How Chicago PD Hiring Works
Chicago Police Department hiring is managed by the Chicago Department of Human Resources (CDHR). When the city needs new officers, it announces an open application period and scheduled testing window. Candidates who pass the written exam are placed on a ranked eligible list — ranked by score, with veterans preference points added where applicable.
CPD calls candidates from the eligible list in rank order to begin the background investigation phase. This includes a polygraph examination, medical evaluation, and psychological screening. Only candidates who clear all phases enter the Chicago Police Academy. The academy runs approximately 6 months.
The starting salary for a Police Recruit in the CPD academy is approximately $56,000, progressing to $100,000–$112,000 as a full Police Officer IV. Specialty assignments, overtime, and longevity pay can push total annual compensation significantly higher.
Administered by
Chicago CDHR
Passing score
70% (90%+ competitive)
Residency
Required (city limits)
Starting salary
$56,000 recruit
What the CPD Exam Tests
The Chicago PD exam covers five main section types. Reading comprehension and written expression carry the most weight and are where candidates lose the most points.
Reading Comprehension
Passages from police procedures, Illinois statutes, and incident reports. Tests speed, accuracy, and the ability to extract facts under time pressure.
Written Expression
Grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling. Maps directly to police report writing. Errors here cost points that are hard to recover.
Data Interpretation
Tables, charts, and statistical summaries from law enforcement contexts. Tests whether you can extract and compare numerical information quickly.
Situational Judgment
Scenario-based questions testing professional judgment, community policing values, and ethical decision-making. No single "gut" answer — these require understanding CPD values.
Logical Reasoning
Deductive and inductive reasoning. Apply rules to specific cases, or identify patterns from sets of examples. Critical for report analysis.
What Score Do You Need?
The minimum passing score is 70%. But with thousands of applicants competing for each academy class, a score of 70% puts you at the back of a very long line. Candidates who score in the 90th percentile or higher are reached first and typically enter the academy within 1–2 years of the exam. Lower-scoring candidates can wait years — or see the eligible list expire before they are called.
Veterans preference points are added to your raw exam score and can meaningfully shift your rank on the eligible list. Even with preference points, a strong base score is essential — preference helps most when your written exam result is already high.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Chicago PD hiring work?
Chicago PD hiring is administered through the Chicago Department of Human Resources (CDHR). When the city opens a testing cycle, candidates apply online and are scheduled for the written exam. Those who pass are placed on an eligibility list, ranked by score. CPD then calls candidates from the list for a background investigation, polygraph, medical screening, and psychological evaluation. The process from exam to academy can take 1–3 years.
Is there a residency requirement for Chicago PD?
Yes. Chicago has a residency requirement — sworn officers must live within the city limits of Chicago. This requirement applies after hire, not at the time of application. You do not have to live in Chicago to apply, but you must establish residency before or shortly after beginning employment. Verify the current requirement with CDHR as policies can change.
What is the passing score for the CPD written exam?
The minimum passing score for the Chicago PD written exam is typically 70%. However, with hundreds of candidates competing for each academy class, passing with 70% places you near the bottom of a very long eligible list. Candidates who score 90%+ are typically reached first. Veterans preference points can be added to your score and meaningfully affect list rank.
Does Chicago give veterans' preference on the police exam?
Yes. Illinois law and City of Chicago policy grant qualifying veterans additional points on civil service exam scores. Veterans with a service-connected disability may receive more points than non-disabled veterans. Ensure your discharge paperwork and VA documentation are ready when you apply. Even modest preference points can shift your list rank significantly.
What is the starting salary for a Chicago Police Officer?
Chicago Police Officers start at approximately $56,000 as a Police Recruit during the academy. After graduating and completing the probationary period, salary steps upward toward approximately $100,000–$112,000 for a P.O. IV (fourth step). Officers in specialty units, detectives, and supervisors earn more. CPD also offers overtime, which many officers use to significantly increase annual earnings.