Entry Level Police Officer

Position Information

Application Deadline:

• 07/11/25

Salary:

• Starting: $80,471.92

  BENEFITS:

  • HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL DAYS
  • The Village recognizes nine (9) paid holidays and grants Police Officers 24 hours of paid personal time during each fiscal year.
  • SICK LEAVE
  • Officers receive 8 hours sick time per month.
  • VACATION
  • Officers with one (1) to four (4) years of service receive 80 hours of paid vacation and progress to a maximum of 200 hours with 20 or more years of service.
  • INSURANCE
  • The Village offers comprehensive health and dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance coverage equal to one (1) times base salary, short-term disability, and a Section 125 plan for unreimbursed medical expenses.
  • PENSION PLAN
  • Officers participate in the Matteson Police Pension Plan and contribute 9.91% of their salary into the fund on a pre-tax basis. You must also contribute to Social Security at a total rate of 7.65%.
  • DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS (457)
  • Three (3) different deferred investment plans.
  • EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
  • A confidential Employee/Member Assistance Program is offered to all full-time employees and families, at no cost to the employee. This program provides comprehensive evaluation, counseling and referral, and online access to services and resources.
  • UNIFORMS
  • The Village furnishes full initial uniforms and leathers. Thereafter, each Officer is allotted an annual uniform allowance of $800. On and off duty, the Officer must purchase his/her weapons.
  • INCENTIVES
  • School Pay: Additional compensation for college degrees: Associate’s Degree ($1,200); Bachelor’s Degree ($1,500); Master’s Degree ($1,800).
  • Law Enforcement Certification: 1% of base pay for ILETSB certification and the satisfactory completion of on-going training programs to maintain the law enforcement certification by ILETSB.
  • POST 9/11 GI BILL BENEFITS:
  • Newly hired officers that have military experience can use their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to be paid for on-the-job training through VA certified agencies (MPD is a certified agency).
  • METROPOLITAN ALLIANCE OF POLICE (MAP):
  • Matteson Police Officers and Sergeants are represented by the Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP) union. Our current contract expires April 30, 2026.

Sworn:

• 45

Population:

• 19,000+

Position Details

MATTESON POLICE DEPARTMENT

NOW HIRING ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICERS

The Village of Matteson is now accepting applications for Entry Level Police Officers for the Matteson Police Department (MPD). If your skillsets include the following qualities, then you will want to be a part of the Matteson Police Department.

• Good communication skills and the ability to listen empathetically.
• High level of integrity where you instill trust in the people you serve.
• A strong sense of resilience and the ability to put personal feelings aside.
• Motivated by working for something greater than yourself.

Interested candidates should apply online at the Village of Matteson website under the Human Resources department tab:

www.villageofmatteson.org

There you will find a detailed job description and information regarding wages, benefits, the written examination and steps in the hiring and selection process.

There is no application fee.

If you have questions about this position or the hiring and selection process, contact Human Resources at:

708-283-4910 or 708-283-4949

MATTESON POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Matteson Police Department (MPD) serves the community with a staff of forty-five (45) sworn officers and sixteen (16) civilian employees. The Police Administration oversees operations conducted by a Patrol Division, Investigations Division, Records Division, and a Crime Prevention/Community Policing Bureau. Members of the Investigations Division also participate with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, an organization of Investigators from various agencies throughout the Chicago suburbs who, along with the Cook County Sheriff’s Police and the Illinois State Police, combine resources to investigate crimes of violence. We handle everything from Financial Crimes, Drug Investigations, Burglaries, etc.

Members of the MPD also receive specialized training in various aspects of law enforcement with assignments including but not limited to:

• Tactical Officer/Plain Clothes
• Bicycle Officer
• Juvenile Officer
• K-9 Officer
• Evidence Technician
• S.S.E.R.T. (South Suburban Emergency Response Team)
• S.M.A.R.T. (Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team)
• S.R.O. (School Resource Officer)
• F.T.O. (Field Training Officer)
• Range Officer/Firearms Instructor

MINIMUM EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

ENTRY LEVEL POLICE OFFICERS

• CITIZENSHIP: Must be a citizen of the United States.
• AGE: Must be 21 years of age and under 35 years of age at the time of application unless exempt by statue. Proof of birth date must be submitted at the time of application.
• HEIGHT & WEIGHT: Must be comparable for overall size and body structure.
• PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: Must demonstrate physical agility, muscular coordination, pass a rigid physical exam and drug test.
• CHARACTER: Must be of good moral character and temperate habits. Extensive background check and psychological testing required for final applicants.
• EDUCATION: Must have a High School diploma or G.E.D. at the time of application.
• RESIDENCY: As detailed in Article XXV of the CBA, employees have 18 months from date of hire, and continuously thereafter, to obtain residency within the following Illinois counties: Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Will and Kankakee.
• PEACE OFFICER WELLNESS EVALUATION REPORT TEST (POWER) TEST CARD
• Must provide proof of a valid and current (within 6 months) POWER Test Card at the time of the written examination. For test information contact:
• NIPSTA https://www.nipsta.org/202/POWER-Test
• Joliet Community College https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/places-interest/power-testing
• Triton College https://www.triton.edu/about/dept/academic/school-of-business-and-technology/criminal-justice-administration/power-registration-policy/
• Out-of-state candidates must have an equivalent POWER Test Card from your state.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION AND HIRING/SELECTION PROCESS:

PHASE 1

Written Examination: Written exams will be conducted at the Matteson Community Center on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 9:00 am. You must register with the Human Resources department in order to take the exam. Candidates must score 70 points or above on the written examination in order to move to Phase 2.

Below is the link to purchase a Candidate Preparation Manual and/or a Practice Test from CPS HR Consulting. These materials are optional but highly recommended. The link and access to the materials you purchase is valid until July 19, 2025.

https://crc.cpshr.us/default.aspx?ID=LAW206497

Candidate Preparation Manuals - $5

Includes detailed recommendations on important concepts, such as the most effective test-taking strategies and methods, specific information about CPS HR test forms, and what to expect on the day of the test administration. Also includes several practice questions covering each section of the test, along with helpful tools, like a sample answer sheet and template test instructions for candidates to prepare before the day of the test.

Practice Tests - $15

Simulates full-length versions of CPS HR tests and have been designed to replicate the look and feel of test-day material. Contains practice items across the same sections contained in our test forms. When candidates have completed the online practice exam, they will receive a breakdown of their scores by section. (Candidates will not receive a list of the questions and answers.) In addition, candidates can re-take the exam one additional time at no cost.

For Technical Support contact:

CPS HR –CRC

crcsupport@cpshr.us

(t) 916.471.3538

M-F 8am-5pm (PST)

POWER Test Card

If you are in the process of obtaining a current POWER Test Card, it must be submitted no later than at the oral interview (provided you receive a passing score on the written examination).

PHASE 2

Oral Interview: Candidates who successfully complete Phase 1 will be scheduled for a group oral interview (of five or fewer candidates). The interview will be conducted by an interview panel of people with substantial experience and expertise in law enforcement. Oral interviews will be conducted within two (2) weeks after the written examination. Candidates will be notified of the specific date, time, and location.

In-Depth Background Investigation: Candidates must be of good moral character and will be subject to a thorough background investigation including, but not limited to, police records check, credit check, work history, inquiries of neighbors and relatives, and other references.

Candidates may be eliminated from the process at any time based on information obtained from the background investigation. This includes, but is not limited to, information discovered about the candidate that would reflect negatively upon the Matteson Police Department if the candidate were hired. A conviction record may be considered on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily disqualify a candidate. However, Illinois State law precludes appointment as a Police Officer with any felony conviction or any disqualifying conviction as set forth in 65ILCS 5/10-1-7(c).

Preference Points:

• Education Preference – 5 points. Candidate must have an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice or Public Administration from an accredited Community or Junior College or a Bachelor’s Degree in any field from an accredited College or University.
• Previously Certified as a Police Officer – 5 points.
• Military Preference – 5 points. Candidate must have served a minimum of 12 months on active duty in the service of the U.S. Military and has either been honorably discharged or, in lieu of an honorable discharge, is still serving in an active or inactive reserve status.
• Experience Preference – 2 points. Awarded to candidates that participated in the Matteson Police Cadet program.

There is a five (5) point maximum, as points are non-cumulative. The exception is preference points awarded to candidates that participated in the Matteson Cadet Explorer program.

FINAL POLICE ELIGIBILITY REGISTER:

Final Police Eligibility Register:

Candidates who pass Phase 1 and 2 will be placed on the Final Police Eligibility Register and will be reviewed and approved by the Fire and Police Commission.

Physical, Drug Screen, and Psychological Evaluation:

Candidates selected from the Final Police Eligibility Register must pass a physical examination, drug screen, and psychological evaluation. Final appointment is contingent upon passing all of these components.