Waukegan Police Department - Police Officer
Last updated on August 28, 2026
PST Partner Agency since August 06, 2026
Vacancies: 7
Testing Deadline: September 06, 2026.
Important Information
The Waukegan Police Department (WPD) continuously accepts Public Safety Testing (PST) test scores for the position of Entry Level Police Officers. The Waukegan Police Department typically hires between 5-15 officers each year, however, these numbers fluctuate regularly based on the personnel needs of the department. To apply to be a Waukegan Police Officer please follow these important steps:
- Step 1: Apply through the Public Safety Testing website. Select City of Waukegan and pass both the PST Written Exam with a grade of 70% or higher and the Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) Physical Ability Test. Then submit a complete and up to date Personal History Statement (PHS). Both tests must be passed and your scores released to the CIty of Waukegan in order for us to receive them. Be sure to completely review all position documents required, up to and including preference points and their supporting documents.
- Step 2: Pass an extensive background check, a medical examination and a psychological evaluation.
- Step 3: Interview with the Waukegan Civil Service Commission
- Step 4: Attendance and successful completion of 640 hours (16 weeks) of state instruction at an accredited State of Illinois Law Enforcement Police Academy.
- Step 5: Academy graduates enter the Field Training Program, partnering with an experienced Field Training Officer for between 4 - 6 months.
Community Information
Department Information
Commonly Asked Questions
Job Description
Area Information
Hiring Status
Salary Information
Benefit Information
Required Documents
| Document | Description | Example Files | Required | Preference Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High School Diploma | Read Description | None | ||
| College Transcripts/Diploma | Read Description | None | ||
| Drivers License | Read Description | None | ||
| Proof of Citizenship or legal eligibility to work in the US | Read Description | None | ||
| Illinois POWER card | Read Description | None | ||
| DD214 | Read Description | None | ||
| Law Enforcement and/or Corrections Certifications/licenses | Read Description | None | ||
| Application with Required Documents | Complete, save and upload attached Application with supporting documents. All fields are PDF fillable fields. Furthermore, the Affidavit of Applicant must be signed and Notarized by a valid Notary Public. Please review each document, complete, date and sign as required. | View File | ||
| Preference Points | If you are eligible for preference points, you must claim them by completing the form attached and providing the supporting proof as requested on the claim form. You will not be awarded preference points unless you submit the formal claim form along with the supporting documentation | View File |
Waukegan Police Department - Police Officer Requirements
| Category | Requirement | Required at time of... | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Hire | ||
| Written Examination |
Yes, required |
||
| LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT) |
Yes, required as described below POWER test required by time of hire. |
||
| PST Personal History Statement | Yes, required within 7 days of passing required exam(s) | ||
| Minimum Age | Must be at least 20 years old and less than 35 years of age at the time of the written examination. Exemptions to the age limit are only offered for full-time law enforcement experience. Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire | ||
| Maximum Age | 34 | ||
| Citizenship | US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident | ||
| High School Grad/ GED | Yes | ||
| Driver's License Required | Yes | ||
| Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult | No adult felony convictions at any time. | ||
| Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile | None. | ||
| Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language | Yes | ||
| Vision Requirements | Correctable to 20/20 | ||
| College Requirement | No | ||
| Prior Experience Requirement | No | ||
| Veterans Preference Points | Yes | ||
| Other Preference Points | Yes, preference points will be awarded to those who qualify related to Language Proficiency (other than English), Volunteer or Professional Experience, and/or Education Qualifications (AA degree or higher) | ||
| Multiple Scores from Same Applicant | We consider the highest score received within the past one year | ||
Waukegan Police Department - Police Officer Disqualifiers
The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.
| Category | Disqualifier | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driving |
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| Criminal Activity |
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| Employment |
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Contact Information
Waukegan Police Department - Police Officer
Contact a RecruiterAgency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
PAT: Yes, required as described below
PST Personal History Statement: Yes, required within 7 days of passing required exam(s)
COVID-19 UPDATES
5/6/2020 Update:
TESTING IN WASHINGTON STATE CANCELED THROUGH MAY 31, 2020
All pre-employment tests in Washington State have been canceled until May 31, 2020 unless government restrictions are eased. With recent updates, facility closures, and government guidelines, this step is necessary and could be modified at any time. The health and safety of our customers, our staff, and their families is of the highest priority.
We will continue to evaluate developments and make changes to this policy as necessary. When we do resume testing, there will be plenty of events for everyone to test. We are in regular communication with our public safety agency partners, assessing alternatives to the traditional testing model and our testing policies. Any future updates will be posted on the PST website and our Facebook page.
4/1/2020 Update:
If you have tested with PST in the past 12 months, there may be additional positions you are now eligible to add. Several departments have temporarily changed their testing policies due to the suspension in testing that COVID-19 has caused. Please login to your PST account and navigate to the ‘New Positions’ page to see what departments you can add! We will regularly update that page in your account as departments send updates.
FUTURE TEST REGISTRATION
We know that there will be testing in the future - we just don’t know when! We want you to be prepared for when testing begins again so we have created test events on our calendar that you can register for that will place you in a queue to be first notified. These tests are not “real” test events, they are essentially a holding area. You will be able to “reschedule” out of that event to any other event date/location at no cost. Registering now will also give you time to work on your Personal History Statement (PHS) so that your data will be ready and up-to-date to send to your departments once testing resumes.
To sign up for this placeholder event, select the June 15, 2020 test date in your category (police, fire, 911 dispatch, corrections, etc.).
You may also click on the test event of interest below to sign up:
Law Enforcement & Corrections Written and Physical Ability Test
Please check back here frequently and ‘Like’ our Facebook page to stay updated.
PST staff are working remotely and are available by email at contact@publicsafetytesting.com. We anticipate a high email volume and will respond as quickly as possible.
