Featured Programs and Schools in Hawaii


The US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2020 data shows that 2,470 police and sheriff’s patrol officers were employed in the Island of Hawaii. If you want to join the ranks of these brave men and women, then read this article to find out how you can become one.

Hawaii Police Department Requirements

Following are the minimum requirements you need to meet to work as a police officer in Hawaii:

  • Candidate should have high school education or alternatively a HiSET or GED.
  • Candidate should be at least 20 years old at the time of application.
  • Candidate should be not any younger than 21 years old at the time of completion of police academy training.
  • Candidate should have a valid driver’s license by the time of application closing deadline.
  • Candidate should be qualified to handle or carry ammunition or firearm in compliance with Hawaii and federal laws.
  • Candidate should not have any conviction on his/her record.
  • Candidate should have US citizenship.
Educational Requirements High school diploma or equivalent
Experience/Training Training from Police Academy, Moderate on-the-job training
Key Skills Interpersonal Skills, Decision Making Skills, Teamwork, Physical Endurance, Strong Moral Character, Courage, Problem Solving Skills, Cultural Awareness, Sense of Ethics, Perseverance and Initiative, and Conflict Resolution
Annual Mean Salary – Hawaii, HI (2021) $80,050 (Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers)
Job Outlook – Hawaii, HI (2018-2028) 4% (Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) and O*Net Online

Steps to Become a Police Office in Hawaii

The process is long and may take a couple of months to complete. It consists of the following steps:

  1. Hiring Process

Once all the above requirements are met, the candidate is eligible to apply for the position of a police officer in Hawaii. To become a police officer in the state, every candidate will have to pass the following examinations:

  1. Written Exam

This exam takes place in Hawaii only. The exam is two hours long and contains multiple choice questions.

  1. Physical Agility Test

The top 150 candidates with the highest score in the written exam will be asked to come for a physical agility test. This test will require the candidates to run an obstacle course in a maximum of 70 seconds.

  1. The Screening Process

The candidates that pass the physical agility test successfully will be screened by the Hawaii Police Department. The candidates will be gauged on the following parameters:

  • Their knowledge of word, spelling, and grammar.
  • Ability to communicate and explain laws and ordinances, etc.
  • Their age and physical condition will be analyzed.
  • Their eyesight will be assessed on the following parameters:
  • The candidates should have a distant vision of 20/20. Candidates who use contact lenses should have a 20/200 binocular vision at least before correction which should be 20/20 by correction.

Candidates who have had their vision corrected by any other means other than soft contact lenses should have a 20/40 binocular vision at least, which should be corrected to 20/20.

Hawaii Police Departments

There are three major police departments in Hawaii:

  • Honolulu Police Department.
  • Maui Police Department.
  • Kauaʻi Police Department.

Salary of Police Officer in Hawaii

O*Net Online forecasts a 4% increase in employment opportunities for police and sheriff’s patrol officers in Hawaii, HI between 2018 and 2028. The corresponding national average for this occupation is 7%. $80,050 was the mean annual salary of police officers in Hawaii, HI as per BLS in 2021. Below are the top 5 highest paying states for this occupation in the US in 2021.

State Annual Mean Wage 
California $ 102,920
Washington $ 92,390
New Jersey $ 91,690
Alaska $ 87,510
Illinois $ 82,800

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021)

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