The City of Hilliard Division of Police is among the law enforcement agencies selected to participate in a statewide pilot program aimed at increasing diversity in the workforce.
The College to Law Enforcement Pathway Program will connect criminal justice programs from Ohio colleges and universities to law enforcement agencies, effectively creating a pipeline for college students to become officers.
Central State University and Cedarville University are the first universities to participate in the program. Students from both institutions have attended ride-alongs with HPD officers. Additionally, HPD supervisors have attended job fairs and given presentations to the schools.
Upon graduation, students are guaranteed to be considered for a position in participating law enforcement agencies with a modified application process.
“We want to attract the best of the best to serve the City of Hilliard, and we know increased diversity is important in developing community trust,” said Chief of Police Eric Grile. “This exciting program allows us to promote HPD to students across the state who may have not known about us. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
The program is organized by the new Ohio Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment, which was recently established by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and is housed within the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
To learn more about becoming a Hilliard police officer, visit WearTheHPDBadge.com.
