Join the Blue

Under the Dome

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Whether you’re looking for a career after military service, seeking career advancement, or just want to serve your community, The Fairview Heights Police Department offers the adventure of a lifetime. We believe that there is a place for you on our team and in our community.

The Fairview Heights Police Department is one of the few departments in the area that provides direct testing and hiring. You don’t have to go through an organization to be part of our department. We understand testing can be intimidating, which is why we now do our own individualized testing and hiring.

Choose Blue

New Candidates

Recent College Graduates

Lateral Hires

Experienced Police Officers

Military

Former Members of our Armed Forces

We offer highly competitive salaries for all levels. Contact us today to learn more.

Salary with a Bachelor's Degree after Probationary Period

Fairview Heights Police Department also accepts those with Associate’s Degrees and can provide financial assistance for your Bachelor’s Degree

TRADITIONAL TESTING REQUIREMENTS

In order to be considered for employment with the Fairview Heights Police Department, candidates must possess and adhere to the following requirements:

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Age Requirements

Must be between the ages of 21 and 35.

Exceptions

  1. Candidates who are over 35 years of age, and have any amount of full time law enforcement experience with a municipality in any state, are eligible,
  2. Candidates who have Illinois Sheriff Deputy and/or Illinois State Police patrol experience are eligible up to the age of 40, and
  3. Candidates who are 20 years of age and have successfully completed 2 years of law enforcement studies at an accredited college or university, are eligible;
  4. A military veteran shall be allowed to exceed age 35 by the number of service years in active military duty, up to 10 years.
Education

Must possess an Associate’s Degree or above in law enforcement or a related field, -OR- the Board may consider an applicant who (1) has successfully received credit for a minimum of sixty-four (64) semester hours towards a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; (2) has served for 24 months of honorable active duty in the United States Armed Forces and has not been discharged dishonorably; (3) has served for 180 days of active duty in the United States Armed Forces in combat duty recognized by the Department of Defense and has not been discharged dishonorably; Be a U.S. citizen or an alien admitted for permanent residency or authorized to work in the U.S.

Drivers License

Must possess a valid driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one at the time of the appointment.

Required Testing

Must pass written examinations, agility tests, oral interviews, background investigation(s), physical examination, vision test, polygraph test, and an extensive psychological examination.  All of the medical examinations will be conducted by department physicians.

Training

Must possess the ability of being accepted into and successfully completing a state mandated police basic training academy.

Residency

Must live within a 45 mile radius of the Fairview Heights Police Department within one year of employment (Including Missouri).

Tattoos

Must have no visible tattoos on their neck, face (Except for permanent makeup), head, or below the wrist.

Lateral Entry Requirements

Applicants must meet the following qualifications at the time of application:

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Application

A completed application must be submitted to the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

IL Police Training Act

Police Officer applicants must provide documentation that they have fulfilled the requirements of the Illinois Police Training Act. State Troopers, Deputy Sheriffs and Out-of-State Applicants must provide documentation that they have fulfilled the requirements of their training boards and be certified as a full-time law enforcement officer and be eligible to be certified in the State of Illinois.

Age Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment (maximum age is determined in compliance with current Illinois State Statutes, Section 5/10-2.1-6 of the Fire and Police Commissioner’s Act).

Work History

Must be currently employed as a full-time (non-probationary may be waived by the Board) certified law enforcement officer -OR- a certified officer who has been laid off for financial or budgetary reasons from an agency within the past 12 months preceding an announcement of a testing date.

Education

Must possess a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement or a related filed (the Board may consider an applicant who has a minimum of sixty-four (64) semester hours or its equivalent in undergraduate college work towards the attainment of any bachelor’s degree)

Military service may be considered in lieu of educational requirements. In lieu of an associates/bachelor’s degree (1) the candidate must have served for 24/36 months of honorable active duty in the United States Armed Forces OR (2) has served for 180 days of active duty in the United States Armed Forces in combat duty as recognized by the Department of Defense (must not have been discharged dishonorably or under circumstances other than honorable).

Probationary Period

The probationary period for lateral entry has been shortened to 12 months.

Wear our Badge

  • All uniforms & equipment provided
  • Residency is 45 miles from our PD, to include Missouri
  • Abundant special assignments available
  • Competitive and generous sick leave, vacation, & healthcare
  • Employee only healthcare premiums paid 100%
  • State of the art equipment & squad cars
  • Abundance of overtime opportunities
  • Support of the community & elected officials

*with Bachelor’s Degree and After Probationary Period

Apply Now

WHO WE ARE

“We will lead you, train you, and empower you to be the best!”

Chief Steven Johnson

The City of Fairview Heights

We are a unique community with a residential population of approximately 17,000. Residents have the opportunity to choose from a wide array of housing options ranging from stylish rental apartments to luxurious executive-style single family homes. Living in Fairview Heights is considered to be a genuine pleasure. In addition to having a wonderful selection of housing options, the City also has excellent school systems and offers several well-equipped parks for recreation.

Fairview Heights attracts visitors and shoppers from throughout Southern Illinois and the entire St. Louis region with our substantial number of restaurants and hundreds of retail stores, including our huge, one million square foot regional indoor shopping mall.

The Department

We employ forty-six (46) sworn officers and sixteen (16) civilian employees.  The Fairview Heights Police Department offers qualified candidates the opportunity to join a proactive and professional police department with several career enhancing opportunities, including criminal investigations, juvenile investigations, undercover drug operations, school resource officer, D.A.R.E. officer, crisis intervention teams, Auto Theft Task Force, regional SWAT and Mobile Field Force teams.

Police officers in Fairview Heights have always enjoyed the support of the citizens of the community, due in large part to the officers’ dedication to the philosophy of community oriented policing and the officers’ devotion to the tenets of professional and ethical policing.  The department is focused on preventing crime and increasing the quality of life for everyone who lives in or visits the community.

Patrol officers are represented by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 217. The collective bargaining agreement offers a very competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package, which is above and beyond other area departments.

FAQs

Departments

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Collinsville PD
  • Collinsville PD requires officers live in St. Clair or Madison Co.
  • Starting salary up to $72,281, and $83,771 after probation

more information

Fairview Heights PD
  • Fairview Heights PD requires officers to live within 45 miles of the police department, to include Missouri

  • Starting salary up to $77,779 and $83,045 after probation

Testing

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What is the Fitness Test?

The POWER fitness test consists of sit and reach, 1 minute of sit-ups, 1 rep max bench press, 1.5 mile timed run.

specific requirements

What if I have previously taken the fitness test?

Valid state issued POWER tests cards, dated less than 6 months from the test date will be accepted to waive fitness testing

What happens after the fitness test?

Those who pass fitness testing will move on to the written examination

When is the next testing date?

Testing will be held on December 2, 2023.

Contact Amber Hopkins at hopkins@fairviewpd.org with any questions.

What is the application process?

1.

Applicants must complete the necessary application. The application can be delivered to: Fairview Heights Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, ATTN: Amber Hopkins, 10027 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights, IL, 62208, or completed online.

Applications are also available in the police department lobby.

2.

All qualifying applicants will then take a physical agility test. Applicants who pass the physical agility test will then take a written examination immediately following. The Fairview Heights Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will notify all candidates of the written examination results and ranking if placed on the eligibility register.  Successful candidates placed on the eligibility register who are eligible for veteran, educational, or law enforcement certification preference points will have an opportunity to claim them. Lateral hires are not required to take the physical agility test or written examination.

3.

A final eligibility register will then be established in numeric order based on written examination scores and claimed preference points.  Candidates listed on the final eligibility register may be invited to continue in the Board’s pass/fail process that will consist of the following:

  • Extensive background investigation
  • Polygraph examination
  • Oral interview

Candidate ranking on the Final Eligibility Register is valid for a period of two years from the date that the commission adopts it.

4.

Probationary Period: Following appointment, a new police officer is required to satisfy the following requirements:

  • Successfully complete a state mandated recruit academy.
  • Become certified by the Illinois State Training Board.
  • Successfully complete the department’s field training program.

Successfully complete an eighteen (18) month probationary period, ((12) month for lateral hires.

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10027 Bunkum Rd.
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
618.489.2158
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