Police Officer - Entry Level

Gurnee Police Officer

The mission of the Gurnee Police Department is to defend the lives, rights, and quality of life of all the residents and visitors we serve with honor and integrity. The men and women of the department are fully committed to accomplishing this mission by achieving four fundamental objectives:

• Crime Prevention - to provide a proactive and educational approach to reducing crime.
• Crime Control - to provide a rapid and professional response to confront crime as it occurs.
• Community Involvement - to create an excellent partnership with the community through exceptional communication and transparency.
• Team Building - to create an excellent work environment so we can recruit and develop an exceptional team.

We are seeking candidates who value these objectives. Community Population: 30,700 Department Personnel: Sworn Officers: 71; 110 total members including sworn officers, sworn supervisory, management, and civilian personnel

Gurnee Police Department – What We Offer:

• Competitive Pay
• 12-hour shifts [primarily 0600 – 1800 or 1800 – 0600 hours]
• GI Bill on-the-job training program
• All required equipment, uniforms, and bullet proof vest provided
• Excellent benefits and robust wellness program
• Visible tattoos permitted within department policy parameters [no head, face, neck, hand/finger tattoos]
• Facial hair - mustaches, sideburns, goatees and beards permitted within department policy parameters
• Department commitment and focus on Officer training and mental health / wellness
• Future promotion opportunities and specialized assignments
• No residency or living radius requirement

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

• Patrolling assigned areas to deter and detect criminal activity and ensure public safety
• Responding to emergency calls such as accidents, disturbances, or crimes in progress
• Investigating crimes and accidents, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and suspects, and preparing detailed reports
• Arresting and processing suspects in accordance with legal procedures
• Issuing citations and enforcing traffic laws to maintain order on roads and public spaces
• Participating in community programs to prevent crime and build trust between law enforcement and the public
• Collaborating with other agencies such as schools, social services, and local businesses to address safety concerns and reduce crime.

Minimum Requirements / Qualifications:

• United States citizen or Naturalized citizen; verification of eligibility to work in the United States
• Minimum 20 years of age (21 years of age by police academy graduation date) and less than 35 years of age as of application deadline unless otherwise exempt. Military Veterans may exceed the maximum age by the number of years served on active military duty but by no more than 10 years of active military duty.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent thereof.
• Valid driver's license.
• AND at least one of the following:
• 60 hours of college credit at time of application [must provide transcript showing 60 hours complete with application]; OR
• At least two (2) years United States military service; OR
• Experience as a full time sworn law enforcement officer; must be able to be certified in accordance with 50 ILCS 705/8.1 [submit certificate with application]
• Written Examination Requirement: FrontLine National Exam and PSSA through National Testing Network - complete by September 21, 2026.
• Cost of examination is the responsibility of the candidate unless eligible for hardship fee waiver, no refunds. Candidates may take the test virtually or in-person at an NTN testing center. For assistance with virtual examinations, click here for more details. For other problems or questions or hardship fee waiver form, email NTN Customer Support: View email address on click.appcast.io.
• Application Requirement: Gurnee Police Officer Employment Application – apply through this website & submit required documents by September 21, 2026
• *Note: Candidate PHQ completed through NTN website does not meet the application requirement.

The Village of Gurnee encourages qualified candidates who share our commitment to diversity and non-discrimination to apply for available positions. The Village of Gurnee is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding employment.

Full-time Police Officers covered under the FOP Collective Bargaining agreement receive a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time; holiday time; sick accrual and unused sick incentive program; participation in Downstate Police Pension fund; health insurance plan choice of PPO or HMO; dental insurance; vision insurance; employer paid life insurance; and participation in a Retirement Health Savings (RHS) plan. Other supplemental programs are available including 457 deferred compensation plans; Section 125 flexible spending / dependent care accounts; employee / spouse / dependent supplemental life insurance; Roth IRA programs; LegalShield; long term care insurance through Trustmark Insurance; and AFLAC supplemental insurance.

Voluntary Physical Fitness Incentive Program - receive compensation for successful completion

Robust wellness program – includes a wellness room, sauna, access to wellness / mental health resources, monthly on-site physical therapist visits