The Tinley Park Police Department consists of 94 sworn officers throughout all ranks. It has a strong reputation as a career department; officers who work for the Village tend to stay for the entirety of their career. Tinley Park is the 19th largest municipality in Illinois, which requires an active police department to help serve residents and visitors. Within the department, there is an abundance of opportunity to train in specialty areas, or join specialized units.
Authorized Positions: Police Chief, Deputy Chief, 4 Commanders, 11 Sergeants and 77 Patrol Officers.
Salary and BenefitsThe Tinley Park Police Department has a highly competitive salary and benefit package. Regardless of starting salary, nearly every officer makes more than $100,000 annually in total compensation through the additional stipends and overtime opportunities.
The Tinley Park Police Officers are collectively bargained through the Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP). Sergeants, while not collectively bargained, have an agreement with the Village outlining certain wages and benefits.
Patrol Officer Salary Range (Inclusive of Additional Stipends): $84,831 to $124,206
Sergeant Salary Range (Inclusive of Additional Stipends): $123,791 to $148,894
Tinley Park is an active community with several major assets. Between the Tinley Park Convention Center, 11 hotels, the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, the nearly 1,000 businesses, two high schools and more than 200 public/private events a year, there is a high earning potential for overtime. Benefits include the following:
- Comprehensive medical (BlueCross BlueShield), dental (MetLife), Vision (VSP), life insurance, and flexible spending account benefits upon date of hire
- Contribution for medical insurance is only 12%
- Every officer is provided their own squad car. Officers who live in town are permitted to take the vehicle home for personal use under Project 75.
- There is no in-town residency requirement; officers must live within 30 miles of any Tinley Park border. Residency in Indiana is not permitted.
- Holiday check annually each December in the amount of 88 hours, plus 25 hours of comp time. In addition to this pay, if an officer works on a holiday, they receive double pay.
- Vacation time ranging from one to five weeks based on years of service
- Three personal days awarded annually
- Generous disability policy designated by Ordinance 1970-O-02 providing for time off based on years of service
- 75-hour comp time bank
- Uniform stipend $1,200 check annually
- Education incentive up to $2,640 for a B.S. or B.A. degree annually
- Longevity pay $1,020 to $3,180 based on years of service annually
- Marksmanship pay $72 to $120 a year based on proficiency
- Stipends for participation in specialty units
- Investigator $2,000
- K-9 extra pay based on hours; all K-9 care is paid for
- Field training officers receive five extra hours at the rate of time and a half for each 80 hours of training they work.
Department Highlights
In addition to competitive salary and benefits, other department highlights include:
- Unlike most departments, the Tinley Park Police Department's shift schedule consists of four 10-hour shifts. Shifts are Sunday through Wednesday (A Division), or Wednesday through Saturday (B Division)
- A Division Day Shift: 0400 to 1400
- A Division Afternoon Shift: 1330 to 2330
- A Division Night Shift: 1830 to 0430
- B Division Day Shift: 0400 to 1400
- B Division Afternoon Shift: 1330 to 2330
- B Division Night Shift: 0400 to 1400
- Every month, each division has one workday dedicated to in-house training and one day dedicated to their court call.
- The department has various specialized positions/units which currently includes 10 Investigators, (2) Traffic Safety Unit, (2) School Resource Officers, (1) K-9 Officer, (5) Street Crimes Suppression Unit, (1) NARCINT, (1) DEA Task Force, (2) South Suburban Emergency Response Team, Advanced Evidence Technician Team, Computer/Cell Phone Forensic Examiners, Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force, and the Drone Team.
- The Tinley Park Police Department offers opportunities for growth within the department. Outside of specialty units and training opportunities, there have been 17 promotions within the department over the last five years alone.
- The department highly encourages training, and pays for outside training (in addition to mandated training) for all officers that wish to pursue opportunities or specialties.
- There have been significant dollars dedicated toward improving technology the last several years, including:
- Upgraded radio system with new portable radios assigned to each officer
- In-car printers
- LPR Cameras
- Fusus
- Drones
- Annual squad car replacement program to replace aging squads and maintain a well-functioning fleet
- The Pension Fund is 76% funded, which is higher than most pension funds throughout the State. The Village contributes 52% of an officer's salary toward police pension, and pays above and beyond baseline pension contributions to ensure the pension fund remains healthy
- There is strong community involvement, as demonstrated by the annual Citizen’s Police Academy, annual participation in National Night Out, Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, Coffee with a Cop, Special Olympics Fundraisers, Tinley Wish, etc.
- Through its participation in Special Olympics over the years, the Tinley Park Police Department is a top contributor and supporter of the foundation.
Hiring Process
The Tinley Park Police Department is actively hiring for both Entry-Level Officers and Lateral Officers. The Village hires patrol officers through the Civil Service Commission, which is similar to a Police and Fire Commission.
Requirements for Entry-Level Hires include:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be at least 21 and no more than 34 years of age upon application
- Education:
- Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree from a four-year college or university; or
- Associate degree or 60 hours of college credit with at least a “C” average (or equivalent) and with an emphasis, in either case, being placed on course work in the law enforcement field; or
- An existing part-time Patrol Officer with the Village of Tinley Park pursuant to Section 33.20 of the Village of Tinley Park Code who has been a part-time Patrol Officer with the Village for a minimum of four years, prior to application and also has met the minimum training requirements for full-time Police Officers established by the State of Illinois.
- Valid Drivers License
- Valid POWER card dated within 6 months of application
- If you are an existing ILETSB Certified Patrol Officer, but have less than two years full-time experience, submittal of your ILETSB Certification is required instead of a P.O.W.E.R card.
Requirements for Lateral Hires include:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be at least 21 and no more than 39 years of age upon application
- Must have fulfilled the requirements of the Illinois Police Training Act (ILETSB Certified) and have been employed as a full-time Police Officer for at least 2 years.
- Valid Drivers License
How does the hiring process work?
Entry-Level Hires
Entry-level hires must first participate in a written exam. If a candidate receives a passing score of 70% or above, they will complete a pass or fail interview with members of the command staff. Once the written exam and interviews are completed, a preliminary eligibility register will be compiled. Any individual with military experience or prior full-time policy experience have the ability to exercise preference points. Once any requests for preference points are received, a final eligibility register will be compiled, approved by the Civil Service Commission and published.
When vacancies become available, the Commission will certify a candidate in order of ranking on the eligibility register. The candidate will be notified via email and mail that they have been certified and can begin completing pre-employment testing. The pre-employment tests include a polygraph, psychological exam, medical/physical exam, and background investigation.
Upon successful completion of all components of pre-employment, the Commission will appoint the individual and a formal offer letter will be extended. A start date is coordinated, where the individual will first complete an Admin Week with a member of the Police Department. They will then begin the next available academy (typically SLEA), which lasts about three months or so. Once successfully completing the academy, the individual will then move into the Field Training program, which tends to range from three to four months.
Lateral Hires
Lateral hire applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. When an application is received, it is reviewed to ensure all requirements are met, then the individual is placed on the eligibility register.
When vacancies become available, the Commission will certify a candidate in order of ranking on the eligibility register. The candidate will be notified via email and mail that they have been certified and can begin completing pre-employment testing. The pre-employment tests include a polygraph, psychological exam, medical/physical exam, and background investigation.
Upon successful completion of all components of pre-employment, the Commission will appoint the individual and a formal offer letter will be extended. A start date is coordinated, where the individual will first complete an Admin Week with a member of the Police Department. From there, the individual will then move into our Field Training program, which tends to range from three to four months. Lateral hires do not need to attend an academy, unless they are a transfer from out of State, in which case they will need to complete the ILETSB reciprocity process.
Police Department Organizational Chart
General Information
Tinley Park is a dynamic community of nearly 57,000 people in the southwest region of Chicago that spans roughly 16 square miles. Ideally located just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago and nearby Midway International Airport, Tinley Park has an excellent business mix and combines the advantages of a vibrant suburban community with the competitive strengths of the Chicago market. Tinley Park is home to the Credit Union 1 Amphitheater, and in line with the Life Amplified brand, hosts an array of special events year-round for residents and visitors alike.
The Village has nearly 500 part-time and full-time employees across all departments.
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