Job Description

Entry-Level Police Officer

The City of Champaign is now accepting applications for the position of Entry-Level Police Officer. To be considered for the position, please apply directly with the National Testing Network. Application and transfer fees are waived for first-time applicants upon registering through NTN. The Champaign Police Department works to be an honest, transparent, and inclusive organization. Our goal is to provide professional and reliable services that help keep residents and visitors safe. We are committed to building strong partnerships with the community to support safety education, reduce crime, and improve the overall quality of life. Joining the Champaign Police Department means becoming part of a team that values integrity, accountability, and public service. If you are ready to serve the community with professionalism, dedication, and pride, we encourage you to apply.

Job Responsibilities

Accomplishes departmental law enforcement, order maintenance, criminal investigation, and criminal intelligence objectives through effective accomplishment of assigned duties. Investigates and reports factual information regarding all incidents of crime personally discovered or reported by a citizen. Intervenes in interpersonal crisis, conflict, and domestic violence situations to protect life, property, and personal rights. Initiates investigations into all suspicious or hazardous circumstances observed while patrolling assigned area.

Required Qualifications

U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States (must meet I-9 requirements). Valid Driver's License. High School Diploma or equivalent. Applicant must be 21 years of age by the date of hire. Some convictions, misdemeanors, or serious traffic offenses may disqualify applicants from further consideration, if the criminal conviction history has a substantial relationship to the position applied for. Medical, physical, and psychological examinations and a criminal background check will be required. The starting annual salary is $80,925 plus an excellent fringe benefits package.

Benefits

This position is covered under the City of Champaign Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Bargaining Unit labor agreement. This information is current as of February 12, 2026.

Health Insurance: The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois with a $500 individual and $1,000 family deductible. The plan covers nearly 98% of providers and facilities across the State of Illinois and grants access to providers nationwide through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Regular full-time Fraternal Order of Police employees pay $35 of the employee health insurance premium per month and 50 percent of the premium for dependent(s) for the 2026/2027 plan year. Premiums for employee only and dependent coverage may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee's last day of work at the City.

Dental and Vision Insurance: Employees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st).

Life Insurance: The City provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.

Sick Leave: Employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month) subject to labor contract provisions.

Vacation: Vacation accrual rates are based on years of service. Employees are eligible to take vacation after six months of employment. Vacation accrual rates and maximum accumulations are:

Years of Service - Biweekly Accrual/Year - Max Accumulation

Through the 4th year - 3.69 hours/12 days - 96 hours/12 days

Beginning 5th year - 4.31 hours/14 days - 112 hours/14 days

Beginning 6th year - 4.62 hours/15 days - 120 hours/15 days

Beginning 7th year - 4.92 hours/16 days - 128 hours/16 days

Beginning 8th year - 5.23 hours/17 days - 136 hours/17 days

Beginning 9th year - 5.54 hours/18 days - 144 hours/18 days

Beginning 10th year - 6.15 hours/20 days - 160 hours/20 days

Beginning 15th year - 7.69 hours/25 days - 200 hours/25 days

Beginning 20th year - 9.23 hours/30 days - 240 hours/30 days

Beginning 25th year - 10.76 hours/35 days - 280 hours/35 days

Personal Leave: At the beginning of each fiscal year (July 1), employees are credited with 30 hours of Personal Leave. Personal Leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year.

Pension: Police Officers are covered by the Police Pension Fund. Employee contributions to the Pension Fund are 9.91 percent of salary; employee contributions are tax deferred. Additional contributions are paid by the City.

Holidays: The City offers eleven paid holidays, subject to labor contract provisions: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day.

Retirement Health Savings (RHS): A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for FOP employees. FOP employees participate in a mandatory contribution of $100.00 pre-tax, per month into an RHS investment account and at separation contributing a portion of their sick leave balance. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents.

Deferred Compensation Plan: The City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan and/or Roth plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400).

Residency Incentive Reimbursement: The City offers a one-time Residency Incentive Reimbursement of $10,000 to FOP employees who establish residency or relocate within the City of Champaign. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Department. NOTE: not all Champaign addresses are within the municipal limits of the City of Champaign. Applicants for the Residency Incentive may check whether an address is within the city limits using the Maps function on the City of Champaign's website under the IT Department or by contacting HR.

Residency Stipend: Officers whose primary, full-time residence is located within the City of Champaign shall receive a residency stipend in the amount of $7,000 annually, to be paid on the first payroll in May each year to cover the previous 12 months (May through April). The allowance will be prorated for any officer who moves into or out of the CITY or who leaves the CITY's employment for any reason during the year, such that the payment due to the officer shall be reduced. NOTE: not all Champaign addresses are within the municipal limits of the City of Champaign. Applicants for the Residency Stipend may check whether an address is within the city limits using the Maps function on the City of Champaign's website under the IT Department or by contacting HR.

Union Dues: The FOP union establishes regularly monthly dues which are collected by the City through payroll deduction on behalf of the union. Dues are currently $54.00. The City will also collect the Police Benevolent and Protective Association $25.00 monthly dues through payroll deduction if elected by the employee.

Contract: View the current City of Champaign Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Bargaining

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