Page and Administrative Directives? Question#J-18808-Ljbffr