(Entry Level) Police Officer - 2026 Eligibility List

The City of Aurora, Illinois is accepting applications for (Entry Level) Police Officer to establish a Civil Service eligibility list with the Aurora Police Department.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 20 years of age and under 35 years of age at the time of the written exam but must be at least 21 years of age and under 36 years of age at time of appointment, pursuant to the Illinois Municipal Code as amended (65 ILCS 5/10-1-1 et seq.).
• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must possess a valid Class "D" Illinois driver's license or a valid out-of-state driver's license of similar classification.
• Must have achieved a high school diploma with a grade point average of 2.0 out of 4.0, or a G.E.D. with a minimum composite score of no less than 401 points, or at least sixteen (16) hours of college credit with a grade point average of 2.0 out of 4.0.
• Must possess a valid Police Officer Physical Ability Test certification/POWER card. Certifications will be considered valid within one (1) year of the issuance date. (Physical Fitness Standards: https://www.ptb.illinois.gov/media/1755/new-power-test-chart-2023.pdf
• Must be able to meet vision standard at time of appointment. Must be correctable to 20/20 in both eyes, including field of vision/depth perception/color vision within normal ranges.
• Must be of excellent moral character and personal integrity.

ELIGIBILITY PROCESS:

• Must possess a valid Police Officer Physical Ability Test certification (POWER card) by the time of the background phase. Certifications will be considered valid within one (1) year of the issuance date. The background phase will occur at different times dependent on placement on the eligibility list.
• A subsequent polygraph and psychological examination will be required, in addition to a thorough background investigation, drug screen and pre-employment physical.

AURORA POLICE DEPT. TATTOO POLICY:

Tattoos to the head, neck and facial area are prohibited. Hand tattoos are not allowed, however, there are very limited exceptions with approval from the Chief of Police.

Officers are permitted to have tattoos elsewhere, visible to the public, if the tattoo is not objectionable or demeaning to the image of the Department. The nature, number, size, and location of the tattoos are all factors in determining whether such tattoos are objectionable or demeaning. Examples include but are not limited to; tattoos that contain nudity, profanity, or to be perceived as gang related, criminal, obscene, sexual, racial, or detracts from the professional image of a law enforcement officer.

The covering of objectionable tattoos with make-up, sleeves, Band-Aids, etc., shall not constitute conforming to this policy. All tattoos shall be covered for court appearances.

SALARY:

Starting salary $92,248.00, plus a full benefit package.

Salary Schedule: https://publicsafety.aurora.il.us/Police/Join-APD/Salary-Details

HOW TO APPLY:

ALL steps below MUST be completed by the posted deadline to be considered for the eligibility list. Please use your full legal name when completing your application and registering for the exam.

1. Submit application online on the City of Aurora UKG employment site and upload all required documents (see Document Checklist below). Your application and required documents must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. CDT on August 19, 2026.

DOCUMENT CHECKLIST:

• Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate, if applicable.
• Valid driver's license.
• Valid Police Officer Physical Ability Test certification/POWER card (certifications will be considered valid within one (1) year of the issuance date).
• High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• Unofficial copy of high school transcript or G.E.D. composite score. Documents must be in their entirety and show your final cumulative G.P.A.

If you did not achieve a high school diploma with a grade point average of 2.0 out of 4.0, or a G.E.D. with a minimum composite score of no less than 401 points, you may also submit an unofficial copy of your college transcript. College transcripts must have a minimum of 16 credit hours with a grade point average of 2.0 out of 4.0.

Please Note:

• There are a limited number of attachments allowed by the system when submitting your application. Please be sure to only attach the documents being requested. Other pertinent items will be collected at the appropriate time in the hiring process.

If you have any trouble uploading a document, you may send them via email to civilservice@aurora.il.us. The "subject" line of the email should read: 2026 Police Officer Eligibility. Make sure to include your full name (name should match your application) in the message and indicate which documents you have attached.

2. Schedule and take the video-based job simulation multiple-choice exam. Visit: National Testing Network (Click Here) to register, pay and select testing location. The exam must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. CDT on August 26, 2026.

• There is a non-refundable base fee of $65 for the exam and an additional cost for each department where you indicate you want to apply. Payments are made electronically using a credit card.
• An option will be available to select the Aurora Police Department as a testing location to take an in-person written exam on select days.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• July 8, 2026 - August 19, 2026: Application Period. Your application and required documents must be completed and submitted online on the City of Aurora's website by 3:00pm CDT, on August 19, 2026.

• July 8, 2026 - August 26, 2026: Testing Period. You must register and complete the Law Enforcement video-based, job simulation multiple-choice exam through the National Testing Network. The exam must be completed and submitted by 11:59 PM CDT, on August 26, 2026.

• September 1, 2026: Applicants will be notified of their application and exam status on this date. Status updates and notifications will be available through your UKG applicant profile.

• Applicants who meet the requirements and are deemed eligible will be provided with the preference points form and given the opportunity to apply for preference points at a later date.

• September 17, 2026: The certified eligibility list will be posted on the City of Aurora's website - https://www.aurora.il.us/Government-and-Engagement/Jobs/Civil-Service-Eligibility-List.

Please Note:

• You can track your application status through your UKG candidate account. Notifications will be emailed from the UKG system, so please be sure to frequently check your inbox, as well as spam/junk folder in your email.

HARDSHIP WAIVER: If you are interested in this opportunity but are unable to pay any of the process fees including the National Testing Network exam fee, please complete the Financial Hardship Request Form (Click Here). Applicants must complete and submit an employment application through the City of Aurora's online employment portal before a financial hardship waiver request will be considered.

Return your complete Financial Hardship Request Form in person to the Human Resources Department or via email for consideration. All required documents must be attached with your form. Please allow at least 5 business days for review.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Human Resources Department

44 E. Downer Pl.

Aurora, IL 60507

civilservice@aurora.il.us

630-256-3430

To learn more about employment opportunities at the Aurora Police Dept. visit: Aurora Police Employment Opportunities | Aurora, IL (aurora-il.org)

To learn more about the City of Aurora, IL, visit: https://www.aurora-il.org/1120/About-Aurora