Approximately 19,000 people on Saturday took the first entry-level police officer written examination since 2010.
The exam was held during two sessions at McCormick Place with roughly 10,000 test takers per session, officials said.
“Those taking the Police entrance exam today have the opportunity join the greatest police officers in the world protecting and serving our residents, and I wish the applicants all the best,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The entry level exam is the first step in the evaluation process to become a Chicago Police Officer.
Following the exam, the Department of Human Resources will provide the Chicago Police Department with an eligibility list of all those who passed the exam. The next evaluation phases are conducted by the Police Department prior to entering the Police Academy.
Applicants who pass the test will be placed on a pre-qualified applicant list based on a lottery. Those applicants will be called for further processing as positions become available.
"Today, the future of the Chicago Police Department is bright," said Superintendent Garry McCarthy. "Over the past two and a half years we’ve offered long-overdue opportunities for our officers to grow professionally in order to help the Police Department build upon itself as a dynamic organization today, tomorrow and for years to come – to continue reducing crime and violence.
