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

Open Testing & Applications

The Carbondale Police Department hosts open testing for entry level police officer twice a year (spring and fall) and CPD also accepts lateral entry police officer applications year round. Applications for entry level police officer can be filled out online or downloaded (PDF) and applications for lateral entry police officer can be downloaded (PDF) or obtained from the Human Resources Department.

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