APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLY ONLINE
Interested applicants must submit an application online using the GovernmentJobs system. You can access this specific application by clicking here. Applicants need to be prepared to begin processing immediately after submitting their application. The entire process can take as little as 3 months. Applicants who are not available for employment within the next 4-6 months should wait to apply.
ONLINE PERFORMANCE EXAM
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be emailed instructions to take the online performance exam (usually within 2-3 business days). This is a computer-based work simulation test that measures the general aptitudes needed to be a dispatcher. No prior experience is necessary to pass the test, which may include the following areas: oral comprehension, reasoning ability, decision making, data entry, speed and accuracy, call summarization, cross referencing, and memory recall.
All applicants who pass the exam will be required to take a confirmatory exam later in the process. Any signs of cheating or receiving assistance will result in a permanent disqualification from employment with the Honolulu Police Department.
PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT (PHS) / FINGERPRINTING
Applicants who pass the online performance exam will be given access to their online PHS within two (2) business days. Applicants will have ten (10) days to submit an accurate and complete PHS. Applicants will also need to report to the HPD Career Center (by appointment only) for fingerprinting and to notarize an Authorization for Release of Information prior to submitting their PHS.
We highly recommend compiling the following information prior to taking the Online Performance Exam:
We highly recommend reviewing our Background Investigation Preparation guide, by clicking here.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION / CLARIFICATION INTERVIEW
Applicants who successfully submit their PHS will be assigned to one of our background investigators. Applicants will need to submit required documents to their background investigator after entering the background investigation phase. A list of required documents can be found here.
The background investigator will contact applicants within 30-45 days to schedule a clarification interview. During this interview, the responses to the PHS will be reviewed in detail along with other information obtained during the background investigation.
CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT
The Human Resources Division's Selection Committee (Lieutenant, Captain and Major) will review each candidate's background summary to determine if they meet departmental hiring standards and if so, applicants will be issued a Conditional Offer of Employment (COE).
The COE will be sent via email and applicants will only have 48 hours to accept the COE by calling the HPD Career Center.
POLYGRAPH EXAM
Applicants who accept the COE will be immediately scheduled for a polygraph exam to verify the accuracy of all information provided at previous steps. Applicants should expect the exam to last approximately 2-4 hours and should refrain from wearing a tie or long sleeve shirts.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM
Applicants will be scheduled to take a psychological exam which will last approximately 3-5 hours.
PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW
Applicants who take the psychological exam will be scheduled for an interview with a licensed police psychologist to discuss the results of the psychological exam, previous mental health treatment, diagnosis and any other areas of concern.
MEDICAL EXAM
Applicants who are deemed qualified by the police psychologist will be scheduled to take a medical exam conducted by the City's Health Services Department.
Interested applicants must submit an application online using the GovernmentJobs system. You can access this specific application by clicking here. Applicants need to be prepared to begin processing immediately after submitting their application. The entire process can take as little as 3 months. Applicants who are not available for employment within the next 4-6 months should wait to apply.
ONLINE PERFORMANCE EXAM
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be emailed instructions to take the online performance exam (usually within 2-3 business days). This is a computer-based work simulation test that measures the general aptitudes needed to be a dispatcher. No prior experience is necessary to pass the test, which may include the following areas: oral comprehension, reasoning ability, decision making, data entry, speed and accuracy, call summarization, cross referencing, and memory recall.
All applicants who pass the exam will be required to take a confirmatory exam later in the process. Any signs of cheating or receiving assistance will result in a permanent disqualification from employment with the Honolulu Police Department.
PERSONAL HISTORY STATEMENT (PHS) / FINGERPRINTING
Applicants who pass the online performance exam will be given access to their online PHS within two (2) business days. Applicants will have ten (10) days to submit an accurate and complete PHS. Applicants will also need to report to the HPD Career Center (by appointment only) for fingerprinting and to notarize an Authorization for Release of Information prior to submitting their PHS.
We highly recommend compiling the following information prior to taking the Online Performance Exam:
- Name, phone number, email address and/or physical address for:
- All immediate family members (including ex-spouses and domestic partners)
- 10-12 personal references (no previous supervisors or active HPD personnel)
- All previous supervisors
- All previous landlords
- Employment information since first job
- Business name, accurate dates of employment, position last held and duties.
- Residential history since age 15
- Complete addresses with accurate dates of residency.
We highly recommend reviewing our Background Investigation Preparation guide, by clicking here.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION / CLARIFICATION INTERVIEW
Applicants who successfully submit their PHS will be assigned to one of our background investigators. Applicants will need to submit required documents to their background investigator after entering the background investigation phase. A list of required documents can be found here.
The background investigator will contact applicants within 30-45 days to schedule a clarification interview. During this interview, the responses to the PHS will be reviewed in detail along with other information obtained during the background investigation.
CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT
The Human Resources Division's Selection Committee (Lieutenant, Captain and Major) will review each candidate's background summary to determine if they meet departmental hiring standards and if so, applicants will be issued a Conditional Offer of Employment (COE).
The COE will be sent via email and applicants will only have 48 hours to accept the COE by calling the HPD Career Center.
POLYGRAPH EXAM
Applicants who accept the COE will be immediately scheduled for a polygraph exam to verify the accuracy of all information provided at previous steps. Applicants should expect the exam to last approximately 2-4 hours and should refrain from wearing a tie or long sleeve shirts.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM
Applicants will be scheduled to take a psychological exam which will last approximately 3-5 hours.
PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW
Applicants who take the psychological exam will be scheduled for an interview with a licensed police psychologist to discuss the results of the psychological exam, previous mental health treatment, diagnosis and any other areas of concern.
MEDICAL EXAM
Applicants who are deemed qualified by the police psychologist will be scheduled to take a medical exam conducted by the City's Health Services Department.