Dating back to 1837, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the country. The CPD serves a population of over 2.7 million residents1 and, with approximately 12,000 sworn officers, is the second-largest municipal police department in the United States after New York City. The CPD patrols 279 beats across its jurisdiction. Anyone interested in joining the CPD will find information on requirements, training, salary, and career advancement below.

Chicago Police Officer Requirements

To be considered for appointment as a Chicago police officer, candidates must meet the following qualifications by the date they are appointed (the first day of the academy):

  • Be at least 20 years old to sit the written exam; be at least 21 and under 40 years old by the date of appointment
  • Be a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
  • Have a valid Illinois driver’s license with a Chicago residence address and a valid Illinois FOID card by the first day of the academy
  • Have at least 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) from an accredited college or university. The education requirement may be waived with two or more consecutive years of active military service (honorable discharge) or two years as a full-time peace officer; or three or more years within the past four years of full-time employment as a correctional officer, detention officer, licensed security professional, skilled trades worker, or paraprofessional in social services, health care, or education

The CPD hiring process begins with an online application through the City of Chicago careers portal during open recruiting periods. Candidates who apply will be placed on an eligibility list and entered into a lottery for further processing. Next steps include the Pre-Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (Pre-POWER) physical fitness test, a drug screen, a personal history questionnaire, and a background investigation. Candidates who clear these steps complete a final POWER physical exam and pass psychological and medical examinations before receiving a formal offer of employment. Upcoming hiring periods are announced on the CPD recruitment website.

For more information, see 10 Steps to Becoming a Police Officer on our homepage.

Chicago Police Department Education and Training Division

All CPD recruits must complete the department’s Education and Training Division (ETD) program before becoming sworn officers. The academy program consists of over 900 hours of basic recruit training at the Chicago Police Academy, located at 1300 W. Jackson in Chicago, and takes approximately six months to complete. The curriculum covers firearms knowledge and use, control tactics, law, ethics, report writing, vehicle stops, physical fitness, community policing, and scenario-based training. CPD recruits are also required to pass the Illinois State Peace Officer’s Certification Exam upon completing the program. After graduating from the academy, officers begin their probationary period in the field.

For more information on the CPD academy and training process, visit the CPD recruitment website.

Salary, Benefits, and Jobs Outlook

CPD officers start at an annual salary of $61,782, which increases to $93,186 after 18 months of service.2 The department also offers regularly scheduled pay increases and supplemental pay for specialized assignments, including duty availability pay and an annual uniform allowance.

Benefits include medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, home purchase assistance, and enrollment in the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago, the department’s pension–annuity fund for sworn personnel.

Illinois employment of police and sheriff’s patrol officers is projected to grow 3.2% from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 2,480 openings per year on average.3 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for police and sheriff’s patrol officers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area was $98,350 as of May 2024.4

Find open Chicago law enforcement positions on our jobs board.

Career Advancement at the Chicago Police Department

CPD officers begin their careers in the Bureau of Patrol. After completing their probationary period, officers are eligible to apply for transfer to specialized units, which include the Canine Unit, Marine and Helicopter Unit, Mounted Unit, Special Investigations Unit, and others. Lateral officers with prior law enforcement experience may be eligible for an expedited hiring process.

Promotion beyond the patrol officer rank is available through the department’s civil service process. Officers may advance to Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Commander. Promotion to Sergeant requires passing a competitive exam administered by the city. Under the 2026 CPD salary schedule, sergeants earn between $104,892 and $156,564 annually; lieutenants earn between $118,692 and $175,002; and captains earn between $130,680 and $188,352.6 Detective assignments carry a salary range of $90,816 to $138,318, with specialist detective roles (including Field Training Officer, SWAT, and Traffic) ranging from $93,942 to $142,350.6 Higher command ranks — Deputy Chief, First Deputy Superintendent, and Superintendent — are appointed positions.

Cities and Police Departments Near Chicago

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 24,500 police and sheriff’s patrol officers work in the greater Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan corridor.4 Law enforcement professionals in the region can also explore opportunities with the Arlington Heights Police Department (serving a population of over 75,500), the Aurora Police Department (over 180,700), the Des Plaines Police Department (over 58,800), the Evanston Police Department (over 76,000), and the Naperville Police Department (over 153,100).5 For more information about police departments across the state, see our Illinois page.

Additional Resources

  • Chicago Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) — A collective bargaining agent promoting the health and welfare of all Chicago police officers and their immediate families, and maintaining professional standards for the occupation.
  • Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) — Represents more than 1,200 members from over 450 law enforcement agencies in Illinois, providing professional development opportunities and acting as a legislative advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Chicago Police Department Contact

References:
1. US Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates, Chicago city, Illinois: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/chicagocityillinois
2. City of Chicago, 2025 Police Officer Job Announcement: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/general/2025_CPD_Posting.pdf
3. Projections Central / Illinois Department of Employment Security, Long-Term Occupational Projections, Illinois, 2022–2032, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers: https://projectionscentral.org/longterm
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0016980
5. US Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 Population Estimates, QuickFacts — Arlington Heights village, Aurora city, Des Plaines city, Evanston city, Naperville city, Illinois: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/desplainescityillinois/PST045224
6. Chicago Police Department, 2026 Position & Salary Schedule, Sworn & Civilian Personnel (January–December 2026): https://directives.chicagopolice.org/forms/CPD-61.400.pdf