BECOME AN OFFICER

The face of policing has changed over the years, but there is still a need of the original concept of Sir Robert Peel:

“The police are the public and the public are the police.”

Policing in this day and age can be challenging, exciting and fast paced. It takes a person of strong character, a giving heart, and a sense of community to wear an Elkhart Police badge.

Are you willing to stand up to adversity for your community and fellow man? Can you meet this challenge?

Download Application
Interested, but want more information?

BECOME AN OFFICER

The face of policing has changed over the years, but there is still a need of the original concept of Sir Robert Peel:

“The police are the public and the public are the police.”

Policing in this day and age can be challenging, exciting and fast paced. It takes a person of strong character, a giving heart, and a sense of community to wear an Elkhart Police badge.

Are you willing to stand up to adversity for your community and fellow man? Can you meet this challenge?

Download Application
Interested, but want more information?

Career Paths

» Patrol
» Bomb Squad
» K-9 Unit
» Drug Recognition Expert
» Field Training Officer
» Honor Guard
» Drone Operator
» Elkhart County Homicide Unit
» Hostage Negotiator
» Community Relations
» Detective
» S.R.O. School Resource Officer
» Meth Team
» Uniform Evidence Technician
» S.W.A.T. Special Weapons & Tactics
» A.T.F. Project Disarm Task Force
» Accident Reconstructionist
» E.V.O.C. Instructor
» Defensive Tactics Instructor
» Firearms Instructor
» Breathalyzer Operator
» Armorer
» Tactical Field Officer
» Limited English/Sign Language Proficiency compensation

Benefits

» 10 Personal Days per year
» 10 Vacation Days per year
» Take Home Car Program
» Double Time Pay for call ins and posted overtime
» Holiday, Longevity, and Shift Differential Pay
» Health, Dental, and Life Insurance
» Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF)
» 99% of Pension Contribution Provided by City

Salaries

(for 2024, with a 4.25% contractual increase in 2025)

» 3rd Class Patrolman – $64,420.00 – 1st year
» 2nd Class Patrolman – $68,240.00 – 2nd year
» 1st Class Patrolman – $75,240.00 – 3rd year
» Investigator – $76,240.00

» Sergeant – $80,465.00
» Lieutenant – $84,645.00

» $2,000.00 Annual Clothing Allowance
» $1,200.00 (Approx.) Annual Sick Incentive

Salary Information

Career Paths

» Patrol
» Bomb Squad
» K-9 Unit
» Drug Recognition Expert
» Field Training Officer
» Honor Guard
» Drone Operator
» Elkhart County Homicide Unit
» Hostage Negotiator
» Community Relations
» Detective
» S.R.O. School Resource Officer
» Meth Team
» Uniform Evidence Technician
» S.W.A.T. Special Weapons & Tactics
» A.T.F. Project Disarm Task Force
» Accident Reconstructionist
» E.V.O.C. Instructor
» Defensive Tactics Instructor
» Firearms Instructor
» Breathalyzer Operator
» Armorer
» Tactical Field Officer
» Limited English/Sign Language Proficiency compensation

Benefits

» 10 Personal Days after 1 year
» 10 Vacation Days after 1 year
» Take Home Car Program
» Double Time Pay for call ins and posted overtime
» Holiday, Longevity, and Shift Differential Pay
» Health, Dental, and Life Insurance
» Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF)
» 99% of Pension Contribution Provided by City

Salaries

(for 2024, with a 4.25% contractual increase in 2025)

» 3rd Class Patrolman – $64,420.00 – 1st year
» 2nd Class Patrolman – $68,240.00 – 2nd year
» 1st Class Patrolman – $75,240.00 – 3rd year
» Investigator – $76,240.00

» Sergeant – $80,465.00
» Lieutenant – $84,645.00

» $2,000.00 Annual Clothing Allowance
» $1,200.00 (Approx.) Annual Sick Incentive

Salary Information

Career Paths

» Patrol
» Bomb Squad
» K-9 Unit
» Drug Recognition Expert
» Field Training Officer
» Honor Guard
» Drone Operator
» Elkhart County Homicide Unit
» Hostage Negotiator
» Community Relations
» Detective
» S.R.O. School Resource Officer
» Meth Team
» Uniform Evidence Technician
» S.W.A.T. Special Weapons & Tactics
» A.T.F. Project Disarm Task Force
» Accident Reconstructionist
» E.V.O.C. Instructor
» Defensive Tactics Instructor
» Firearms Instructor
» Breathalyzer Operator
» Armorer
» Tactical Field Officer
» Limited English/Sign Language Proficiency compensation

Benefits

» 10 Personal Days after 1 year
» 10 Vacation Days after 1 year
» Take Home Car Program
» Double Time Pay for call ins and posted overtime
» Holiday, Longevity, and Shift Differential Pay
» Health, Dental, and Life Insurance
» Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF)
» 99% of Pension Contribution Provided by City

Salaries

» 3rd Class Patrolman – $64,420.00 – 1st year
» 2nd Class Patrolman – $68,240.00 – 2nd year
» 1st Class Patrolman – $75,240.00 – 3rd year
» Investigator – $76,240.00

» Sergeant – $80,465.00

» $2,000.00 Annual Clothing Allowance
» $1,200.00 (Approx.) Annual Sick Incentive

Salary Information

APPLICATION PROCESS

Once you’ve turned your application in you will be notified of our next testing. On testing day we will start with the physical agility first, the tests are to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy exit standards.

  • Vertical Jump: 16 Inches

  • One Minute Sit-ups: 29

  • 300 Meter Run: 71 Seconds

  • Minimum Push-ups: 25

  • 1.5 Mile Run: 16 Minutes 28 Seconds

Those applicant’s successfully completing this portion of the testing are then invited to take our general education test and a personality profile questionnaire. All of this is done on the same day.

Applicant’s that pass this portion are then sent onto background investigation, and once completed, those applicant’s
that meet department standards are invited to an oral interview with the department administration, human resources from the city, and members of the Merit Commission.

Upon completion of all of the above, applicants are then given a conditional offer of employment. If the offer is accepted then the applicant then has to complete a polygraph examination, medical and psychological exams. If all these things are passed then we request approval from PERF (Public Employee Retirement Fund). Once approved by PERF the applicant is eligible to be hired.

Lateral Entry Program Information

APPLICATION PROCESS

Once you’ve turned your application in you will be notified of our next testing. On testing day we will start with the physical agility first, the tests are to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy exit standards.

  • Vertical Jump: 16 Inches

  • One Minute Sit-ups: 29

  • 300 Meter Run: 71 Seconds

  • Minimum Push-ups: 25

  • 1.5 Mile Run: 16 Minutes 28 Seconds

Those applicant’s successfully completing this portion of the testing are then invited to take our general education test and a personality profile questionnaire. All of this is done on the same day.

Applicant’s that pass this portion are then sent onto background investigation, and once completed, those applicant’s
that meet department standards are invited to an oral interview with the department administration, human resources from the city, and members of the Merit Commission.

Upon completion of all of the above, applicants are then given a conditional offer of employment. If the offer is accepted then the applicant then has to complete a polygraph examination, medical and psychological exams. If all these things are passed then we request approval from PERF (Public Employee Retirement Fund). Once approved by PERF the applicant is eligible to be hired.

Lateral Entry Program Information

Requirements:

» Must be a US citizen
» Must be 21 years of age, but not yet 40 years when appointed
» High school graduate; or GED
» Possess a valid unrestricted driver’s license
» Must be willing, if appointed to reside in Elkhart or adjoining county within Indiana

Needed Documentation:

» DD214 if prior military
» High school, GED or college diploma
» High school and or college transcripts
» Birth certificate and a copy of valid driver’s license

Requirements:

» Must be a US citizen
» Must be 21 years of age, but not yet 40 years when appointed
» High school graduate; or GED
» Possess a valid unrestricted driver’s license
» Must be willing, if appointed to reside in Elkhart or adjoining county within Indiana

Needed Documentation:

» DD214 if prior military
» High school, GED or college diploma
» High school and or college transcripts
» Birth certificate and a copy of valid driver’s license