PATROL
Serve and protect those living in and traveling through Elkhart County.
COMPETITIVE PAY
12-hour shifts
HEALTH CARE
MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.
Composed of a police force of 70 officers, those hired will be afforded the opportunity to serve and protect those living in and traveling through Elkhart County.
On average, our officers respond to over 50,000 calls for service each year, which includes responding to over 2,700 vehicle crashes and initiating over 4,000 criminal investigations. Those applying for the position of patrol officer should understand their duty to protect citizens from dangerous crimes in progress, which have the potential to cause injury or death to the officer. Many of the calls require a response to minor offenses such as infractions, misdemeanors, and serious crimes such as felonies.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- High school graduate or equivalent (college is preferred)
- Valid driver’s license
- Applicant must be at least 21 years of age and a US Citizen
- Must be of good reputation and character.
- The applicant shall not have been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.
- A physician with an unlimited license to practice medicine shall examine the applicant to aid in determining that they are physically fit for normal police functions and Indiana Law Enforcement Academy basic training requirements.
- The applicant shall be given a job-related pre-screen written examination which will include math, grammar, spelling, comprehension, and sentence structure, and the applicant shall achieve a score no less than the minimum acceptable score established for the given test.
- The applicant must submit to a polygraph test by an examiner designated by the department.
- The applicant must pass a drug screen. Applicants currently using illegal drugs will not be hired. Applicants with a history of illegal drug use may be disqualified.
- An emotional stability and psychological fitness examination shall be required of any person under consideration for a merit position to aid in the determination that they can endure the stress of the working conditions, and are suited to the position of police officer, and to determine if they are fit for duty as a police officer.
- The applicant must be willing to reside in Elkhart County within 180-days of appointment.
- The Sheriff’s Office will conduct a physical fitness assessment on the applicant to determine if the applicant has strength, endurance, aerobic, and anaerobic stamina to meet the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy basic training physical fitness standards. The applicant will be required to pass firearms and taser qualifications and handcuffing utilizing both the right and left hands.
Benefits To Joining Our Patrol Team
- Annual longevity pay with regular market-rate comparisons to ensure competitive pay.
- Shift-differential pay.
- Multiple specialty areas to mold one’s chosen career path.
- State-of-the-art employee gym.
- Scheduled off every other Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Pension and supplemental retirement investment plans.
- Uniform cleaning/maintenance funds.
- Modern, well-maintained vehicle with take-home and off-duty driving privileges.
- Employee/family health clinic providing no-cost care and many no-cost medications.
Upcoming test dates
405.7 square miles
of unincorporated land in Elkhart County patrolled.
109,342 citizens
living in Elkhart County with the protection of ECSO.
67,930 calls
for service to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office.
The Process
Complete Application
Complete the application online.
Physical Ability Test
All applicants must pass a physical ability test that measures the applicant's ability to navigate situations they could encounter on the job.
Written Exam
Applicants must receive an acceptable score on a standard written examination, which includes math, grammar, spelling comprehension, and sentence structure.
Background Check
To uphold the integrity of the Office, all applicants must undergo an extensive pre-employment character background and criminal history check, as well as polygraph and drug tests.
Interview
The Elkhart County Sheriff's Office expects the highest standards of performance, ethical conduct, and truthfulness of all officers — on and off duty. All applicants will be interviewed to ensure their values align with those of the Office.
Oath of Office
Welcome to the team! Applicants who have been extended a job offer will take an Oath of Office to affirm their commitment to faithfully and impartially carrying out the duties of the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office.
COMPETITIVE PAY
Patrol officers put their safety and their lives on the line to serve and protect our community, and no amount of pay can recognize that level of commitment. However, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office offers competitive pay and benefits.
Upon completion of field training, patrol officers make a minimum of $27.78 per hour in their first year.
Additionally, applicants with experience at another federal, state, or local agency will be credited with one year for each year of experience.
The increase shown from year to year is guaranteed for each year of service. Officers are eligible for additional increases based on level of education, job performance evaluations, specialties and available certifications achieved.
12-hour rotating shifts
The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office has operated on a 12-hour rotating shift schedule since 2016, providing more time off for officers while increasing staffing during critical hours. The 12-hour shift schedule is shown to lower stress levels and improve physical and pyschological wellbeing. Since there are only two shift changes each day, coverage is less likely to be interrupted and there is less chance for miscommunications.
All officers are scheduled for a three-day weekend every other week.
The shedule provides officers with up to seven days off per 14-day period, meaning they're working fewer days than before.
Although officers have additional time off, the rotating schedule provides for more officers on duty during critical times.
FREE HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLINIC
The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office offers full medical and dental insurance to employees.
Employees and their eligible family members can also access a free Health & Wellness Center that provides a full array of medical services. Employees can access personal primary care, urgent care, personal health coaching, preventive screenings, on-site labs
and lab draws for specimens that need to be sent outside the clinic, and an on-site dispensary of frequently prescribed generic medications at no charge.
Meet your captain
Meet your captain
“I am finishing up my 26th year with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office and am proud and honored to say that. The benefit that jumps out to me, on a personal level, is that the agency offers me the opportunity to serve the community, hoping to impact at least one person in a positive way. Working in Elkhart County also gives a sense of variety and freedom without the confines of working for a city or town agency.”
Captain Brian Holloman
COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING
The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office follows a community-oriented policing model in order to build relationships and build trust within our community. Officers get to know the neighborhoods and the people they serve, resulting in a safer community.
