The Hawai‘i Police Department (HPD) is looking for qualified people interested in serving our Hawai‘i Island community as part of its upcoming recruitment for entry-level police officers. Recruitment will open on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, and will close at 11:59 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time, on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021.

Starting salary for Police Officer I positions is $65,652 a year with benefits including paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, military leave, health insurance, group life insurance, a uniforms and equipment stipend, automobile subsidy, and retirement. Interested applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Graduated from high school or obtained a GED.
• Knowledge of grammar, spelling, and word usage.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Be at least 20 years of age at the time of filing, and at least 21 years of age by the time of graduation from the Police Academy.
• Be qualified to carry and/or possess firearms or ammunition in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Must not have any misdemeanor or felony domestic violence convictions.
• Meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations, such as have a correct ratio of weight to height; possess good eyesight and good physical condition and agility according to standards set by the County of Hawai‘i.

Submitting an application is the first of several steps to becoming an officer with the Hawai‘i Police Department. The department prides itself on its rigorous screening and training program that graduates highly qualified officers. Applicants that meet the initial minimum requirements must then pass a written test, physical agility test, stringent background check, polygraph examination, psychological test, formal interview, medical clearance, and drug screening. Upon hiring, they will then undertake six months of academy training five days a week. After successful completion of academy training, new recruits will transition from an academic setting to four months of field training where they are paired with an experienced officer and gain hands-on experience, forming the foundation of their career.

“Being a police officer with the Hawai‘i Police Department is not just another profession, it’s a calling,” says HPD Training Sergeant Ryan Pagan. “If you have the courage to pursue this calling, we strongly encourage you to apply,” says the 13-year veteran.

Applicants must apply using the County of Hawaiʻi Job Opportunities web page and create an account.

For more information, visit the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Police Officer Recruitment page at www.hawaiipolice.com. Hawaiʻi County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.