VILLAGE OF WINNEBAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FULL-TIME OFFICERS
Starting Wage: $56,805 – $63,619 DOE
Here at the Village of Winnebago Police Department, we are looking to expand our current staff to immediately fill two vacancies and establish a list for potential hiring needs in the future. The Winnebago Police Department provides 24/7 coverage to the Village of Winnebago, Illinois.
The Village of Winnebago is located just west of the City of Rockford and offers a small-town charm and one-on-one interactions with our community. The Winnebago Police Department is committed to creating and maintaining a professional and community-oriented police service. With our dedicated officers, the Department is equipped and trained to handle many different types of emergency situations.
Newly appointed officers will be assigned to night shift after completion of Field Training.
- Paid overtime & holiday pay (10 paid holidays a year), nightshift differential
- 12-hour shifts, every other three-day weekend off (Friday/Saturday/Sunday)
- Pay dependent on experience.
- Annual cost of living increase coupled with annual raises.
- First issue uniforms and equipment provided, uniform allowance after first year - pistol issued with optic.
- 90%(employer)-10%(employee) paid healthcare and dental with optional vision coverage. Life and disability insurance.
- Sick time accrued based on years of service plus two personal days a year.
- Vacation time is based on years of service to the Village of Winnebago.
- 2 personal days a year to be used at any time.
- IMRF retirement system (Tier Two for newly hired officers)
Candidates for lateral appointment to the position of Police Officer must meet the following minimum qualifications and requirements at the time of application:
- Must have successfully completed the Illinois Basic Law Enforcement Academy and possess certification from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board or be qualified to take the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board “Out of State Reciprocity” requirements to include: Mandatory Firearms Training and the Law for Illinois Police Equivalency Exam
- Sworn, certified law enforcement officer within the last 3 years preceding the date of application. Municipal experience preferred, but not required.
- Applicants must be in good standing in the police department for which they serve or were laid off from.
- Candidates that do not meet these requirements will not be considered for lateral hiring.
Minimum Criteria for all candidates:
- Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
- Individuals must be at least 21 years old.
- Education – High School diploma or its equivalent.
- Must have no felony (or certain misdemeanor) convictions and be of good moral character.
- Possess substantially equivalent skills and abilities of a police officer.
- Possession of an Illinois Driver’s License and the ability to obtain a FOID card.
Application and Hiring Process:
All applications will be screened to confirm minimum qualifications are met. To proceed with the application process, any prospective Applicant shall obtain an application packet from the link below. The application packet will include, but is not necessarily limited to, an application, waivers of liability, benefit information, examination information, etc. The application, Authority to Release Information form, Acknowledgment/Consent Background, and Waiver/Release of Liability by Applicant for Public Employment forms all must be completed in their entirety, duly executed, and submitted to the Village of Winnebago, in person by Applicant due to notary requirement. Qualified applications are kept on file and applicants may be selected for further consideration at a future date.
Professional Examinations:
Non-Lateral (newly appointed police officer) candidates must pass written exam and the Illinois Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (P.O.W.E.R.) test. Non-lateral applicants shall be under 35 years of age according to 65 ILCS 5/10-2.1-6 (a). Non-lateral candidates may be subject to an employment contract for the cost of academy training for a term not to exceed three years beyond their probational period. Details on the P.O.W.E.R. test can be found here:
https://www.ptb.illinois.gov/media/1755/new-power-test-chart-2023.pdf
Interview:
Applicants selected for further consideration will be invited to a mandatory oral interview with the Police Committee Chair, Chief of Police and Sergeant. Only those applicants who received an official recommend referral to proceed from the Police Committee will be advanced in the hiring process.
Qualified applicants who have been recommended by the Police Committee may be further considered for employment, but are subject to the following professional examinations to be considered for appointment:
- Physical Fitness Assessment (if applicable)
- Background Investigation
- Psychological Examination
- Medical Examination
The Village of Winnebago is an equal opportunity employer.
If you have any questions, please contact Sergeant III Nicholas Haff via email: haff [at] bagopolice.com