To be eligible for the Lateral Entry Training Program, applicants must meet the following requirements at the time of application submission: 

1. Applicant must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age. 

2. An applicant twenty (20) years of age may apply if they have successfully completed an associate’s degree or 60 credit hours at an accredited college or university.

3. Applicant cannot have been convicted of a felony.

4. Applicant must be a citizen of the United States.

5. Applicant must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of completing the application.

6. Applicant must be willing to accept an assignment anywhere in the State.

7. Applicant must have completed one of the following options:

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​OPTION ONE:

• Associate's degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university with a C average or better​​​​​​​​​​​​

OPTION TWO: No education needed if applicant meets one of the following:

• Honorably discharged AND awarded at least one of the qualifying medals by the United States Armed Forces. 
• An active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces AND awarded at least one of the qualifying medals as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty. 
• An active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces AND awarded at least one of the qualifying medals as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty.  
• Honorably discharged AND served in a combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay during deployment on active duty. 
• Has at least 3 years of full active and continuous United States Armed Forces duty, which also includes a period of active duty with the State of Illinois under Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code pursuant to an order of the President or the Governor of the State of Illinois, and received an honorable discharge.

OPTION THREE: No education needed if applicant meets the following:

• Has successfully completed basic law enforcement training, with at least 3 years of continuous, full-time service as a peace officer with the same police department, and is currently serving as a peace officer. 

8. Must be a current certified police officer, having graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy. 

9. Must have at least two years of experience while employed as a full-time sworn police officer. 

10. Must be able to provide proof of successful completion of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)/International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) approved DWI/DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing training program prior to starting the class.