If you are looking to become an officer of the law in Hawaii it is important to understand the hiring process. Hawaii works under a very similar step by step process to what’s explained on the homepage of this site. Hawaii’s police departments typically have recruitment times, it’s important to know when the recruitment times occur in order to be able to apply and try to get through the hiring process. If you know where you are wanting to work it is possible to be notified as to when recruitment is happening. Stay informed through the web, or by contacting the police department for which you would like to work.
Once you have selected the area you would like to try and apply with, and are notified as to when they are recruiting, you can begin the step by step process. As long as you meet the requirements you may submit an application. You will then need to take a series of tests, will have a background check done on you, and be interviewed. If you pass all of these steps and are selected you will then be enrolled in a police training academy. Once a candidate has graduated the academy they will then have their field training. After completing all of these steps a candidate will become a full-fledged officer in the state of Hawaii.
Hawaii State Requirements
The Hawaii state minimum requirements for candidates who wish to become police officers are very similar to the majority of other state’s requirements. A candidate must be at least 21 years of age in order to apply. Candidates must have a valid state driver’s license, they must be a legal US citizen, and they must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Another requirement is that candidate’s may not have been convicted of any felonies or major misdemeanors. These are just the requirements for applying.
Once a person has applied they need to be able to pass the exams. There is typically a written test, a physical ability test, a physical exam, and a psychological exam. Also, there is an extensive background check into a person’s financial, work, and personal history. Candidates will be interviewed based on information found as well. It is vital that a candidate be completely truthful at all times of the process. Honesty is highly valued in a prospective officer of the law, as well as integrity and valor. If a person is able to pass all of these requirements they may be selected to then attend the police academy. Keep in mind, however, that beginning the academy is just the beginning of the real challenge. Getting to that point is only half the battle. Academy training is rigorous and intensive. Stay focused on the goal of becoming a police officer, work hard, and do your best.
Average Salary for Police Officers in Hawaii
Surprisingly, a police officer’s salary in Hawaii is not on the high end of the national average. The reason this is surprising is because cost of living is very high in Hawaii. The average patrol officer’s salary in Hawaii is around 48,700 a year. However, there are lots of benefits for a police officer in Hawaii (besides the fact that you are living paradise). According to hawaiipolice.com the list of benefits includes:
• Holidays — 13 paid days a year
• Vacation — 21 working days a year
• Sick leave — 21 working days a year
• Military leave
• Funeral leave
• Accidental injury leave
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Uniforms and equipment
• Automobile subsidy
• Retirement — eligible for retirement with 25 years of police service
Detectives and criminal investigators in Hawaii make an average of 90,620 a year. Clearly there is a large jump in pay between a regular patrol officer and a detective. With the opportunity to move up in rank there is opportunity to increase pay.
Law Enforcement Training Programs in Hawaii
There are 10 schools in Hawaii that have criminal justice degree programs. Having a degree in criminal justice can give you an edge on the other applicants, it can also mean starting out at a higher pay as a result of having higher education. The following schools in Hawaii contain programs:
- Argosy University
1001 Bishop Street, Suite 400, Honolulu, HI 96813
888-323-2777
- Chaminade University of Honolulu
3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96816
808-735-4711
- Hawaii Community College
200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720
808-934-2500
- Hawaii Pacific University
1164 Bishop Street, Suite 800, Honolulu, HI 96813
808-544-0200
- Honolulu Community College
874 Dillingham Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96817
808-845-9211
- Kapiolani Community College
4303 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu County, HI 96816
808-734-9000
- Maui Community College
310 W Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului, HI 96732
808-984-3500
- Remington College
1111 Bishop Street, Suite 400, Honolulu, HI 96813
808-772-5978
- University of Hawaii at Hilo
200 W Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720
808-932-7446
- University of Phoenix
745 Fort Street Mall, Suite 200, Honolulu, HI 96813
808-536-2686
949 Kamokila Blvd., Kapolei, HI 96707
808-693-8686