THE KNOX COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF PATROL DEPUTY YEAR-ROUND AND ONLINE. CLICK BELOW TO APPLY!

If you are having trouble completing the application online, you can call (309) 345-3733 to make an appointment to complete the application at the Knox County Sheriff's Office, 152 S. Kellogg St, Galesburg, IL 61401. You will need to bring your original documents (IE: Drivers License/Birth Certificate/DD214) and copies will be made to attach to your application. 

The Knox County Sheriff's Office's Merit Commission has amended the Merit Rules regarding Hiring Requirements, Applications, Examinations and Testing.

Changes Regarding Requirements & Lateral Transfers

Duties of a Patrol Deputy

In addition to patrolling the 720 square miles of Knox County, the Patrol Division is responsible for responding to calls for service in the unincorporated areas of the County and in the local towns and villages that do not have a 24-hour police force. Some of the more common calls for service the patrol division responds to are:

Domestic Disturbances, Traffic Crashes, Crimes Against Persons (battery, assault, etc.), Property Crimes (burglary, theft, damage, etc.), Neighborhood Problems & Assisting Motorists.

When not handling calls for service, Patrol Deputies are also responsible for enforcing traffic and criminal laws, DUI enforcement, drug interdiction, executing arrest warrants and serving civil process. The Patrol Division routinely assists local law enforcement officers and the State Police.

The Patrol Division has numerous specialized assignments that a Deputy may apply for or be assigned to:

Investigations
K-9
D.A.R.E.
TRIAD (Elderly Service Program)
School Resource Officer
DCFS Investigator
Juvenile Officer
Firearms Instructor
Training Officer
Search & Rescue Liaison
Taser Instructor
Field Training Officer (FTO) 

The Patrol Division also offers room for advancement and promotion. The current rank structure consists of four (5) Sergeants (4 patrol and 1 investigator), a Lieutenant and Chief Deputy. Officers must first meet the criteria for promotion and then complete the testing process established by the Knox County Merit Commission.

Current Patrol Deputy Benefits:

• Starting wage of $26.01/hour
• Lateral Transfer Incentives (See below)
• 12 hr. Shift's with rotating 3 day weekends (Fri/Sat/Sun)
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 30 Mile Residency Map
• Take Home Vehicle
• Opportunity for Paid Overtime or Compensatory Time
• Paid Training
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, Personal Days & Sick Time
• Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Labor Union
• SLEP/IMRF Retirement Program
• Initial Issue of Uniforms, Body Armor & Duty Weapon
• Yearly Uniform & Equipment Allowance

Lateral Transfer Incentive:

A newly hired, experienced Deputy shall start at the step on the pay scale that is commensurate with their completed years of service as a law enforcement officer in the State of Illinois. To be eligible for this increased pay, the Deputy must have at least six (6) months of fulltime consecutive experience with their agency and also be able to meet the certification standards of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board or be able to obtain a waiver. Further, the Deputy must come from a full-time position with another law enforcement agency (working in a road patrol division or specialized patrol position) directly to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

The above shall only apply to the 6 Year step (i.e. an employee with 4 years of service will start at the 4 Year step, an employee with 7 years of service will start at the 6 Year step). The respective employee will proceed from that step normally (i.e. an employee starting at the 6 Year step shall move to the 9 Year step after three years with Knox County). The section shall apply to any current Deputy, who would have qualified for this benefit when they were hired. The above shall have no effect on the new employee's seniority with the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

 

For questions regarding employment or hiring procedures, contact:

Chief Deputy Lindsey May
Knox County Sheriff's Office
152. S. Kellogg Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
(309) 345-3734