The City of Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety has approved and adopted the attached hiring process for sworn Officers of the Hammond Police Department. This process was enacted with the intent of providing impartial testing procedures, conducted by outside consultants, to ensure a fair and equitable employment opportunity for qualified individuals regardless of race, creed, gender, ethnicity or disability. The process was developed in conjunction with input from local community groups and church organizations, who voluntarily offered their assistance with this endeavor. The goal is to hire the most competent and qualified candidates to compliment the current professional force.
This manual was established to give all candidates an easy and quick path through the hiring procedure. The staff in Personnel and Training will still be here to assist and help at any time during the process. However, this guide will provide information and assistance at a quick glance. Please feel free to contact the Chief’s Secretary, Christine Allegra, with any questions or concerns at (219) 852-6326.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
ALL APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE INDIANA LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY.
1. APPLICANTS MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE OR ATTAIN SUCH AGE BY THE DATE OF HIRE AND NOT OLDER THAN 35 YEARS OF AGE BY THE DATE OF HIRE.
2. APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A VALID INDIANA DRIVERS LICENSE AT THE TIME OF HIRE.
3. APPLICANTS MUST NEVER HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR DOMESTIC BATTERY.
A. AN APPLICANT WHO HAS ENGAGED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY MAY BE REJECTED BY THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE APPLICANT HAS EVER BEEN PROSECUTED, CONVICTED, OR ACQUITTED.
4. APPLICANTS MUST BE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER.
5. APPLICANTS MUST BE A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR POSSESS A G.E.D. EQUIVALENT.
6. APPLICANTS MUST PASS ALL TESTING ESTABLISHED BY THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT.
7. APPLICANTS MUST BE A U.S.CITIZEN AND HAVE A HAMMOND ADDRESS AT THE TIME OF HIRE.
8. APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT TO VOICE STRESS ANALYSIS TEST(S).
9. ONCE APPLICANTS HAVE COMPLETED ALL NON-MEDICAL TESTING, AN INTERVIEW BY THE CHIEF’S BOARD, AND BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS, APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE AN APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE 1977 POLICE OFFICERS’ AND FIREFIGHTERS’ PENSION AND DISABILITY FUND, WHICH CONTAINS A CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT AND STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING. THE OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT IS CONDITIONED ON THE APPLICANT SUCCESSFULLY PASSING THE STATEWIDE BASELINE MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND THE STATEWIDE MENTAL EXAMINATION.
10. APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS STRENGTH AND AGILITY NECESSARY TO PERFORM ROUTINE LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES.
11. APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT TO FINGERPRINTING AND HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
12. APPLICANTS CANNOT HAVE BEEN DISHONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM MILITARY SERVICE. A DISCHARGE OTHER THAN HONORABLE MAY BE GROUNDS FOR REJECTION.
13. APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT TO A BATTERY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS AND AN INTERVIEW WITH A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST.
Salary - $40,083 Probationary Police Officer Salary
In general, applicants must possess a good working knowledge of the English language and be able to read and write in a manner consistent with levels of a high school or G.E.D. education. Applicants are encouraged to improve their reading comprehension, prior to the application process. Local libraries may be used as a resource to locate materials that could assist applicants in improving their reading skills. Also, the use of SAT type practice tests would allow an applicant not only to test their current skill level, but may further assist them in practicing basic reading skills. Use of these materials may also allow an applicant to be more at ease when taking the written test. When an applicant completes the short applicant form, they will be given a comprehensive set of materials, explaining when the various testing procedures will take place and what will be required of them.
· ALL APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS SHALL BE FURNISHED WITH AN APPLICATION THAT IS TO BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED BY THE APPLICANT AND RETURNED TO THE PERSONNEL AND TRAINING SECTION ON THE DATE OF YOUR ORAL INTERVIEW. IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF THE APPLICANT TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION IN FULL, INCLUDING ALL REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS.
· A COMPLETE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT ON EACH CANDIDATE. THE INVESTIGATION SHALL INCLUDE: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CHIEF’S BOARD, LOCAL AND NCIC CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS, FBI, NEIGHBORHOOD, AND FORMER EMPLOYER CHECKS. ALSO ANY OTHER INSPECTIONS THAT MAY BE NEEDED.
· EVALUATIONS THAT MAY BE USED, INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
1.) COMPETITIVE WRITTEN ENTRY LEVEL EXAMINATION.
2.) PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING.
3.) ORAL INTERVIEW.
4.) WRITTEN COMPOSITION.
To assist all candidates in the process, we are providing the dates for all tutoring sessions and testing. Information about each step will also be provided in a simple and clear description. Candidates are welcome to contact the Chief’s Secretary, Christine Allegra, with any questions regarding the hiring process at (219) 852-6326.
Date Event
September 15, 2013 Tutoring Sessions
September 22, 2013 Written Exam
October 5, 2013 Agility Test
October 16, 2013 – October 25, 2013 Oral Interviews
November 18, 2013 Final List
The Tutoring Sessions and Written Exam will take place at the Jean Shepherd Center, 3031 JF Mahoney Drive in Hammond, Indiana.
TUTORING SESSIONS
On Sunday, September 15, 2013, the Hammond Police Department will hold group tutoring sessions. These tutoring sessions are designed to help prepare applicants for the written exam that will be given on Sunday, September 22, 2013.
Attending the tutoring sessions on September 15,2013, is completely voluntary. Applicants are not required to attend any of the two - (2) sessions that are offered. Applicants that attend the group tutoring session will be given written materials, which are similar to the types of materials, which will be used at the written exam. These materials will be explained and applicants will be provided tips on how they can best prepare themselves for the written exam.
APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS DURING THE MANDATORY STUDY SESSION ON THE DAY OF THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION SO, IF YOU HAVE ANY AREAS OF CONFUSION, YOU SHOULD COME TO A TUTORING SESSION.
Date Time Location
Sun., September 15, 2013 9:00 a.m./11:30 a.m. Jean Shepherd Center 1:00 p.m./ 3:30 p.m. 3031 JF Mahoney Drive
Hammond, Indiana
Initial sign-ups for the Tutoring Sessions may be made by calling (219) 852-6326 or by coming to the Hammond Police Department, Personnel & Training Section (219) 852-2917, prior to 4:00 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2013
EVALUATION PROCESS INFORMATION
THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL ESTABLISH AN ELIGIBLITY LIST FROM THOSE WHO APPLY, NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 18, 2013. THIS ELIGIBILITY LIST WILL BE GOOD FOR ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE DATE OF VALIDATION, OR UNTIL IT IS EXHAUSTED, OR THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY, FOR GOOD CAUSE, DETERMINES THAT THE EXISTING ELIGIBILITY LIST SHOULD BE EXTENDED OR VOIDED AND A NEW LIST CREATED. APPLICANT SCORES COMPILED FROM BELOW LISTED EVALUATIONS WILL COMPRISE THE ELIGIBILITY LIST. THIS WILL BE IN A DESCENDING ORDER FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST PASSING SCORE.
WRITTEN APTITUDE TEST
This test will be administered at the Jean Shepherd Center,3031 JF Mahoney Drive, on Sunday, September 22, 2013
1. THE FIRST EVALUATION WILL BE A WRITTEN GENERAL APTITUDE TEST THAT IS CREATED BY A PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING FIRM. TO CONFORM TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE OF INDIANA. THIS TEST IS ADMINISTERED, MONITORED AND GRADED BY THE CONSULTING FIRM. ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2013, THE DAY OF THE TEST, YOU WILL BE FURNISHED WITH A STUDY GUIDE AND WILL HAVE A MANDATORY 2 HOUR STUDY PERIOD.
IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AND REGISTER FOR THE MANDATORY STUDY PERIOD BY 9:00 A.M., ON THE DAY OF THE TEST, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE TEST.
THE SCHEDULE FOR THE WRITTEN APTITUDE TEST IS AS FOLLOWS:
8:15 A.M. - 9:00 A.M. Registration
9:00 A.M. – 9:15 A.M. Instructions
9:15 A.M. – 11:15 A.M. Mandatory Study Period
11:15 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. Break
11:30 A.M. – 11:45 A.M. Check-In
11:45 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Instructions
12:00 P.M. - 1:30 P.M. Examinations
THIS TEST WILL REPRESENT 45% OF YOUR FINAL TOTAL. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE IN THE PROCESS, EACH APPLICANT MUST SCORE 80% OR HIGHER.
EACH APPLICANT WHO PASSES THE WRITTEN TEST WITH A SCORE OF 80% OR HIGHER WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MS. ALLEGRA TO CONTINUE ON IN THE PROCESS.
2. THE SECOND EVALUATION WILL BE THE PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2013, AT THE HAMMOND CIVIC CENTER, 5825 SOHL AVENUE, HAMMOND, IN. PLEASE WEAR WORKOUT OR GYM TYPE CLOTHING AND TENNIS SHOES. THE PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST WILL CONSIST OF A GENERAL OBSTACLE COURSE, WHICH IS JOB-ESSENTIAL AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. THE COURSE MAY INCLUDE SPRINTS, JUMPING, CLIMBING STAIRS, SCALING A FENCE, GOING UNDER AN OBSTACLE, DUMMY WEIGHT DRAG, AND THERE WILL BE TIME RESTRICTIONS. THIS TEST WILL BE A PASS/FAIL. THIS MEANS THAT YOU MUST PASS EVERY ASPECT OF THIS TEST TO CONTINUE COMPETITION.
IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PHYSICAL AGILITY PORTION, EACH APPLICANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS NO HIGHER THAN 150/90. IF THE APPLICANTS BLOOD PRESSURE IS ELEVATED, THE APPLICANT WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A DR’S NOTE STATING THAT THE APPLICANT IS PHYSICALLY ABLE TO COMPLETE THE AGILITY TESTING.
AFTER PASSING THE PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST, CANDIDATES WILL BE GIVEN THE APPLICATION. THIS DOCUMENT WILL HAVE TO BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY AND BROUGHT WITH ALL OTHER REQUESTED INFORMATION FOR THE THIRD EVALUATION PROCESS, THE ORAL INTERVIEW.
3. THE THIRD EVALUATION WILL BE THE ORAL INTERVIEW. THESE INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED BETWEEN OCTOBER 16, 2013 AND OCTOBER 25, 2013. THIS IS A FORMAL INTERVIEW, BY A BOARD CONSISTING OF THREE (3) MEMBERS: ONE (1) MEMBER FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT PENSION FUND, ONE (1) MEMBER, A SWORN MEMBER OF THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT, SELECTED BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND ONE (1) MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, SELECTED BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE. THIS BOARD HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY TRAINED TO CONDUCT THIS ASSIGNMENT.
4. THE FOURTH EVALUATION. ON THE DAY OF THE ORAL INTERVIEW, ALL CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE A WRITTEN SKILLS TEST.
· THE WRITTEN EXAM WILL BE 45% OF YOUR FINAL SCORE WITH AN 80% CUT-OFF.
· PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTS WILL BE PASS/FAIL.
· THE ORAL INTERVIEW WILL BE 45% OF YOUR FINAL SCORE.
· THE SCORE OF THE WRITTEN SKILLS EXAMINATION WILL BE 10% OF YOUR FINAL SCORE.
· APPLICANTS WILL BE RANK ORDERED BASED ON ALL OF THE ABOVE SCORES COMBINED.
EXTRA POINTS WILL BE CREDITED AFTER THE INTERVIEW FOR THE FOLLOWING:
MAXIMUM OF 2 POINTS FOR MILITARY SERVICE – MILITARY SERVICES INCLUDES BOTH CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY AND/OR SERVICE AS A DRILLING MEMBER OF AN ACTIVE RESERVE COMPONENT WITHIN ANY UNIT OF THE U.S. MILITARY FORCES. CREDIT WILL ONLY BE GIVEN FOR APPLICANTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE.*
MAXIMUM OF 2 POINTS FOR CREDIT HOURS FROM AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.*
120 CREDIT HOURS 2.0 POINTS
` 90 CREDIT HOURS 1.5 POINTS
60 CREDIT HOURS 1.0 POINT
30 CREDIT HOURS . 5 POINTS
MAXIMUM OF 2 POINTS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY CERTIFICATION. (POLICE OFFICER TRAINING ONLY).
*Maximum amount of extra points is 2 per candidate. In other words, applicants cannot receive credit for all three components.
The consulting firm will forward a final eligibility list and we will verify the total scores of each applicant and formally establish and validate an eligibility list.
This is a highly competitive process and each individual reaches their standing, on the list, by their own merits. We will make every attempt to assist each applicant through the long process, should they encounter a problem. However, be aware that the tests in the process have “set” dates that we cannot change, nor supplement. MAKE YOUR ARRANGEMENTS NOW to have these dates available. If you are seriously competing for a position on the department, we must have complete cooperation from you. You must show up on the dates scheduled and be on time. LATE ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE ADMITTED.
All candidates that have taken and passed all requirements will be notified, by mail, of their standing on the eligibility list.
APPLICANT MUST SUBMIT WITH THEIR LARGE APPLICATION
(If applicant has successfully passed the written examination and physical agility requirements)
THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:
· Copy of Birth Certificate
· Copy of Valid Driver’s License
· Copy of Social Security Card
· Copy of High School Diploma or GED Certificate
· Transcript of High School Grades with original seal by school – Transcripts may be mailed to our office at:
Personnel & Training
Hammond Police Department
509 Douglas Street
Hammond, IN 46320
· Copy of College Degree, if applicable
· Transcript of College grades with original seal by school, if applicable
· Copy of Military discharge and Service Record from DD-214, if applicable
APPLICATION AND DOCUMENTS ABOVE MUST BE RETURNED TO THE POLICE PERSONNEL AND TRAINING SECTION OFFICE ON THE DATE OF YOUR ORAL INTERVIEW
PLEASE NOTE: DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
Once the eligibility list is established and a vacancy occurs, the person with the highest score will be notified and advised of the vacancy. At that time, the hiring process will begin. Candidates will be required to pass the following:
· Background Check (Including interview by Chief’s Board).
· Voice Stress Analysis Evaluation
· Psychological Examination
· Medical Examination
· Interview and acceptance by the local Pension Board
· Approval from the Public Employees Retirement Fund (P.E.R.F.)
· If hired, each applicant scheduled to attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy or the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy will be required to pass the Academy Physical Agility Standards prior to the start of the academy session.
ALL TEST FEES WILL BE PAID FOR BY THE HAMMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Please feel free to call Personnel & Training at any time during the testing procedure. It is our wish that we hire the finest and most qualified candidates for the Hammond Police Department. We realize that the application process can at times seem overwhelming but, we are here to assist.
Good luck to all who apply!