Job Description

Title: Police Sergeant
Division Name: Student Affairs
Department: University Police Department

Job Summary

Police Sergeants are responsible for POI, POIIs & TC assigned to their shift. Police Sergeants must have a working knowledge of the disciplinary process, general overall operational priorities of the department and university and basic skills and understanding of supervisory duties. They must be able to carry out the departmental mission and ensure that the Department & University policies and procedures are followed and enforced when necessary. Police Sergeants must be able to monitor and be responsible for the actions of all subordinates while many times conducting police activities of their own.

Additional Information

Police Sergeants must be able to work unsupervised most of the time and have self-motivation and initiative to meet the needs of the Department and the University as a whole.

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

Per Collective Bargaining Agreement

https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/managers/labor-relations/union/

Required Qualifications

1. Associate degree (or 60 semester hours of credit) granted by an accredited institution of higher education, preferably in police science, law enforcement, or other police or law curriculum.
2. Two (2) years (24 months) of full-time experience as a police officer with a federal, state, county, college or university, municipal, or public institutional police organization having a recognized merit system.
3. High school graduation or equivalent.
4. Possession of a valid driver's license.
5. No record of conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.
6. Eligibility for bonding.
7. Successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Officer's Training course as prescribed by the Illinois Law Enforcement Officer's Training and Standards Board and be certified by the Board as a police officer. At least 26 years of age at time of promotion.
8. Must be at least 21 years of age upon employment

Preferred Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree granted by an accredited college/university, preferably in administration of justice, police science, law enforcement, or other police or law curriculum.
2. Five (5) years of experience as a police officer, including at least one year of supervisory experience in a federal, state, county, college or university, municipal, recognized merit system.
3. Ability to be a self-starter who is innovative and progressive.
4. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
5. Ability to operate high tech equipment, maintain and train others in its proper and safe operation, includes computers, in car video systems, 911 equipment, radio equipment etc.
6. Ability to lead, supervise and evaluate subordinate personnel.
7. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
9. Good Character.
10. Ability to develop and maintain working knowledge of Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois Vehicle Code, local ordinances(where applicable), University rules and regulations, and civil law related to the police mission.
11. Ability to develop and maintain working knowledge of University community geography.
12. Ability to develop and maintain working knowledge of University Police Department directives.
13. Ability to develop and maintain a working knowledge of modern principles, practices, and procedures accepted within the police profession.
14. Ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions.
15. Ability to verbally communicate effectively during normal conditions and stressful and emergency circumstances (interpersonal communications and human relations skills are critical to this position.
16. Ability to operate a vehicle in a safe manner during normal conditions and stressful and emergency circumstances.
17. Ability to develop and maintain skill in the use of firearms and other defensive tactics.
18. Ability to enforce laws, ordinances (where applicable), rules and regulations with tact, impartially, and firmness.
19. Ability to mentally and physically react effectively, quickly, calmly, and rationally during time of conflict and emergencies.
20. Ability to gather information and prepare complete, concise and accurate reports.

Work Hours

TBD

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Ability to walk/stand during patrolling duty
2. Ability to wear utility belt weighing up to 15 pounds as part of official uniform
3. Ability to lift, carry, and push/pull up to maximum physical ability during emergency situations
4. Ability to bend, crouch, kneel and reach overhead
5. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing
6. Essential and other important duties require maintaining physical condition necessary for moderate and heavy lifting; bending stooping, kneeling, crawling, jumping, and climbing; the use of fingers, both hands and both arms; the use of both legs; may be required to take offensive and/or defensive action during physical confrontations;
7. Ability to discharge a firearm.
8. Ability to run, walk, stand or sit for prolonged periods of time.
9. Ability to operate motorized equipment and/or assigned vehicles
10. Adequate speech, hearing and eyesight required;
11. Required to have visual acuity and ability to distinguish color.

Proposed Starting Date

2026

Optional Applicant Documents

Certificate from PTI showing successful completion - See Special Instructions to Applicants section for additional options
Transcripts - See Special Instructions to Applicant section for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Other documentation such as College transcripts (may be unofficial), or Certificate from PTI showing successful completion may be uploaded under Optional Documents or sent to Human Resources, Campus Box 1300 Normal, IL 61790-1300.

In order to be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation, such as a DD-214, may be faxed, mailed, or delivered to Human Resources prior to the examination or provided at the time of testing in order to receive the maximum eligible points:

Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Breanna Crippen
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

External applicants: A final candidate must complete a post-offer pre-employment physical exam and psych evaluation. Employment is contingent on the successful result of physical and psych evaluation.

A Civil Service examination will be required. You will be notified by e-mail if you meet the qualifications for the examination. Please closely monitor your email for correspondence regarding your application status.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

This position is represented by the Policeman's Benevolent Labor Committee.

Contact Information for Applicants

Breanna Crippen
Human Resources
309-438-8315
bcplese@ilstu.edu 

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.