Police Officer; Entry Level

Career Opportunities with City of Des Plaines

A great place to work.

Careers At City of Des Plaines

Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.

The City is proud to partner with National Testing Network (NTN) on the next Police Officer Eligibility Test. NTN provides the ability to apply and test for our department from the comfort of your home and on your schedule. Interested persons must complete testing at the NTN in addition to completing this application. Candidates must complete an examination at the agreed upon time set by NTN and it must be completed BEFORE January 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. If you schedule to complete your exam after the deadline, you will not be considered eligible for this call for applications.

All testing protocols set by NTN are to be strictly adhered to by the candidate. Failure to adhere to the testing guidelines will result in an incomplete application.

Applications must be filled out directly on the City’s website. No written or emailed application will be accepted.

You must submit the following documents in addition to the completed application:

• Signed Consent and Release Forms
• Copy of your high school diploma (or GED)
• Copy of valid driver’s license (both sides)
• Copy of birth record as proof of citizenship/residency
• Must possess a valid POWER test card issued by a licensed agency and dated within six months prior to being called for the background investigation. POWER test cards may be obtained from any of the following agencies:
  • Joliet Junior College: 1215 Houbolt Rd., Joliet, IL – email: jgraham or
  • Triton College: 2000 5 th Ave., River Grove, IL – (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). or  x3326
  • NIPSTA: 2300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL –  or

All applications and materials must be submitted by January 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

• Generous Health (10% employee premium share), Dental (12% employee premium share), and Vision (20% employee premium share) insurance package, which are detailed here.
• Tuition reimbursement program for those obtaining a career applicable associates, bachelor, or graduate degree from an accredited educational institution. Reimbursement of up to two (2) classes per semester; percentage reimbursed is based on grades.
• Paid-Time Off including Vacation accruals, Sick accruals, Personal Leave accruals (after four years) and Earned Compensatory Time.
• Retirement savings options including a Retirement Health Savings plan, 457b, Roth IRA options through Mission Square and Nationwide.
• Yearly uniform allowance.
• Additional compensation for bi-lingual speakers.
• Specialty and growth opportunities including:
  Detective, Task Force Officer, Evidence Technician, Tactical Response Team, Traffic Unit, Specialized Training and Relations Team, Field Training Officer, Negotiator, k9 Officer and School Resources Officer.

For questions pertaining to the application and process, please contact the Des Plaines Police Department at  or email jnelson.

The mission of the Des Plaines Police Department, through the utilization of a Community Based Policing philosophy, is to protect people and property, and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. We preserve the peace in a manner consistent with the freedoms secured by the U.S. Constitution of the United States utilizing a fiscally responsible approach.

• If not already a member, a $55 non-refundable membership fee to National Testing Network (NTN), and/or $12 to participate in City of Des Plaines examination testing
• U.S. Resident
• High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Valid driver’s license (valid Illinois driver’s license by date of hire)
• 20 to under 35 years of age as of the date of the written exam, but must be 21 prior to appointment, unless otherwise provided by the Rules and Regulations and/or Illinois Statute (e.g., exception for attaining age 35 during military service, exception for certain previous full-time police officer employment)
• No felony convictions
• Residency in Illinois by date of hire
• Must possess a valid POWER test card issued by a licensed agency and dated within six months prior to being…