City of Ottawa
301 W. Madison Street
Ottawa, IL 61350
Website: www.cityofottawa.org
Phone: 815-433-0161 ext. 116 or 110
Email: ottawaapplications@cityofottawa.org

Sworn: 39
Population: 18,900
Application Deadline: 1/7/25 @ 11:59 PM
Starting Salary: $75,190.00

Benefits:

Medical insurance, life insurance, vision plan, and dental plan
12 Hour Shifts
Patrol Officers are only scheduled to work half of the year and are scheduled off every other weekend
Ballistic Vest and Firearm provided by the department
$1,500 initial uniform allowance plus an annual uniform allowance
Monthly paid firearms training
Career Advancement Opportunities Including:
- K-9 Handler
- Detective
- School Resource Officer
- Firearms Instructor
- Taser Instructor
- Field Training Officer
- And many more
All overtime is double time and there are 12 holidays paid at double time
Vacation starting at 10 days per year
Pension
Continued health coverage for retired officers

How to Apply:

Visit www.cityofottawa.org to complete the online application
Applications must be completed by January 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM

Questions:

Call:

815-433-0161 ext. 116 or 110

OR

Email:

ottawaapplications@cityofottawa.org

Police Officer Minimum Requirements:

High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
United States citizen
Valid driver's license
Must be 21 years of age or any person who is 20 years of age and who has successfully completed 2 years of law enforcement studies at an accredited college or university and must not have reached your 35th birthday as of January 7, 2025
Must be in excellent physical health and be of good moral character
Candidates must have a valid POWER card issued by Joliet Junior College (JJC) at time of employment offer
- Candidates must contact JJC at 815-280-2674 to schedule the POWER test or go to www.jjc.edu/powertesting. The cost of testing is at candidate's expense.
After being appointed, and within 15 months, residency must be maintained within forty (40) miles of the Ottawa, Illinois corporate limits
Twelve weeks away from home while attending Basic Law Enforcement Training (required to graduate and receive certificate from State of Illinois)

ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

Copy of your birth certificate.
Copy of your military service discharge (if applicable).
Copy of high school diploma from an accredited institution or GED certificate. The Board reserves the right to determine the sufficiency of the high school diploma or its equivalent.
Power card issued by Joliet Junior College. If you have an active card at time of application.
The signed and dated waivers and release forms.

TESTING AND HIRING PROCEDURE:

Candidates must complete an online remote written exam, which requires internet access and a computer. The written exam cannot be completed on mobile devices or tablets.
The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners will email the candidate the website for the exam and include a username and password to log into the website. The candidate will have from January 13, 2025 - January 15, 2025, to complete the exam.
Candidates that achieve a score of 70% or greater on the written exam will be scheduled for an oral interview on January 20, 2025 and January 29, 2025.
Prospective employment is subject to satisfactorily passing an in-depth criminal background investigation, psychological examination, and a thorough medical examination, which will include a test to screen for the use of drugs and/or narcotics.