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Metropolitan Police Recruit
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an upper age limit?
No. The only age restriction is that the applicant be at least 20 years old at the time of application.
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). After successful completion of the above, Recruits spend approximately 14 weeks at 4th Watch which is a foot patrol in Chinatown and Waikiki.
What are the 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 ample prior notice will be given.
Is Ke Kula Maka'i a “live-in” Police Academy?
No. Ke Kula Maka'i is not a live-in facility. Recruits must seek their own living arrangements.
Do I have to pay to attend Ke Kula Maka'i?
No, you do not pay. From the first day of Recruit School, you are considered to be a paid probationary employee of the Honolulu Police Department.
Do Police Recruits from other law enforcement agencies attend Ke Kula Maka'i for Recruit School?
No. 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.
Can I go to school or work while attending Recruit School?
It is not recommended. Recruit School is a demanding full-time job. Besides the school day, the Recruits are expected to complete their homework and study for examinations, all after hours. Any other job(s) that the Recruit may have must be approved by the Chief of Police as Outside Employment. For some recruits, additional physical training is necessary to pass the Fit for Life requirements.
Will a College Degree help?
A degree will not give the Recruit any extra points in the hiring process or in Recruit School. Having a degree will provide extra points in promotional examinations.
What is the FTEP (Field Training Evaluation Program)?
After graduating from Recruit School, the Recruit is assigned to the FTEP program for several months. The Recruit will be paired with a seasoned officer who observes, trains, and evaluates the Recruit’s progress.
What kind of hours do Police 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.
Will the Department help me with Higher Education?
Yes. The Department has a program that reimburses police officers for certain core college classes in the field of Criminal Justice.
What part of the island will a new patrol officer be assigned to?
After leaving FTEP, new officers will be assigned to wherever staffing needs are the greatest. HPD officers patrol only the island of O'ahu.
How long is Probation?
12 months. It begins from the first day of Recruit School.
Does the Department provide assistance with relocation expenses?
No. The Department has no relocation assistance program at this time.
Does the Department accept lateral transfers from other Police Agencies?
No lateral transfers are allowed at this time.
Are Out-of-State applicants processed differently than In-State applicants?
Whether from Out-of-State or In-State, each applicant must successfully pass each step of the hiring process. For Out-of-State applicants, the process is designed to combine as many steps of the hiring process into as few trips as possible - three (3). There have been times in the recent past where HPD has traveled to the mainland to meet the Out-of-State applicants halfway. This means that instead of three roundtrips to Honolulu, applicants may only have to make two or even just one.
Is the Honolulu Police Department “P.O.S.T.” certified? Will the HPD accept P.O.S.T. certifications?
The Department is not certified with the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) program. The Department does not accept the certification from applicants at this time.
I am not a U. S. Citizen, National, or Permanent Resident Alien. Will the Department sponsor me while I seek U. S. Citizenship?
No. The Department has no sponsorship programs at this time.
Does the HPD pay patrol officers to drive unmarked police vehicles?
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. The Department pays the officers a subsidy for purchasing and maintaining the vehicle, which could be used both on and off duty.
Are transfers allowed?
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.
Does the HPD offer any promotional opportunities?
Yes. The HPD is a paramilitary organization with a similar rank structure.
After completing probation, an officer may take the Sergeants examination
after 5 years of service. College credits may be substituted for up to
2 years of service. This means that with a college degree, an officer
who has completed probation may be eligible to take the Sergeant’s
examination after 3 years of service.
Are there any Military Preference points awarded on the entrance exam?
The Department of Human Resources (DHR), the City's personnel office which conducts the civil service test, no longer grants military preference points. This change occurred after the test went to a Pass/Fail format.
