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Apply with ISUPD

Join our diverse police team and help us serve the community of Illinois State University!

Currently accepting applications for a sworn police officer.

If you are interested in future openings not listed here please fill out the Testing Mailing List form.

View Testing and Training Details

Testing Mailing List

To make us aware of your interest in joining our team, simply complete the Applicant Interest Form to be notified of our next police officer testing period. Please note: This is NOT an application for employment.

Already a Sworn Officer and Looking for a Change?

ISU Police accepts lateral applicants who currently work as police officers (certified in the State of Illinois), without taking the standard entry tests. Applicants who are currently employed with other State of Illinois law enforcement, including state university police, can also apply as transfers and do not have to go through the standard testing process. For more information, qualifications, and to apply for the register, view the posting.

Department Positions

  • Sworn Positions

    • Patrol Officer
    • General Investigations Detective
    • Bike Patrol Officer
    • Narcotics Investigations Detective (through Task Force 6)
    • Field Training Officer
    • Emergency Response Unit Officers (through NPD ERU)
    • Firearms Instructor
    • Community Engagement Unit
    • Other areas of specialized training or regional task forces
  • Non-sworn Positions

    • Police Telecommunicator
    • Administrative Clerical positions
    • Student volunteers

Applicants for Sworn Positions Must:

  • Possess a valid State of Illinois Driver's License.
  • Have no record of conviction of a felony.
  • Pass a background investigation.
  • Possess a high school diploma or G.E.D.
  • Be at least 21 years of age.
  • Have successfully completed the Illinois Basic Law Enforcement Officers Training Course. Applicants lacking this training at time of appointment will be required to complete the training during and as part of their probationary period of employment in this classification.

Salary & Benefits

Sworn officers (apart from lieutenant, deputy chief, and Chief) are unionized. Please view the current Unit 1 PBPA Union Contract for more information.

The ISU Human Resources website also contains further information than listed below. Be aware that sworn officers in the ISU Police Department carry the Civil Service non-exempt designation.

Sworn Officer Salary Plan

Effective January 1, 2024

0-12 months $31.38/hr
12+ to 24 months $33.36/hr
24+ to 36 months $34.31/hr
36+ to 48 months $34.77/hr
48+ to 60 months $35.80/hr
5 years $36.37/hr
7 years $36.83/hr
10 years $37.31/hr
15 years $38.24/hr
20 years $39.16/hr

*Schedule A rates will be adjusted by the percentage of the publicly announced campus wage program. Should the publicly announced campus wage program fall below 2.0%, either party may request to open negotiations for the purposes of wages only up to impasse procedures including interest arbitration. This shall not be precedent setting for future wage increases, and does not constitute an acceptance of the historical practice of standard wage increases for future negotiations (breakthrough).