COMMUNITY
INNOVATION OPPORTUNITYTRAINING
The Oswego Police Department is recruiting diverse candidates to strengthen our community.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
FOR LATERAL POLICE OFFICER TESTING
Join the Oswego Police Department
The Oswego Police Department is seeking experienced police officers to join our team through a Lateral Transfer Police Officer Eligibility List. Applicants must already be Certified as Law Enforcement Officers.
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The Village of Oswego is one of the fastest-growing communities in Illinois. For our officers, that means opportunities for advancement throughout the course of their careers. But more than that, it means the opportunity to innovate. The men and women of the Oswego Police Department are extremely proud to be nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, reflecting the commitment of the Department and our officers to constantly improve the quality of service we provide to our residents.
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We're looking for officers interested in growing with our community, candidates who come from diverse backgrounds of all kinds to strengthen our community-oriented approach to policing, and people who are up to the challenge of approaching each day as an opportunity to do things better.
Download the position advertisement, with a full list of qualifications and application instructions here.
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Ready to apply? Complete the online application.
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The 2025 regular police officer testing is complete. Information can be found under the Police Commission.
If you are on one of the Oswego Police Department's current lists and have a follow-up question, please contact Executive Assistant Denise Lawrence at 630-551-7326 or use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
BENEFITS
SALARY
Starting Salary Range (depending on years of service) as of January 1, 2026, for Steps 2 through Step 8, is $93,075.06 to $124,237.73
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BENEFITS
Excellent medical (BCBS PPO or HMO), free dental, vision, 115 Trust, and life insurance benefits. Optional benefits are available, including 457(b) plans, Aflac, and more.
PAID TIME-OFF
The benefits package includes 13 paid holidays annually (104 hours), plus paid vacation and sick/personal time that starts accruing immediately. Officers work 12-hour shifts with alternating weekends off.
PENSION
Sworn personnel are enrolled in a police pension for retirement.
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RECOGNITION
Officers are awarded for both going above and beyond in the field and for innovating in the organization.
WELLNESS
Officers may work out on duty. Private “wellness and education” appointments provided annually.
POLICE GEAR
Uniforms, ballistic vests, boots, duty weapons and equipment are provided by the department.
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY
Completed in 2018, the Oswego Police Headquarters includes a complete training wing with an on-site indoor range, fitness center, mat room and other amenities.
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EXTRAS
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Police officers have opportunities for additional training, specialized assignments, and overtime or compensatory time which is assigned through a fair and equitable manner.
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OPD employees attend more than 8,000 hours of training annually.
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Secondary employment allowed during probationary period, which is only twelve-months.​
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No residency requirement.
MEET OUR OFFICERS
“Crime scene work has always been fascinating to me. I love that we have opportunities to grow as officers, to develop skills and get training that helps the community. If you’re willing to train and put in the work, you can do this job.”​
— Cherese Spears, Detective
Join the Oswego Police Department
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
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State of Illinois Law Enforcement Certification from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) as a law enforcement officer in good standing. (Part-time certification as a law enforcement officer does not meet this requirement.)
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Candidates must hold an equivalent certification from another state (completed basic police training program/academy) which can be transferred and accepted by the ILETSB. For a conditional waiver of Illinois basic law enforcement training and reciprocity with ILETSB, you must pass all requirements, including but not limited to mandatory firearms training, Illinois Law for Police course, and equivalency exam within six months of hire.
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Applicants shall be employed for a minimum of two consecutive years with their CURRENT agency as a full-time Sworn Municipal Officer, State Trooper, or County Sheriff's Deputy and must have completed their probationary period as of September 26, 2025, and
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Currently in good standing with the police department in which the person serves or is laid off due to budgetary constraints with that agency, and
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Possess the knowledge, skills, abilities, and level of experience required pursuant to the call for qualified lateral transfer applicants, and
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Valid driver's license, Illinois FOID card, and Social Security number at the time of hire, and
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U.S. Citizen, or will possess U.S. Citizenship by September 26, 2025, and
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Possess a High School Diploma or GED equivalent by September 26, 2025, and
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Pass written exam, oral interview, and in-depth background investigation, including a polygraph, and
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Pass medical (including drug screen, hearing, and eye exam) and psychological exams after conditional offer of employment.
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Note: Previous disqualifications do not preclude you from reapplying.
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Link to Tattoo Policy
CONTACT
Contact Executive Assistant Denise Lawrence by email with questions.
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Please note: Applications and payments are only accepted online. Follow the instructions above to apply.
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The Oswego Police Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN WE ARE HAVING OUR NEXT POLICE OFFICER TESTING, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for our Lateral Police Officer Program/Testing, please click to fill out the online application.
A non-refundable $25 fee is required at the time of submittal. Complete the application and submit payment online by Noon (12:00 p.m.) CST Tuesday, September 3, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
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The full advertisement, with a list of qualifications/requirements and application instructions, is available here.
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Do not submit anything other than the application and fee. A resume, certificates, transcripts, etc. are NOT needed at this time, but should be immediately available at the request of a background.
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ORIENTATION / TAKE THE EXAM
A mandatory orientation and written examination will be held at the Oswego Police Department at 8 a.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025. Any information or additional instructions will be emailed in advance. Applicants must bring a photo ID. The photo ID may be a state ID, driver's license, or passport. At the time of the orientation, no other items, such as a resume, certificates, or transcripts, will be accepted. Those items will be submitted later in the process.
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Dress comfortably for the orientation and written examination.
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The Oswego Police Commission is the authority responsible for hiring new police officers, guided by the appropriate State and local statutes. For more information, visit the Police Commission's website.