Despite strict qualifying requirements, village officials say candidates have been lining up to apply for three full-time positions as police officers.
Monday is the last day to apply for the jobs that now require either a college degree or prior experience in law enforcement.
The starting salary is $31,700 a year.
Tinley Park Police Chief James Wade said the department recently pushed for the advanced education requirement, making it one of the first in the south suburbs to do so.
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“We want to be assured that our police officers can communicate well and are exposed to the diversity of the world culture,” Wade said.
At least 300 applicants have paid the $10 filing fee, some coming from as far as Munster, Ind., according to village clerk Frank German.
German said the would-be officers also listed home addresses in Northlake, Chicago, Harvey, Mt. Prospect, Oak Forest, Frankfort and Country Club Hills. Some are police officers elsewhere.
By requiring that candidates have college degrees, Tinley Park joins a growing number of suburbs that at least require recruits to have some college credits, including Schaumburg, Oak Park, Wilmette and Willowbrook.