MPR Applicant - Frequently Asked Questions

• Is there an upper age limit?
• I am not a U.S. Citizen, national, or permanent resident alien, will HPD sponsor me while I seek U.S. citizenship?
• Are veterans' preference points awarded on the entrance exam?
• Will a college degree help?
• Does HPD accept lateral transfers from other police agencies?
• Is HPD "P.O.S.T." certified? Will HPD accept P.O.S.T. certifications?
• Are out-of-state applicants processed differently from in-state applicants?
• Does HPD provide assistance with relocation expenses?
• How many months is the police academy recruit school?
• What are the recruit school hours?
• Is Ke Kula Maka'i a "live-in" police academy?
• Do I have to pay to attend Ke Kula Maka'i?
• Do police recruits from other law enforcement agencies attend Ke Kula Maka'i for recruit school?
• Can I go to school or work while attending recruit school?
• What is the Field Training and Evaluation Program (F.T.E.P.)?
• What part of the island will a new officer be assigned to?
• What kind of hours do patrol officers work?
• Can officers transfer to different assignments?
• Does HPD offer any promotional opportunities?
• Will HPD help me with higher education?
• Does HPD pay patrol officers to drive unmarked police vehicles?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is there an upper age limit?

The only age restriction is that the applicant be at least 20 years of age at the time of application, and 21 years of age upon recruit school graduation, to comply with firearm laws. There is no upper age limit. (Top)

 

 

 

I am not a U. S. citizen, national, or permanent resident alien, will HPD sponsor me while I seek U. S. citizenship?

HPD will not sponsor anyone at this time. (Top)

 

 

 

Are veterans’ preference points awarded on the entrance exam?

Veterans’ preference points may apply. The details can be found on the application. (Top)

 

 

 

Will a college degree help?

A college background may help you to better comprehend portions of the written exam, but does not give an applicant preference points. Having a college degree is beneficial for promotion to a higher rank. (Top)

 

 

 

Does HPD accept lateral transfers from other police agencies?

HPD does not accept any type of lateral transfers. (Top)

 

 

 

Is HPD “P.O.S.T.” certified? Will HPD accept P.O.S.T. certifications?

HPD is not certified with the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) program. As such, HPD does not recognize this certification from applicants. (Top)

 

 

 

Are out-of-state applicants processed differently from in-state applicants?

Because of the number of applications we process and the requirements for scheduling each applicant, the Honolulu Police Department makes an effort to process all applicants in the same manner, regardless of residence. (Top)

 

 

 

Does HPD provide assistance with relocation expenses?

If selected to attend recruit school, applicants are required to provide for their own relocation. HPD does not have a relocation assistance program. (Top)

 

 

 

How many months is the police academy recruit school?

Recruit class at Ke Kula Maka'i (Hawaiian for “the Police School”) is approximately 5 ½ months or 22 weeks. The police academy recruit school is then followed by 2 weeks of post academy classes and 14 weeks of the Field Training and Evaluation Program (FTEP). (Top)

 

 

 

What are the recruit school hours?

6:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. There are exceptions where the hours will be changed for a specific function, but prior notice will be given. (Top)

 

 

 

Is Ke Kula Maka'i a “live-in” police academy?

Ke Kula Maka'i is not a live-in facility. Recruits must seek their own living arrangements. (Top)

 

 

 

Do I have to pay to attend Ke Kula Maka'i?

From the first day they attend Ke Kula Maka'i, recruits are paid probationary employees of the Honolulu Police Department. (Top)

 

 

 

Do police recruits from other law enforcement agencies attend Ke Kula Maka's for recruit school?

The recruit classes at Ke Kula Maka'i are exclusively for the Honolulu Police Department. Other agencies often attend various classes and functions on campus, but no other jurisdiction trains recruits here. (Top)

 

 

 

Can I go to school or work while attending recruit school?

Attending recruit school is a full-time job. Adding to an already demanding schedule may not be possible. In addition to a full work day at the academy, recruits may have assignments to complete and obligations to fulfill after academy hours.  Employment performed in addition to work at HPD must be approved beforehand by the Chief of Police. (Top)

 

 

 

What is the Field Training and Evaluation Program (F.T.E.P.)?

After graduating from recruit school, recruits are assigned to FTEP. The recruit will be paired with a seasoned officer who observes, trains, and evaluates the recruit’s progress.How long is probation?Probation is 12 months long, which begins from the first day of recruit school. (Top)

 

 

 

What part of the island will a new officer be assigned to?

After successfully passing probation, new officers are generally assigned to wherever staffing needs are the greatest.  HPD officers patrol the island of O'ahu only. (Top)

 

 

 

What kind of hours do patrol officers work?

Patrol officers have a 5 / 9 work schedule: 5 days per week / 9 hours per day. The officer will have one 8-hour workday and 3 days off every other week.

The "watch" hours are:

First : 10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Second: 6:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.

Third : 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

These hours are subject to change. (Top)

 

 

 

Can officers transfer to different assignments?

Yes. Transfers within one area of HPD to another are common. Officers may transfer:from patrolling one part of the island to another;from patrol assignment to non-patrol assignment. The transfers are based on seniority and good standing within the Department. (Top)

 

 

 

Does HPD offer any promotional opportunities?

Yes. HPD is a paramilitary organization with a similar rank structure. (Top)

 

 

 

Will HPD help me with higher education?

Yes. HPD has a program that reimburses police officers for certain core college classes in the field of Criminal Justice. (Top)

 

 

 

Does HPD pay patrol officers to drive unmarked police vehicles?

Yes. The Department has a subsidized vehicle program. After serving several years in the Department, an officer has the opportunity to purchase his/her personal vehicle. The vehicle is selected from a list of Department-approved vehicles. HPD pays the officers a subsidy for purchasing and maintaining the vehicle, which could be used both on and off duty. (Top)