Testing with Honolulu PD

[toasterlocker]

I don't know if anyone will reply to this, as this part of the forum seems pretty dead, but I will give it a shot anyway.

I just got a letter from the HPD saying they wanted me to come test in late February. I had sent in an application after reading a story in USA Today about how the HPD is one of many departments desperate for more officers. I had always half-jokingly said that I would like to move to Hawaii, but after reading that article I began to take the idea more seriously.

I submitted the application thinking nothing would happen, but now that they actually want me to test! But before I drop the money to fly out there from the frozen wasteland of Minnesota, I want to: A) make sure Honolulu is really somewhere I would like to work, and B) make sure I actually have a chance at getting hired.

So for anyone that knows, please share the pros and cons of living in Hawaii or working for the HPD. Also, let me know what they expect in new hires. I obviously know the minimum requirements and stuff from their website, but what you realistically need to get hired at many places is generally much more than the minimum shown.

Also, be aware that I'm not completely ignorant. I've done some research (reading all of the HPD's website, and learning about moving to Hawaii), but I want some more personal opinions. I also found out that a cousin of one of my friends is a Sgt. at the HPD, so I'm hopefully going to get in touch with him and see what I can learn there. But I still want help from you all, because I don't want all of my info for such a big choice coming from only a few sources. Any help you all can provide would be much appreciated.

Here is some personal info about me, so you can let me know if you think I have a snowballs chance in hell at getting hired.

I'm a college student about a year away from getting my bachleors with a major in political science and a minor in human relations. I was going to school to be a teacher (thats why my major isn't criminal justice, didn't make sense to change as close as I am to graduating,) but after working for the campus Public Safety Department (where I'm presently a Sergeant) for the past two years, I've decided that being a police officer is what I really want to do. My GPA is garbage (Cs get degrees), but I have a clean record, am very active in a wide variety of campus activities, and all of my employers would give good references. That should give a at least a vague idea of my qualifications.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to answer any questions I could before they came up. Thanks for the help!

[irishlad2nv]

I am not from Hawaii, but have met some peeps from HPD over the past few years. Most officers with HPD are form Hawaii, which is to their advantage. Now, the disadvantage to you would be spending your money to actually fly there. A few months back, they were holding testing along the west coast, mainly the Portland Oregon area. If I were you, I would contact their recruiters to see if they are still doing that, so you don't have to spend so much money flying to Hawaii. Another thing you will have to realize is, that living in Hawaii, isn't exactly cheap either. Most places, such as the military in Hawaii, offer COLA (cost of living allowance), which I am sure HPD does not. I am sure there are plenty of departments in the US (stateside) that desperately need officers, and with you having a degree (soon), you can apply almost anywhere and have that advantage to you. Which ever you decide, good luck to you.

[Entre Nous]

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[Entre Nous]

Also there's an O.com member who's going through the Honolulu academy right now. Maybe you should talk to him.

[vicmackey]

I looked into hawaii a few years back. The more I looked the more scared I got. I make 45,000 a year in a place where milk costs abot $2 a gallon. Milk in hawaii will cost you 6$- $8 a gallon. That's just a cost of living example for you. Housing is crazy and you will never own a house on your police salary. I think HPD starts somewhere around $40,000. You Better check some cost of living calculators before you think about the move. Don't get me wrong. I would love to move to Hawaii. I was not willing to make the sacrafice because I have a daughter to take care of. It really isn't all that hard to find a police job anymore. There are a lot of good departments needing people. I'd think twice about going to hawaii.

[toasterlocker]

Also there's an O.com member who's going through the Honolulu academy right now. Maybe you should talk to him.

Do you have any idea which member this is or how I can track him down?

Thanks for all the great information. I'll definately keep in mind everything all of you have had to say. The cost of living issue has been a concern of mine, but I don't live a very "rich" lifestyle and I think I could handle it, given all the other benefits of working for the HPD.

If anyone else has anything to contribute, I would love to hear back from you. Thanks again!

[Entre Nous]

Glad you're still considering Honolulu!! The member who's going to their academy will PM you. Good luck and keep us posted.

[sbard]

Hawaii is a great place to live and work. But remember, it's an ISLAND!

If you haven't hung out on the island for a month or 2 (or 3) you might be a little surprised as to how much smaller it gets every month. Locals call it island fever. Many a person from the mainland hops over and then bails out after a year when they realize it's a different lifestyle.

A good comparison to look at for the cost of living is to look at living in Los Angeles or one of the beach cities here in California.

Also, be aware you'll be considered an outsider for a long time so you won't learn too much about where all the "local" deals are.

Just my experience from working in Hawaii on contracts off and on over the last few (20) some years.

mahalo 'bra

[toasterlocker]

Well folks, I think I'm going.

I have to call today or tomorrow to let them know for sure if I will be there.

Last time I talked to my dad he briefly mentioned that he and my mom didn't want me to go (at least not yet) but the conversation was cut short. I'll probably be giving my parents a call to let them know, and unless they can make a really good case to convince me not to, I will be going.

If anyone has any good suggestions on flights, I would love to hear it. Right now I'm just going to look at Travelocity, Hotwire and other stuff like that.

Thank you all for your input, it has really helped. I'll keep you all posted on how things go.

[stevisu]

Good stuff. I'll be there too for the 25th exam.

Try delta for your tickets they are cheaper then other carriers from where I am.

[MW1]

I am happy for you that you decided to consider HPD. I am a patrol officer here and the training is top notch.

But not to get you down, but morale here is at an extreme low. Our Chief wants to change our shifts from the 3/12 to 5/8. Our pay is pathetic compared to "mainland" departments although we are like somewhere about the 11th largest police department in the nation (about 2200 sworn officers!)

We have been reading the forums for a while, but felt the need to register to respond to your post. Any questions, just post.

[THENEWKID]

Please Help. How do I make a new thread?

[Entre Nous]

Go to Forums, open the forum you want to post in, and you'll see a button that says New Thread.

[THENEWKID]

I'm new to this. Didn't see a new Thread button. But anyways... Here is my spill:

Hello.

I am a new Applicant to the HPD. I read your post and have many questions. I hope this gets to somone for I am not really familiar how these online forums.

I read about morale and discontent with the HPD Police Chief. Is there going to be a huge shortage of officers on the island? I am concerned about the cost of living as well. HOw do officers afford to live on the island when housing is so expensive?

Also is the process of to the HPD recruitment better then the mainland? The problem? 3 openings, 100+ applicants, and a waiting list with 100+ people on it where I tested last.

I am happy that I am at the PHQ stage with the HPD, but also don;t want to have my hopes crushed either. For me, just being a police officer would make my day...all i want to do is to get in.

So my question is how/what can I do to make sure i have a good chance in getting qualified?

Thanks for your time.

[irishlad2nv]

I'm new to this. Didn't see a new Thread button. But anyways... Here is my spill:

Hello.

I am a new Applicant to the HPD. I read your post and have many questions. I hope this gets to somone for I am not really familiar how these online forums.

I read about morale and discontent with the HPD Police Chief. Is there going to be a huge shortage of officers on the island? I am concerned about the cost of living as well. HOw do officers afford to live on the island when housing is so expensive?

Also is the process of to the HPD recruitment better then the mainland? The problem? 3 openings, 100+ applicants, and a waiting list with 100+ people on it where I tested last.

I am happy that I am at the PHQ stage with the HPD, but also don;t want to have my hopes crushed either. For me, just being a police officer would make my day...all i want to do is to get in.

So my question is how/what can I do to make sure i have a good chance in getting qualified?

Thanks for your time.


Since this thread is is about 6 months old...START a new Thread, you most likely will not receive too may responses in here!

Just my .02 for ya.