Applicants MUST also pass the Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (P.O.W.E.R.) test before entry into the police academy. Please refer to the link below that has information about the P.O.W.E.R. test.

This can not be waived and is a State of Illinois requirement before entry into a police academy.

For information about taking the POWER test, please contact one of the following agencies:

•  NIPSTA – Glenview, IL – www.nipsta.org
•  Joliet Junior College – contact Janet Graham at 815.280.2674
•  Triton College – 2000 Fifth Avenue, River Grove, IL 60171; 708.456.0300 – www.triton.edu/power

See the State of Illinois POWER Test requirements that you MUST meet by clicking HERE

THE PROCESS

Entry Level Police Officer Candidates must complete the following:

• Application
• Orientation
• Background investigation
• Oral interview
• Polygraph test
• Psychological test
• Written examination

ANY OTHER RULES OR TESTING REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH BY THE BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS.

Once all tests are passed,  a conditional offer of employment will be offered requiring the candidate to pass a complete physical examination and drug screening. Again, the Candidate MUST ALSO PASS THE POWER TEST to be admitted into the police academy. This is State law and can not be bypassed. 

WORKING FOR THE ROLLING MEADOWS POLICE DEPARTMENT:

Rolling Meadows Police Department currently employs 52 full-time officers and 19 civilian support employees. Career rewards and developments are important aspects of the department. Training and experience through a variety of positions and ranks are readily available to any officer committed to becoming fulfilled in their job as a Rolling Meadows Police Officer. 

Once new officers are trained at the police academy the new officers are assigned to a Field Training Officer (FTO). The new officer then undergoes an intensive 14 week Field Training program. Here they are assigned to a Field Training Officer that trains the new officer on police procedures and how to be the best Rolling Meadows Police Officer our city expects. The new officer is then placed on 18 months probation. Once the new officers pass probation he/she is then assigned to patrol and a 3-year process of in-service and academic training begins. This process allows them to advance into such positions as:

• Bicycle Officer
• Evidence Technician
• Gang Specialist
• Detective
• DEA/HIDTA Task Force Officer
• NIPAS/EST Team (SWAT)
• Juvenile Officer
• School Resource Officer
• Traffic Specialist
• Traffic Accident Specialist
• Field Training Officer (FTO)
• Defensive Tactics Instructor
• Firearms Range Instructor
• Major Case Assistance Team Investigator and Evidence Technician
• STAR Team (Major Accident Reconstruction)
• K9 Officer

These are just a few positions that are available within a Rolling Meadows Police Officer's career path. The department also encourages and trains officers for future promotional opportunities.

ROLLING MEADOWS POLICE BENEFITS

*Current Rolling Meadows Police Association contract January 2022-December 31, 2025*

Entry Level Police Officer:

*A certified officer participating in the entry level process may start at a higher step.

• Police Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Special Duty Pay
• Compensatory Time
• Vacation Time
• Holiday Time
• Longevity pay
• Court time
• Uniforms and vest are supplied.
• Permanent 8 hour work schedule consisting of 6 days on and 3 days off.
• Work hours:
  • 7am-3pm
  • 3pm-11pm
  • 11pm-7am

TOBACCO POLICY

As of May 2, 2005, all persons accepting employment with the City of Rolling Meadows Police Department must agree that they will not smoke, chew, or use any tobacco product(s) on duty during the entire tenure of their employment. If they do smoke, chew, or use any tobacco product(s) while on duty at any time during the entire tenure of employment, they will be subject to dismissal for cause.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the job of a Rolling Meadows Police Officer?

The job description of a Rolling Meadows Police Officer can be found by clicking here. You may also find the Rolling Meadows Police Officer Information Guide by clicking here. 

Why is College required by the Rolling Meadows Fire and Police Commission?

Many police departments including Rolling Meadows Police Department, now require new officers to have a college education. Research indicates that college-educated officers:

• Perform police tasks better.
• Are better writers and public speakers.
• Are better able to deal with different cultures, races, and lifestyles.
• Have fewer disciplinary problems.

Evidence of education (official transcript) must be provided at the time of application.

Are there any age requirements?

The short answer is yes. Police Department applicants must be 21 years of age at the time of application deadline and 35 years of age at time of appointment. A veteran shall be allowed to exceed the maximum age provision of this Section by the number of years served on active military duty, but by no more than 10 years of active military duty in accordance with Section 5/10-2.1-6 of the Fire and Police Commissioner’s Act.

Why is it a requirement to pass the Illinois POWER Test before entering the police academy?

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, in recognizing the importance of physical fitness status for academy performance (and eventual job performance), has established the Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) test for entering any of the Illinois certified police academies.

The POWER test will be provided to all candidates prior to entering the academy to see if each individual meets the standards. These fitness entrance requirements help to ensure that each recruit can undergo both the physical and academic demands of an academy without undue risk of injury and with a level of fatigue tolerance to meet all academy requirements. If the applicant does NOT meet all the standards, the recruit will NOT be allowed to enter the academy. In an effort to brief police administrators and police applicants, this pamphlet will provide information on the rationale, purpose, testing and procedures, standards of performance and fitness activities to prepare for the POWER test. It is intended to answer the basic questions pertaining to all aspects of the fitness testing process. Any questions you may have about these standards should be directed to the Illinois Enforcement Training and Standards Board's Office at 217-782-4540.

Are there any factors that may disqualify an entry level candidate from proceeding forward in the process?

Yes, The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of Rolling Meadows may refuse to examine any applicant, or after examination to certify a candidate as eligible: 

• Who is found lacking in any of the established preliminary requirements for the service for which he or she applies.
• Who is physically unable to perform the duties of the position to which he or she seeks appointment.
• Who is addicted to the use of drugs or intoxicating beverages or is found to have taken or used drugs and/or narcotics illegally.
• Who has been convicted of a felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, as specified in of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Act.
• Who has been dismissed from any public service for just cause.
• Who has attempted to practice any deception or fraud in his or her application. A false statement knowingly made by a person in an application for examination, connivance in any false statement made in any certificate which may accompany such application or complicity in any fraud touching the same, including the interview.
• Who may be found disqualified in personal qualifications or health.
• Whose character and employment references are unsatisfactory.
• Who, if applying for a position as a police officer, does not possess a current and valid Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) test certification card at a time to be determined by the Board of Fire and Police Commission.
• Who has applied for a position as a police officer and is or has been classified by his or her Local Selective Service Draft Board as a conscientious objector.
• Who, if applying for a position as a police officer, does not hold an Associate's Degree from an accredited College or University or have 60 Hours of College Credit
• Who in the judgment of the commission has not successfully completed the examinations described in Chapter III of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Rules and Regulations.
• Any applicant deemed disqualified hereunder, shall be notified by the Board.

I was a few minutes late to the orientation, why can't I participate?

If you are late for any part of the testing process you are disqualified from further testing. In this profession like any other, it is imperative that you are on time. Your fellow officers need to be relieved from their shift on time, and we expect that of all our employees.  

When is the testing process again?

The Rolling Meadows Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will hold a testing process for the position of entry level police officer every two years or if the current list is exhausted prior to the two year expiration.      

Why can't I apply as a lateral entry police officer?

The difference between the lateral entry and entry level police officer candidate is certification. The lateral entry police candidate has already attained his/her certification through a police academy and is already trained. The entry level candidate will need to enter a police academy and successfully complete the 14 week process before being certified.

What if a candidate’s application is deemed defective?

At the discretion of the Board, defective applications can be returned for correction, or the applicant can be disqualified.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Rolling Meadows is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Rolling Meadows in no case will discriminate against any individual or group for reasons of race, ancestry, citizenship, unfavorable discharge from the military (except dishonorable), creed, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, or political affiliation. It also complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Age discrimination in Employment Act.