So You Wanna Be an Oak Park Police Officer?

Looking to join the Oak Park Police Department? 

Remember this date and time: Sat., March 26 at 8:30 a.m. And don't be late. 

Testing for entry-level police officer positions takes place March 26 at Oak Park-River Forest High School, 201 N. Scoville Ave. in Oak Park. The session begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. and officials said there is no admission after that. 

The session will include an orientation and exam. Both are mandatory. 

Organizers say the orientation covers job responsibilities, information on salaries and benefits and will contain a Q & A portion. The exam will include questions "regarding math, reading comprehension, grammar and incident report writing."

The starting salaries for entry-level jobs is $57,336. Benefit information is included in the PDF accompanying this story. 

Here's the qualifications

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Over the age of 21
• Speak and understand English
• Possess an Associate’s Degree or successful completion of 60 semester hours at an accredited college or university, with a grade average of “C” or better
• Submit official transcripts and completed application in-hand or postmarked by 5 p.m., April 22, 2011. 

Here's what you'll need to bring 

• $10 application fee (cash only)
• Valid driver’s license
• Copy of birth certificate or proof of U.S. citizenship

Candidates will be narrowed down based on their ability to meet the requirments listed above, as well as achieving written test scores of 75 or higher and the ability to pass a physical test. 

When a job candidate's name is "at or near the top of the initial eligibility list," they'll still have to pass a background check , personality assessment and an oral test with a composite score of 70 or higher. 

Once a job offer is made, officials said, candidates still need to pass an "updated" background check, a medical test which includes a drug screening and an "in-depth psychological test" and a "state-mandated power test."