Accelerated Entry Program 2022

Beginning in February 2022, the Collinsville Police Department will be initiating an Accelerated Entry hiring process. We are looking for experienced, certified police officers in the State of Illinois or another state that have a proactive policing mindset with a strong work ethic, who also understands how to engage the community we serve. If this describes you, and you are looking for better opportunities for career development and advancement, along with great compensation and fringe benefits, then we may have a place for you on our team. 

Start your application here.

About the Department

The Collinsville Police Department subscribes to a philosophy of “proactive policing”.  This philosophy of policing encourages and supports officer’s efforts to proactively find solutions to issues or problems facing our community through community engagement and outreach programs.  The philosophy also supports officers to actively seek out and arrest criminal offenders who prey on the community before they have an opportunity to commit their crimes.  This is accomplished through high visibility tactics and self-initiated field activity.

Proactive Policing

The 43 sworn officers and 30 civilian employees of the Collinsville Police Department are fully supported by the City Council and the community they serve.  This support has allowed us to provide continuous training and state of the art equipment to our officers and civilian staff.  Additionally, Collinsville Police Officers enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package.  As of 2022, officers are paid a probationary salary of $72,281.12 annually, which increases to $83,771.52 after the 18 month probation period.  

The benefits package is highlighted by up to 5 weeks of vacation, free employee health insurance (available to dependents at minimal cost), pension benefits, and optional participation in a 457 plan. The Collinsville Police Department also provides reimbursement for tuition and books for those officers seeking college degrees in approved disciplines.  This tuition reimbursement is provided up to a Master’s degree level.

Upon their hire, a Collinsville Police Officer with no prior police experience will attend a 14 week police academy and upon successful completion, enter a 14 week field training program under the direction of a Field Training Officer(s).  Those officers hired with prior law enforcement experience who have successfully completed an approved police academy will directly enter the field training program.  Collinsville Police Officers are represented by Lodge #103 of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Training

Quality training is the backbone to any law enforcement organization and the Collinsville Police Department takes great pride ensuring that our officers are prepared for any situation that should arise. Historically, the Collinsville Police Department is always in the top 5 agencies in total training hours received by the SILEC Mobile Training Unit and we continue to cultivate our own cadre of in-house trainers that teach on a regional level.

Career Opportunities 

In addition to the patrol division, the Collinsville Police Department provides a variety of other career opportunities and pathways, all of which are earned and selected based upon performance within the patrol division.

• Criminal Investigation Division – Plain clothes officers assigned to general criminal investigations.  All members of this division are members of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis and Metro-East Child Death Task Force.
• Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois – Officers assigned to MEGSI will be given the title of Special Agent, working undercover narcotics focusing on street-level narcotics dealers.
• Drug Enforcement Administration – Officers assigned to the DEA Task Force will be given the title of Task Force Officer, working undercover with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, focusing on mid-upper level narcotics dealers.
• School Resource Officer – Officers filling these roles will be either assigned to Collinsville High School or Collinsville Middle School.
• K-9 – The Collinsville Police Department currently has two police K-9 teams.
• ILEAS Special Response Team/Mobile Field Force – Officers assigned to these two teams specialize in SWAT tactics or crowd control techniques.

The Community

The City of Collinsville has been incorporated since 1872 and was first settled as a mining community.  The current population is just over 25,000 residents.  The City is located 9 miles from St. Louis, Missouri and covers an area of approximately 17 square miles.  The City is located primarily in Madison County, Illinois, with portions of the City situated in St. Clair County.

The City of Collinsville boasts a large hospitality district with over 1,300 hotel/motel rooms and an ever-increasing retail and industrial district.  While still considered a St. Louis bedroom community, the City has taken a progressive approach when it comes to new business recruitment and retention.  The City of Collinsville strives to be the safest city in the St. Louis region.

What Makes us Unique

Both the City of Collinsville and the Collinsville Police Department have a rich, deep-rooted history that extends for generations. At the Collinsville Police Department, we take pride in honoring the past, while continuing to progressively look toward the future. While Collinsville is considered a “Bedroom Community” to St. Louis, MO and our department is small, we can face our share of big city challenges from time-to-time.

The Requirements

To participate in the Entry-Level Selection Process for the position of police officer, a candidate must possess or adhere to the following requirement(s):

• Between the ages of 21-35.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 years served in active military duty, up to 10 years
• An Associate’s Degree in law enforcement or criminal justice from an accredited College-OR- 64 credit hours toward a Bachelor’s Degree in any field from an accredited College or University.The education requirement may be waived if the applicant 1) has served 24 months of honorable active duty in the United States Armed Forces and has not been discharged dishonorable, or 2) has served 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
• No felony convictions
• Must pass in-depth background investigation
• Must pass all examinations and requirements as required by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners with the City of Collinsville
• Establish residency anywhere within Madison or St. Clair County within 12 month after the completion of probationary period 

Lateral Entry

The requirements to participate in the Accelerated Entry Process, a candidate must possess or adhere to the following requirement(s):

• 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 Commissioners Act) and;
• 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 the announcement of a testing date and be able to provide proof thereof;
• While the education requirements listed in the Entry-Level Selection Process are preferred, a minimum of a high school diploma is required.
• No felony convictions
• Must pass in-depth background investigation
• Must pass all examinations and requirements as required by the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners with the City of Collinsville
• Establish residency anywhere within Madison or St. Clair County within 12 months after the completion of probationary period

Start your application here.

The City of Collinsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer