Local

Chicago Police Department Superintendent Johnson Welcomes 111 New Police Recruits


Chicago Police
Source: Chicagocopstuff.com

Applications open for new police entry exam as city makes progress on CPD hiring plan

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–August 15, 2017. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent Eddie Johnson welcomed today 111 new police recruits to the Department’s Training Academy, the eighth class of new recruits this year as part of the Department’s hiring plan to add nearly 1,000 officers. As part of the hiring plan, applications open today for candidates who want the opportunity to take the CPD Entry Exam and apply to become a Chicago police officer.

“I’m immensely proud and grateful of the new police recruits who will work with our communities, block-by-block to ensure every street corner in all 77 neighborhoods belong to the children and families of Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The new class will be trained on the history of our diverse communities and our new use of force policy which focuses on de-escalation of conflict.”

The August class of recruits will benefit from new training opportunities initiated this year as part of the Departments reform efforts and commitment to rebuilding trust through training that reflects the city’s values and cultural heritage. These training include, the Department’s new use of force policies released this past May following month of public input, a new cultural awareness training at the DuSable Museum of African American History. The August class is 20% women and includes 60% minority recruits. In addition, eight are military veterans.

“I am proud to welcome the next generation of Chicago police officers who will be part of our efforts to provide better service to all Chicagoans and more effectively combat crime,” said CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson. “We are committed to investing in our personnel and training to give us the resources we need to make our city and our officers safer.”

“I applaud the Police Department’s continued commitment to encourage people from all backgrounds to serve on the police force,” Department of Human Resources Commissioner Soo Choi said. “We can see the benefit of removing barriers to the application process and making it easier for applicants to follow through on the exam in this new group of recruits and hope to see the same success in their ability to better serve and understand the diverse public.”

Today also marks the first day new candidates can apply for the next Police Entry Exam on the weekend of December 16, and be part of a new generation of police officers who will be future leaders who define how police support, protect, and work together with Chicago’s communities. The city has taken several steps to remove barriers to application and make it easier for candidates to take the exam. In addition to holding a second exam in one calendar year, the City has eliminated the $30 exam fee, provided reduced-price parking on exam days, and developed opt-in text and email reminders to keep candidates engaged throughout the recruitment period.

“The Mayor, the Police Department and the City of Chicago reaffirmed our sworn commitment to improving public safety and increasing the ties between police and the communities they serve with this new class,” said Chairman Reboyras. “Together we will work to get guns, gangs and kids off the street while expanding and improving upon the community partnerships that empower our officers. I want to thank every recruit for their incredible selflessness and sacrifice.”

During the six-month police academy, recruits learn all applicable laws and protocols for being a Chicago Police Officer. In addition to physical training, they receive instruction in procedural justice, crisis intervention and de-escalation, use of force, community building and critical thinking. Over the past year, and as outlined in the Department’s Next Steps for Reform, CPD is adding a state of the art scenario-based curriculum as well as new training around cultural awareness to ensure that officers receive the highest quality training for the complex challenges that await them.

As part of the hiring plan, last month Superintendent Johnson announced that nearly 100 probationary police officers were deployed to districts predominantly on the South and West sides as CPD continues to fight violence. With this newest class, more than 500 recruits are currently in training at the police academy. So far in 2017, as part of the Department’s hiring plan, CPD also promoted 52 Lieutenants, 142 Sergeants, 266 Detectives and 122 Field Training Officers. In April, following a successful recruitment campaign aimed at increasing the diversity of candidates, more than 16,500 applicants were invited to take the exam, self-reporting as 31.7% female and 73.4% nonwhite.

The minimum age to apply and take the police exam is 20. At the time of hire (not at time of application), candidates must be a resident of the city of Chicago, have a valid State of Illinois Driver’s License, have 60 semester hours of college credit or 36 months of continuous active duty service; or one year continuous active service with 30 semester hours college credit. Officers who join the Chicago Police Department make $72,510 after 18 months and are eligible for healthcare benefits, tuition reimbursement, clothing allowances and a retirement plan while they are employed by CPD.

Source: http://cityofchicago.org


ARCHIVES