Good news for future Chicago PD testers

[deadbirdie]

From today's Chicago Sun Times:


Cops' entrance exam to be offered 4 times, on Internet

November 16, 2005

BY FRAN SPIELMAN AND FRANK MAIN Staff Reporters

Chicago's police entrance exam will be offered a record four times next year -- and for the first time ever on the Internet -- after an outreach aimed at bolstering minority applicants.

"The Chicago Police Department leads the country in technology. We're looking for people who are computer literate. It would only make sense that one of the ways to reach them is through the Internet," police Supt. Phil Cline said.

Testing held at colleges


Police departments across the country are vying against each other and the military for candidates and some have even resorted to offering economic incentives.

When Chicago Police recruiters visit job fairs here, "we're seeing a lot of other departments as well," said police Personnel Cmdr. Brad Woods.

That has forced Chicago to kick its outreach efforts into overdrive.

The department is advertising on the Internet and on television and has formed a cadet program in which high school students work part time in police stations to experience the job firsthand, Woods said.

The department is not experiencing a manpower shortage, Woods said. Still, after going all of 2005 without entrance exams, the department will hold tests in February, May, August and November.

"By having the test once a year, we would miss someone who was away at college or overseas while serving in the military," Cline said.

Candidates will be able to take the entire test on the Internet at three city colleges: Wright, Daley and Malcolm X. Test-taking will be closely observed by monitors to ensure there is no cheating. Pen-to-paper testing will be available at those same locations.

Outreach before the Feb. 18 and 19 exams will start with a network of community and faith-based organizations that were instrumental in boosting the number of minority applicants for the last test in 2004.

To qualify, applicants must be 21, have a valid driver's license and have accumulated at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of credit from an accredited college or university. Chicago residency is required, but only at the time of employment.

Cline is expected to tout the plan for frequent online testing when he testifies today at City Council budget hearings.

Computerized scoring



It won't be enough to appease Ald. Anthony Beale (9th).

At a budget hearing this week, Beale made it clear to Acting Personnel Commissioner Jacqueline King that he would not be satisfied until police and fire exams are scored on the spot.

"You can fly to California, [take a police or fire exam] and get your score before you fly home" he said.

King said City Hall is looking at on-the-spot computerized scoring of police and fire entrance and promotional exams "down the road." But she said it won't be available this time around because of issues related to the "reliability of scoring equipment."

[tomekeuro85]

Thats awesome, I actually asked my Criminal Justice teacher tonight, who happens to be a Liutenant for the Chicago Police, and thats exactly what he told me. The only thing I dont like is the 21 years old part. Does anyone think that if I apply under 21 they will still let me go for a while and just wait until I'm 21 until I get hired?

[CPDZone9]

"...Not experiencing a manpower shortage."

Then why are there rarely enough units to give jobs to.

[CPDboi]

Did anyone else take the exam this weekend?

[cialesboy]

Did anyone else take the exam this weekend?

I took it this past weekend, what did you think?

[CPDboi]

Odd to say the least...

I got about 70% of the vocabulary and left the rest blank. I finished the recall section. The other sections had me going cross-eyed but I finshed those too.:p

Is there a chance we'd be in before the end of the year?

[Morgan20]

How did you guys get so much red rep? You're giving Chicago a bad name!:D

[scootsmo]

Odd to say the least...



Is there a chance we'd be in before the end of the year?

Possibly but very unlikely.

[CityOfChicago]

"...Not experiencing a manpower shortage."

Then why are there rarely enough units to give jobs to.

ab-so-f*cking-lutely.

[cialesboy]

Red rep?

[Morgan20]

Red rep?

red tarts under your posts.

means you were talkin' when you shoulda been listenin'

[CPDboi]

Did any of you that took last months exam plan on taking the June exam too?

Is that allowed?

[CPD Dude]

They're hiring 100 a month for the rest of the year. I'll bet you won't get called this year. I took the test in '04 and they just started calling off my list (About 3500). And you know they won't be hiring alot in '07, but you never know. Good Luck, it's a LONG process.

Cheers

[CPDboi]

Why wouldn't they be hiring a lot in 2007?

[CPD Dude]

It all depends on how many people are retiring and how short the department is. The department should be up to staff by years end.