Hello all,

I've been looking for departments that are hiring, testing soon, accepting apps, etc. for a while now in Central Illinois(where I'm moving to).  So far, I've been looking on google maps for cities around my target area, finding the phone number of their police department, and basically just calling them and asking if they are accepting apps.  My problem is that some say yes, some say not until next year, and some say they are accepting applications but they are not actually hiring.

Does anyone know of a better or more efficient way of doing this or know of a good way I can find departments that are actually doing their testing process soon?

 I would apply even though they are not hiring, to those that said they will not hire until next year, i would try again and again, check their websites regularly and call Human Resources to find out, don't give up!

I concur with darsavmo on his comments. Another piece of advice I wish to offer is when/if you make application keep follow up calls to a minimum. If you become a pest you may be over looked as personnel speak to one another. Keep in mind they constantly field calls and inquires from others. At times large volumes. If they advise you to sit tight follow their advice.

You can try lawenforcementjobs.com

My own personal position on locating a position with an agency has shifted a bit. It seemed always best to call an agency's H/R, Recruiter or Personnel Office to inquire. This still may be appropriate in a lot of cases.

After working in the police academies for 12 years I have seen a lot of methods of finding and landing a job. Again, phone calls, going to a recruiting offices, going to City Hall or County Offices, calling in a favor from an officer-friend from within a certain agency, doing ride-alongs with officers at agencies where you want to work, filling in interest cards and/or simply knocking on the door of an agency and asking about police hiring opportunities may still apply in some places.

New hiring integration: The online application. This is not new but it is becoming more of the norm. Online applications are in lieu of actually taking to people .. because those people contact positions have been thinned out due to budgets. So, the new normal is to get onlline and apply. THEN, hook up with the department for the ever popular ride-along. Don't be surprised if an agency does not offer ride-alongs at this time.

I have read the online applications for some agencies. Within the website announcements are a one liner that says 'Do not attach a resume to this application'. Again, this is becoming more of the normal way a county or city is accepting job applications.

Note: When you are applying for a police or deputy position, remember you are applying for a city or county job. A police department or sheriff's department is not a stand alone business. A PD or S/O is a 'department' among many: Parks Dept, Street Dept. City or County offices, City or County Works, etc. So getting hired is not like dropping into your local business and picking up an application. You go to the main offices of the city or county to start there. That is where an online application is (on the face of it) more efficient.