Chicago Police!!

[shygirl1321]

Once again!! anyone here currently in the hiring process with the CPD??? :)

[Pedro56]

There are a few here. I am with the CPD you need to know something?

[Serpico]

I received an email from a recruiter months ago that stated CPD was gonna have their writtens sometime this November. Pedro, have you heard anything on this? The site hasn't been updated in over a year and it seems CPD recruiters aren't returning emails lately.

[Pedro56]

As soon as I hear that they are hiring or testing I will post it up on the site.

[bluezy]

Hey, I am a NC LEO trying to get info on Chicago. Im not sure when CPD is going to open test, but I was wondering if anyone can offer any advise for an out of state officer. Does chicago do testing over a long period of time or do they allow out of state persons to do combined testing to save multiple trips down to chicago. Also are out of state people encouraged to apply or are they like boston that wants to keep out of staters from becoming cops in there territory?? Finally where in chicage can you live?? is it only downtown or are there suburbs to live in that are livable, affordable, and comfertable?? any help would be great. I am extremely excited about the possibility to work in a large city, any help would be great. THanks

[WantItBad!]

Hey Bluezy,
Can't help you on when the test is or about combined testing. CPD is quiet on announcing test dates. I live here, have been talking to recruiters, am on the mailing list for test info and have still heard nothing...only rumors about a test in November.

On the other hand, you can live anywhere within the city limits from what I understand. (Pedro, correct me if I am wrong.) There are definitely affordable and livable areas in the city that are not in the downtown area. I am in a 2 bedroom on the northwest side (Logan Square) that goes for $800.00/mo (no heat). It is about 1100 ft^2, 12ft ceilings, enclosed back porch, full basement with storage, W/D. I have no parking issues and Da 'hood isn't too bad (just don't wear the wrong colors). I like it better here than in Roger's Park (on the north side, by Lake Michigan).

[Serpico]

Hey Bluezy,
Can't help you on when the test is or about combined testing. CPD is quiet on announcing test dates. I live here, have been talking to recruiters, am on the mailing list for test info and have still heard nothing...only rumors about a test in November.

On the other hand, you can live anywhere within the city limits from what I understand. (Pedro, correct me if I am wrong.) There are definitely affordable and livable areas in the city that are not in the downtown area. I am in a 2 bedroom on the northwest side (Logan Square) that goes for $800.00/mo (no heat). It is about 1100 ft^2, 12ft ceilings, enclosed back porch, full basement with storage, W/D. I have no parking issues and Da 'hood isn't too bad (just don't wear the wrong colors). I like it better here than in Roger's Park (on the north side, by Lake Michigan).

Hell, you can't even wear the right colors in some hoods.

If I was to be a cop in Chicago, I'd end up living out by Stickney (midway area). Downtown is out of the question on a civil servant's salary.

[WantItBad!]

That's funny Serpico, funny and true! I can't even walk down the street without some jack***** honking and asking if I'm dating....sad....
I like the northwest side, though, because it is close to all my favorite spots in the city. True Stickney is within the limits, but who the hell wants to be way on one side of the city. It's affordable there, but personally, I like living more centrally.
Bluezy, my apartment, if it were in the downtown area would be about $2000/mo (after we fixed it up like we did).

I just looked on the city of chicago website (www.cityofchicago.org) and look at the left side of the screen for "Find out about city employment." Then look again on the left side of the screen for I Want To... apply for a job online." Register there and look for available jobs. I am assuming (I know, I know....just assuming) they update that more frequently than the CPD website. Hope that is helpful!

[bluezy]

THanks for the info, I am still waiting to here when they are opening the hiring, but it sounds like everyone is waiting. I definately don't want to raise my family in the hood, so living on the other side of the city may be a better option. Does sanyone know anyhting about the academy? Is it a live in?

[bluezy]

hey, I wanted to finish my post, but I had to cut it short last time. I am new at this forum and getting used to the process of posting (sorry). If my posts seem a little jumbled it's because of that. My concerns with CPD have nothing to do with "will they assign me to the hood?" I could car eless where I get assigned, my concerns are more of where can I live with my family somewhat comfertabley (sp?) on the current starting salary. WHat is the financial assistance offered for house buying, what suberbs can I afford to live on at $50,000 a year? (what are the names of the suberbs so I can look at them on the internet. How are the school systems in that area, what benifits are offered (the website is not specific). What is the insurance policy offered, medical insurance premiums for a family of 3 (how much a paycheck). How much is union dues? How strong is the union. Are there take home cars? what other incentives are offered to police, what are the sifts (8-10-12?) rotating? etc etc etc

[ftlaudcop]

if yr coming from north carolina, and you do get hired...

trust me yr gonna get a baptism under fire.....

hopefully with urban re newal programs,

the chronically unemployed and depressed area's

will see a lotta people back to work, if ya have idle people

doing nothing all day, they resort to robberies, drug dealing,

then all the other attached social ill's.

I spent my teenage yrs...working district 6 for a family business
and spent adultood....from...china town to the indiana stateline
inthe hood workin for the railroad,...along with having eyes un the back of yr head,yr better have some street smarts...or they will try ya.


www.schackdaddy.com

[bluezy]

I appreciate the advise, however NC does have it's depressed areas, urban sprawl gang problems, drugs, and generally bad people that don't like the badge or uniform. I am sure I would get tried, not really a concern of mine right now though...why worry about a problem that has not presented itself. My philosophy is train train train, keep your head on straight and never think anything is routine. bad mojo can happen anywhere, not just in the big cities. But I appreaciate your advise anyway, I just don't worry about that getting tried on the job, if I did that, I wouldn't be in this line of work and I certainley would not want to work in CPD. thanks

[Serpico]

I appreciate the advise, however NC does have it's depressed areas, urban sprawl gang problems, drugs, and generally bad people that don't like the badge or uniform. I am sure I would get tried, not really a concern of mine right now though...why worry about a problem that has not presented itself. My philosophy is train train train, keep your head on straight and never think anything is routine. bad mojo can happen anywhere, not just in the big cities. But I appreaciate your advise anyway, I just don't worry about that getting tried on the job, if I did that, I wouldn't be in this line of work and I certainley would not want to work in CPD. thanks


All due respect, walk down 18th & Racine and see how it compares to NC. I'm sure NC has some ghetto areas but the Chi is like nothing you've seen. Trust me, I thought Chicago was the most ghetto area until I worked out on the South Bronx and Jamaica, Queens. Point is, you'd be surprised how bad an area can actually be.

[ftlaudcop]

serpico,

if ya know where ' robbins' illinois is....suburbia the hood.....

used run around the midway area as well,

after h.s i ran a gas station at archer ave and lotus ave
just east of central.( think a dominicks grocery store is their )

long run, glad things worked out.....2008 i collect my bag of peanuts...!
the roller coaster ride has been a good one for sure...!

[bluezy]

All due respect, walk down 18th & Racine and see how it compares to NC. I'm sure NC has some ghetto areas but the Chi is like nothing you've seen. Trust me, I thought Chicago was the most ghetto area until I worked out on the South Bronx and Jamaica, Queens. Point is, you'd be surprised how bad an area can actually be.

hey, Im not trying to get into a which is worse area, Im sure we could compare cities all day long. My point was basically you can get shot anyhere. Not...my city is cooler than your city. Keep in mind that there are scum everywhere. Also keep in mind that NC has the 2nd largest MS-13, SUR 13 problem in the US, and our meth problem is beyond exploding. There are areas in NC that are as ghetto as it gets (I say this having lived in NY, New Orleans and philly) I could name streets off to you in Charlotte that are beyond bad, but who cares cause thats not why Im writing...Im am simply trying to get help finding out info on CPD becasue my wife and I want to move there and where wondering what areas we could afford on a police salary that is "somewhat comfertable? I kinda took exception to Ftlauderdale's post becasue he implied that I have no idea what I am getting into....that makes no sense since he doens't know where I have come from. I didn't pick this line of work because it's safe...I picked it becasue it's who and what I am, and I want to be the best at it...period!!! I also would love to get help from people who have experience in CPD either applying or actually in it. I am hoping that pedro can shed some light on the questions I have asked.

[bluezy]

Ok, I really not trying to dominate the conversation but I want to add something to my last post. My goal is not to get in a ****ing contest with someone, on the contrary I enjoy learning from people. My point is that the reason I am looking at CPD is for a better life for myself and family. I know that I will be thrown into the mix if I get hired. Thats a part of the job! I am just not going to worry about it, I will continue to train to become a better LEO (a lifelong process) in order to prepare myself for the next shift, the next armed robbery, the next shots fired call, the next suicide, traffic fatality etc etc etc. hope that clears any confusion

[jax24]

Bluezy -
From the rumor mill, the test that was scheduled for November has been cancelled with no new date set as of yet. You have to live in Chicago to be a police officer. The northside of Chicago will be more expensive to live most likely $350k starting for a home. The west side is still shady and I would personaly not live there. The south side is up and coming and you can find affordable housing, but you will have to do alot of work to the home. Condo's are the thing here. Buy a condo and then sell it in a couple of years. The academy is not live in. The home purchase assistance is worth checking into, but you will have to buy in the ghetto and even then it's not much money. Chicago does not take lateral transfers, so you will have to do the academy all over. Overall, it takes about 2 years to get on after you take the written test.

[bluezy]

thanks for the info. why does it take so long for the hiring process? With the amount of officers (13,000) you would think that they need to replace very often. what does a decent condo cost?? (not in the ghetto)?? are the benifits good??

[jax24]

Chicago is soooo slow and the city claims money issues - which I don't believe. Mayor Daley just wants to keep planting flowers everywhere. You can get a decent condo for $200k but it will be small. In my opinion the benefits are good. Decent pension plus deferred comp and any comp time you accumulate. Depending on your sergeant, overtime is abundant, plus if you get in good with people, there are tons of side jobs that pay pretty well. I'm not on the job yet, I'm in the last stage of the background, but my best friend is a Chicago Cop and I get all my info from them. I would personally look fo rthe test in January.

[bluezy]

well that sucks about the wait time, but what are you going to do? How do they do the testing? IS it the written first and then physical fitness, and then interview, or do they do combined testing?? When you say small condo, how small are you talking about? DO you have any idea about retirement? 20-25?

[jax24]

The wait time does suck.
Take the written, it's about a 4 month waiting period until you find out that you passed. The power test is next about 2 months after that. 1 month later you go in for an orientation where you get your application packet, month after that is the pysch test, a month after that is the medical and pysch review and then after that....no news is good news and you sit and wait and wait until you hear from your BI. No oral boards.
Small condo about 600-900 sq feet. Trust me you can find a decent house if your willing to put some work into it and have somewhat of a down payment.
Don't quote me on the retirement but you can retire at 20 but at a lesser % of your ending pay. I believe after 26 years you get 80% (maybe 75%), but again, I'm not too sure.

[WantItBad!]

Hey Bluezy,
I lived in a 1BR on the north side (roger's park) that went condo for $180K. It was an old apartment that definitely needed fixing. Jax is definitely right about the fixing up part. My Apt had HW floor, W/D in basement, no air, radiator heat, high ceilings and lots of windows. Not a bad place to rent, but not for a family. It can get expensive living in the city. I have always heard that CPD officers get good side jobs that make up for that, though. I know of a CPD guy who was able to buy his first home in the city at 26. (He was single and no children though...)
Personally, if I were raising a family, I would not live in the city. Most of the schools are not great. How well your child would do depends a lot on how motivated he or she is. (I am a public school teacher's aide now in a northern suburb, not the city itself) If your child wants to do well, he or she will. There are a lot of temptations and ways to get side-tracked if they get into the wrong school. There are also good schools here: Whitney Young, Senn and a few others...
I am personally applying to many departments in the Chicagoland area (not just w/ Chicago itself) there are some great places to live that are close to the city. So at least you get to experience some of the city life. But to be CPD, you have to live within city limits. The south side is up and coming but that could be a real b*tch to travel from there depending on which district you would work in. (traffic)

I am seeking CPD as my #1, though, because I love the city and you can definitely live comfortably. For me, this job would be a huge financial step up. It might be rough at first with the initial starting ($40,300 I think. Check CPD website) salary but within 1 year out of the academy you'd be making $55,700 (not incl. OT), which will pay your bills for sure. If your wife works, you'll be even better off.

Suburbs to check out in Cook county: Evanston, Schaumburg, Skokie, Highland Park, (these are Northern)
Roselle, Medina, Wooddale, Bensenville, Addison, Glenwood....Maywood, Belwood, Forest Park, LaGrange, Schiller Park (these are western) I am not too familiar with many southern suburbs but I think Oak Park and Cicero are south.
Hope this helps!

[WantItBad!]

Sorry, forgot to add: if you are looking mainly at salary, you can make more in the suburbs. But the action (in certain ones) is definitely not there. If you want activity and action, go for the city.

[Serpico]

hey, Im not trying to get into a which is worse area, Im sure we could compare cities all day long. My point was basically you can get shot anyhere. Not...my city is cooler than your city. Keep in mind that there are scum everywhere. Also keep in mind that NC has the 2nd largest MS-13, SUR 13 problem in the US, and our meth problem is beyond exploding. There are areas in NC that are as ghetto as it gets (I say this having lived in NY, New Orleans and philly) I could name streets off to you in Charlotte that are beyond bad, but who cares cause thats not why Im writing...Im am simply trying to get help finding out info on CPD becasue my wife and I want to move there and where wondering what areas we could afford on a police salary that is "somewhat comfertable? I kinda took exception to Ftlauderdale's post becasue he implied that I have no idea what I am getting into....that makes no sense since he doens't know where I have come from. I didn't pick this line of work because it's safe...I picked it becasue it's who and what I am, and I want to be the best at it...period!!! I also would love to get help from people who have experience in CPD either applying or actually in it. I am hoping that pedro can shed some light on the questions I have asked.

I see what you're sayin. I wasn't trying to be a ***** about it. You lived in Philly? ahh man. :eek:

As it's been mentioned before, a CPD salary combined with the cost of living is gonna be rough. You'd make a bit more in the burbs. Aside from the ones already mentioned, look into these: Joliet, Aurora, and Harvey. All ghetto. Harvey is a cesspool, some really rough areas. Joliet and Aurora both have casinos. Aurora is actually 100,000+ in population and has some really nice areas too. Of course, none of these compare to what you'd see in the Wild 100s or K Town.

I can totally understand why you'd rather work in the city over the burbs, I'm gonna test for CPD and no suburban depts. If I dont get on in Chicago, I'm heading out west or down south.

edit... No oral boards? That's wild.

Ft... I know Robbins. I know two guys who got stabbed out there. Definately a sty. I was in Ft. Lauderdale last year, I can see why you headed south. You guys broke my balls pretty bad when I was there. I was working an insurance fraud case in a van with black curtains and IL plates. I was at my location for maybe 3 minutes, getting set up, and two of your guys came up before I could check in with the PD. No harm done or bad feelings. Quite comical in retrospect.

[ftlaudcop]

it was pretty good working here in the late 80's when cop's went on the air,
now they building way to many buildings and crammin people in smaller areas
and doing nothing with roads , water, sewage etc.

but the action is good, plenty of felonys to go around.....

just about 50% are driving with susp licenese or have a bench warrant.

we have service aid's do a lotta the police report not requiring a cop
to be there. a lotta 3rd world county people make up a lotta arrests
cause their criminal ways transfer here and they can't pay us off
with peso's or chickens.

my brother lives in midlothian, and when they tore the projects
down the gangsters moved into apt buildings that turned sec 8.

the place is not what is use to be, after being on the job a long time
and seeing the demographic's on diff parts of the country, etc...
i was lucky to be raised in the mid west.

yesterday i waas cleaning out my junk.drawer, ...my 1st 2 week
take home pay.....1983...$345 after tax's........which translates
t0 $12,500 a yr....

and talk about...mayberry...r.f.d......when i was in central fla,
sumtimes a deer would get killed on kennedy space center
property,..i'd have to get the jail van, and go get it....and the jail cook
who was a sgt.....did the honors...and the 250 man jail..had that the next day,...or they would take trustys into the river and cast nets into
the banana river or indian river and catch mullet too.
the great southern sheriff's..trying to save a buck......who know's
where that money went ( wink).

back in the day, i also inquired about chicago p.d.
but it was a time when ya had to know someone, they did not advertise
that much, or if you were a w/m, you'd get gray hair before they'd hire ya.
back in 1957, my dad had a choice...police, fire, sanitation....
$300 to the alderman..and bingo yr name was placed in upward mobility
on the civil service test list....he took sanitation , and made more
money than a cop or fireman....laughed all the way to the bank.
we lived at 83rd and western....lil west of the golf course.

those were the day's........

now i'm being punished.....( wink) sprink break and all......

www.schackdaddy.com

[bluezy]

Ok, so we may have covered this already, not sure but I am trying to get a feel for what I'll be looking for in the way of houses. Assuming I get hired and have 30,000 for a down payment, on a salary of 55,000 (w/o OT) can a police officer live in the nice safe comfertable area of chicago?? I have soeone to live with my first year so I am hoping to save a heck of a down payment. Also (keep in mind I don't know the city that well) I don't understand the policy on living in the city....can you live in the suberbs that still have a Chicago address?? or do you have to live inside downtown chicago. Are you good as long as your mailing address is chicago (is this making sense?) So the south side is up and coming?? Oh yea, is there an area that a majority of cops live?? If so what are the names of the areas they live in.

[jax24]

Let me explain this to you: you have to live in Chicago city limits so that does not mean you have to live "downtown". Chicagos neighborhoods are also known by different names. There's probably 50-75 different neighborhhods. For instance, Wrigleyville -on the northside by wrigley field, very expensive. Englewood - southside and not a very good place to live. Bridgeport, southside and up and coming. Gold Coast - very very expensive, Lincold Park, ver expensive. Mount Greenwood, as far south in the city as you can go, but alot of coppers and firemen live there because it doesn't have that city feel and last I hear is still affordable for a cut little house in the low $200ks which you would definately be able to afford with your down payment.

[Serpico]

You should look into Bucktown. I know a guy that stays out there. Not too pricey, decent area, and in close proximity to downtown.

Ft. Laud. cop

Your brother lives out there? Man, that's rough. Springbreak must be a good time. Busy as hell and bikinis ;)

[LEhopeful]

Bluezy, i know your struggling understanding the housing market in Chicago, and I'm sure it's tough not being from around here. To give you a reasonable idea, check out these sites, or sites like them: buyowner..com, forsalebyowner..com, . These sites let you see pictures of homes, take virtual tours, give pricing, monthly payments figured for down payments, a lot of good info. You can search by ZIP code, and let me suggest a few. I'm partial to the South and SW sides. 60655- Mount Greenwood= a lot of police and fire families. 60638-Solid neighborhood that is building up, with pretty good schools. And the western half of 60628- West Beverly= beautiful older homes, a little pricey though. And I'm not sure how others feel, but especially on the south side, I would suggest private schools, especially for high school. Others, feel free to chime in with zip codes or opinions, i'm not too familiar with the north side. And mods, i'm sorry about showing links to other web sites, but I figured this might help him out. And here is a good article that paints a very good picture of the distribution of city workers throughout the city : http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-cityjobs10.html

[WantItBad!]

Hey Bluezy, LEhopeful has a good suggestion. Try 60660 (rogers park area--north side, good mix of price ranges (I went to college at Loyola. Sorry Chi-town people for the north side loyalty!)) and 60626. Bucktown is also another good finacially mixed area, more centrally located than Roger's Park.

Also, a good down payment is 20%. If you're looking for a house, expect about $350K-$500K. The lower end is a typical bungalow style, while the higher end is more like a 2 flat with no side lot. That is good for rental income (if you want to deal with renters and that headache. But they usually equal out to 1/2 the mortgage....s.o. from the department might look to rent, which would be a good way to go. Otherwise...strangers are what you should expect.)
Condos are less, but have different advantages and disadvantages than a bungalow or 2 flat.

Definitely strongly agree about the private schools.

There is no way to live in a suburb and have a chicago address. That would be a nice loophole though! Yes, you can live safely in a decent house and not be downtown.... Downtown is usually referred to as The Loop. The other neighborhoods all go by different monacres...(Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Roger's Park, Edgewater, Logan Square, Wrigleyville (home of the Cubbies)....and on and on!)

[bluezy]

I think that I am beginning to understand teh haze which has come over me concerning living in chicago! I really appreciate all the help that has been afforded to me in this regard. If I am understanding, a house for about $300,000 gets me a small ranch...is that right?? Or I could rent from a cop?? Is that a viable option? Well I definately will be saving a down payment. I should get a premium fro my house when I sell it (great location) plus I will live with family in Lincoln Park for at least the academy (good chance to save money). I have been in Chi-town (do I sound like a native?) before and loved it, and when my wife and I were driving back we did make a wrong turn and ended up in a lovely little nieghborhood ( i think I could have bought crack and a prostitute from the same corner) Bad looking nieghborhood....kinda glad I was carrying! Anyway you guys have been great. Can anyone enlighten me on the hiring process? Are out of staters discouraged or encouraged to apply? Does it really take 2 years? How is the written test? THanks again

[Pedro56]

thanks for the info. why does it take so long for the hiring process? With the amount of officers (13,000) you would think that they need to replace very often. what does a decent condo cost?? (not in the ghetto)?? are the benifits good??

We have nowhere near the 13k that the city boasts, there is probably more like 8 tops if not less. We are way undermanned. As far as living I live on the far SouthWest side. You cannot live in any suburbs whatsoever. As far as Schools, be prepared to spend money, the public schools...no matter the neighborhood...bus kids in from the ghetto because the scores are higher in the working peoples neighborhoods than in the non working neighborhoods... it is bs...but anyways Private schools are the way to go. As far as 50k a year that isnt the starting salary so forget trying to find a place on that salary...you won't see that for a bit. (approx 1 year). And as far as 18th and Racine that area isn't to bad. I work in the 7th district, Englewood, the armpit of the city, from Western to the Expressway 55th to 75th. The place looks like Beruit and we would welcome any Al Qaida operatives to do any type of training in that area. We lead the city in violent crimes, except our neighbors to the west, the 8th district are beating us in homicides, only by a few though. The average house goes anywear from 225k to 350k depending on where 1 looks. I got lucky and got my 3 bedroom Georgian for 207k., and as of last week was offered 375K. (I pretty much gutted the inside and redid it myself spend around 50k still not a bad profit). If you have kids some of these neighborhoods that are "up and coming" forget about them. move into one that is up. Make sure it is up because there are a few that were up that are sliding. Anything else that I missed?

[bluezy]

8,000 huh?? So the city is off by a bit? Is it true that the hiring process is 2 years?? That really sucks. Last I looked at the website the starting was 40 with a bump to 52 at years end. I may have mistyped, but I was stating that I had a place to live for a year in chicago. How are the benifits, union, extra fees, overtime, and job satisfacton? What is the current retirement (20, 25?) thansk for your help

[ftlaudcop]

thanks for the up date....

I haven't lived up their since 82,

except doing prisoner pick up, and hangin with my brother,

it still looked like the ratty place i left, with the cock roachs

going westward into dist 8 and else where.

www.schackdaddy.com

[jax24]

Bluezy,
Like I stated before the hiring process is about two years. 1 and a half years if you're lucky and 9 months if you have a "phone call" and that's still if you're lucky, but generally, the hiring time is very slow for Chicago. But rumor has it, they are doing academies all year next year with a smaller amount of people in each. Hopefully I'll be in January. So, if they hold a test in January of 06, you have a good shot of getting in during the fall.
Morale is pretty good. It's like any other place, the new hires are gung ho, the ones with time in are "let the rookies do it" and the ones ready to retire are, well, ready to retire. They usually have people in the academy who came from different departments, they could care less if you were a PO previously - you're treated the same. You'll just be ahead of everyone else as far as experience.

[bluezy]

So anywhere from 9 months to 2 years?? Nice! It seems that places like CPD and NYPD require you to have "juice" in order to get things done. What type of phone call is required to get in quicker (just curious, I don't have any conections) I sure I would be reated like anyone else in the acedamy, I wouldn't expect any less. CPD has there own way of doing things and if I got hired I would be very eager to learn a new way. I have learned a few things on the road, and I am sure that would help me out in the long run, but the old saying "keep your mouth shut" apply's in this situation I would think (for a new recruit from another department). Out of curiosity doe sCPD have a full time SWAT team??


Bluezy
RLTW

[jax24]

Chicago's swat team is actually the HBT (hostage barricade team). They are part of SOS which is special operations section. I do believe they are in the procees of changing the name though to Swat but don't quote me on that. You usually need 4-5 years experience and a good work history with a Tactical team. As far as connections go, you don't always need them. If you prove yourself, you can pretty much work your way to any of the units, but if you know someone it always helps! : )

[bluezy]

So 4-5 years, good work record, and Im sure they have a real grueling selection process?? Can anyone tell me about the medical, health benifits, unions, etc etc?

[bluezy]

So 4-5 years, good work record, and Im sure they have a real grueling selection process?? Can anyone tell me about the medical, health benifits, unions, etc etc? What is the duty weapon (glock, sig, baretta?)

Bluezy
RLTW

[Pedro56]

Benefits are ok, they are getting worse, King Daley states that he wants the city 2 be out of the health care business by 2013, we'll see though. As far as phone calls for hiring, doesn't work that way anymore. Myself included my family has 96 years on the job (all are still active none retired yet) and it still took me 2 years. As far as SWAT it is SWAT not HBT anymore. As far as duty weapons we have a list we can by off of, they have to be DAO and are of the following manufacturers Sig Sauer, Berretta, Smith and Wesson, and Ruger. That is about it, Sig is the only thing that is worthy of anything so that is what I carry. We have to maintain a 9 so I have the P220 and the P226.

[bluezy]

so I can expect 2 years? THat sucks. I pay 90 every 2 weeks for my wife and I to get 80% coverage in health care. if I add a kid it goes up to 130 or so. What is your health care??

[amp2112]

The wait depends alot on who is assigned to do your background check.
If your package goes to an investigator who already has 100 people to check out, it will be a while. If he's got a stack of 10, it'll be quicker. It's the luck of the draw there...(or a phone call....)
Living arrangements, you've got to live in the city. If you don't have kids yet the options are a little wider since you don't have to worry about where they're going to school. If you can stay with someone in Lincoln Park your doing alright. Nice place.
Don't forget your gonna need about 5k for all the gear and uniforms you'll need to buy.
Some neighborhoods to consider .. (off the top of my head) Garfield Ridge,
Mt Greenwood, Edison Park, Bridgeport, Canaryville....

Cheers
Rob

[bulldog4382]

I just joined this website, an I am patiently waiting to be hired by the Chicago Police. I took the written in November 04 and have taken all the tests except the background check and second physical test. Does anyone know how long it takes to get to the background check and to the academy? I heard that there are some dates set up in either January or February.

[bulldog4382]

Sorry, just noticed you kind o went over my question.

[shygirl1321]

bulldog check ur private messages!!