Recruiting

Honor, Integrity, Professionalism, and Dedication. These four words describe all the Carbondale Police Department Officers. Do you have what it takes to join our team and be a Carbondale Police Officer?

The Carbondale Police Department offers several different assignments and specialized training for police officers including:

  • Canine Officers
  • Community Resource Office
  • Crime Scene Unit
  • Explosive Ordinance Disposal
  • Hostage Negotiation Team
  • Investigations
  • Mobile Field Force
  • Narcotics Unit
  • Special Response Team

ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICER:

Open Testing & Applications

The Carbondale Police Department hosts open testing for entry level police officer once in the spring and once in the fall. (There is no testing for entry level at this time). 

Carbondale Police Application Requirements

  • Age 21 (20 with certain restrictions)
  • Associates Degree (or 60 semester hours) - Education requirements go down with police experience and prior completion of police academy
  • No record of felony offenses, or certain misdemeanor offenses
  • No visible tattoos
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Valid Driver’s License

Selection Process

The Carbondale Police Officer selection process is conducted in six steps:

  1. Pre-Application Contact – Meeting the candidate and the candidate submitting an application
  2. Written Examination
  3. Physical Agility Exam- Illinois Power Test
  4. Interview with Board of Fire and Police Commissioners
  5. Administrative Interview with Human Resource Officer, Chief of Police, Deputy Chiefs, and other selected members of the Carbondale Police Department.
  6. Pre-employment Screening - Includes Background Investigation, Psychological Exam, Medical Exam, and Drug Testing

EXPERIENCE/LATER POLICE OFFICER:


Open Testing & Applications

If you have two or more years of post-probationary work experience as a police officer and meet the outlined qualifications, you are eligible for the Lateral Police Officer Program. Applications for experienced police officers are accepted on an on-going basis and are reviewed weekly. Oral interviews are determined by the hiring needs of the Department.

To apply for employment with the City of Carbondale, download the Lateral Entry Police Officer Application and email to the Human Resources Manager or mail to:

City of Carbondale
Human Resources Office
200 S. Illinois Avenue

Qualifications

Applicants for lateral appointment to the position of Police Officer must meet the following minimum qualifications and requirements at the time of application:

  • State of Illinois certification by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board with no more than forty (40) hours of training required by that Board for recertification, if necessary. Certification by the state of employment outside Illinois will also be accepted provided the certification will be accepted and recognized by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board with no more than forty (40) hours of training required by that Board for recertification, if necessary. (Part-time certification as a law enforcement officer does not meet this requirement.)
  • United States citizen
  • Individuals must be at least 21 years old
  • Education - High school education or equivalent thereof
  • Experience – at least 2 years experience as a full time sworn, certified law enforcement officer with a municipal or state police department within the last 3 years of Candidates with less than 2 years experience may be considered if the candidate has completed 60 hours of college credit or has 2 years active duty military experience in addition to full time sworn certified law enforcement officer experience.
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Must agree to comply with all requirements of the position and have the ability to pass all examination and training requirements.
  • Ability to furnish upon request, a copy of the following: a resume; professional licenses; training certificates; documents confirming work experience; birth certificate; high school diploma or GED certificate; transcripts of higher learning; naval or military service board and discharge papers (DD-214); employee evaluations; and any other employment related material as requested or required.