State Award of Merit pictured Deputy Chief, Officer adn Chief

Why Palatine PD?

Large supportive suburban Chicago community
110 Sworn Officers offers the benefits of a larger department while still having a family type atmosphere
Lateral program that allows officers to start at the rate earned by their level of experience
3 Bureaus including Patrol, Investigations and Community Engagement
1 Chief, 3 Deputy Chiefs, 7 Commanders, and 12 Sergeants creates multiple opportunities for advancement
Numerous specialties make for exciting opportunities to develop and advance throughout your career. See below as an example of some of the opportunities Palatine PD has to offer.

Palatine Durango from drivers side with lights activated

Arson Investigator

Their goal is to identify whether a fire was accidental or intentionally set and to pursue criminal charges when appropriate.

Detective (General)

Made up of (9) detectives who have different specialties including, computer forensics, property crimes, etc.

Bicycle Unit

Officers in the Bicycle Unit provide proactive patrols in parks, neighborhoods, and special events

Drone Unit

Palatine’s FAA-certified drone operators support 24/7 on-call response for traffic crashes, fleeing suspects, missing persons, armed subjects, crime scene documentation, and mutual aid.

Community Engagement Officers

Made up of 3 officers focusing on: Tenant Protection, Crime Prevention, Event Emergency Planning and School Safety

Drug Recognition Expert

Two highly trained officers who identify drivers impaired by drugs other than alcohol.

Forensic Technician

Collect, preserve, and analyze evidence from crime scenes to support investigations and prosecutions.

Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS)

A multi-jurisdictional SWAT team trained to respond to high-risk incidents across the region, including armed barricades, hostage situations, and active threats.

K-9 Officer

Palatine currently has (2) K-9's who are dual purpose dogs.

Police Training Officer

Mentor and evaluate new recruits through a structured training program, ensuring they are prepared for solo patrol and to uphold the department’s standards.

Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT)

Multi-jurisdictional team focusing on homicide cases, fatal vehicle crashes, surveillance and more.

Range Officer

Responsible for firearms training and qualification, ensuring all officers maintain proficiency and safety with their issued weapons.

Special Operations Unit (Detective)

Focus on narcotics, gangs, and weapons investigations, working proactively to target criminal networks and enhance community safety.

Truck Unit

Conducts inspections of commercial vehicles to ensure compliance with safety and weight regulations, helping to prevent accidents and protect roadway infrastructure.

School Resource Officer (Detective)

Build strong relationships with students and staff while ensuring a safe learning environment through mentorship, education, and law enforcement presence on campus.

Task Force Officer (TFO)

Assigned to federal or regional units, working alongside partner agencies to investigate complex crimes such as narcotics trafficking, gang activity, and violent offenses.

Traffic Unit /Motorcycle Unit

Focuses on enforcing traffic laws, and improving roadway safety through targeted enforcement and public education.

Uniformed Tactical Officers

Conduct proactive patrols in high-crime areas, focusing on gang activity, weapons offenses, and violent crime suppression through intelligence-led enforcement.