DISQUALIFIERS / BACKGROUND STANDARDS
FOR THE police cadet program

The items listed on this page are meant to be an overview of our automatic disqualifiers. This is not an all-inclusive list of things that could keep an applicant from clearing the background investigation. 

Applicants must not have any of the following when entering the background investigation phase:
  • Respondent on a current Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), Protective Order (PO), Injunction Against Harassment or any other court issued protective orders.
  • Currently on probation.
  • Any pending or ongoing criminal cases (listed as a suspect).
  • Outstanding citations or parking fines.
  • Current stopper on driver's license or vehicle registrations.

THE ITEMS BELOW WILL PERMANENTLY DISQUALIFY A POLICE RECRUIT/POLICE OFFICER APPLICANT:

  1. Felony conviction.
  2. Conviction(s) of any crime of violence; offenses involving injury or threat of injury to another person such as assault, abuse of family or household member/domestic violence, terroristic threatening, and/or physical harassment.
  3. Conviction(s) of any sale of an illegal drug/controlled substance.
  4. If you have ever COMMITTED:
    • Murder
    • Promoting child pornography
    • Sexual assault/rape
    • Abuse of family or household member/domestic violence.
    • As an adult, sale or manufacturing of any schedule I, II, III or IV controlled substance, other than Marijuana.
  5. Separation from the United States Armed Forces with less than "Honorable" conditions.
  6. Any sustained investigation (Internal Affairs, Human Resources, etc.) relating to Civil Rights violations and Equal Employment Opportunity violations (discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, etc.) ​while working in any capacity.
  7. Any sustained investigation (Internal Affairs, Human Resources, etc.) relating to integrity, excessive use of force, or theft, while serving in a Law Enforcement or Public Safety capacity.

INTEGRITY

  • Any material misstatement of fact or significant admission during the application or background process shall be disqualifying, including inconsistent statements made during the initial background interview or polygraph examination or discrepancies between this background investigation and other investigations conducted by other law enforcement agencies.
  • Any forgery, alteration, or intentional omission of material facts on an official employment application or background document, or sustained episodes of academic cheating.

NO-SHOWS / MISSING DEADLINES

If an applicants misses a deadline to register for, or fails to report to a scheduled event/interview, the applicant will be disqualified for a period of one (1) year.

The information below will likely disqualify an applicant, however, these are only some examples of the Honolulu Police Department's Selection Standards. Applicants who meet the selection standards listed below are not guaranteed employment with the Honolulu Police Department and are evaluated in other areas which may deem them not suitable for employment.

DRUG USE

  • Possession/Use of Marijuana or other Schedule V controlled substance within two (2) years
  • Possession/Use of Marijuana Concentrates (eg. Marijuana Oil, Wax, Vape pens, etc.) within three (3) years
  • Possession/Use of Ketamine, Anabolic Steroids, Testosterone, Valium, Ambien or any other Schedule III/IV controlled substance within three (3) years
  • Possession/Use of Ecstasy (MDMA), Heroin, LSD, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, Adderall or any other Schedule I/II controlled substance (other than Marijuana) within six (6) years
  • Sale/Manufacturing of Marijuana or other Schedule V controlled substance within three (3) years
  • As a juvenile, sale or manufacturing of any Schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substances other than Marijuana within ten (10) years

ARRESTS/CONVICTIONS

  • Felony arrest (non-conviction) within five (5) years 
  • Misdemeanor arrest within three (3) years
  • Petty Misdemeanor arrest within two (2) years

ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW REQUEST

All applicants who are not-selected, or are deemed not-suitable, may request an "Administrative Review" within ten (10) calendar days of the non-selection email. 

TRAFFIC/DRIVING HISTORY

  • OVUII/DUI conviction within five (5) years
  • OVUII/DUI arrest within two (2) years
  • Receipt of three (3) or more moving citations within three (3) years - excludes dismissed citations
  • Conviction of excessive speed, racing or reckless driving within one (1) year
  • Involvement in three (3) or more motor vehicle collisions as an at fault driver within two (2) years