The City of Hilliard Division of Police has earned federal recognition for the second consecutive year for its efforts to recruit, employ and retain our nation’s veterans.
The organization is one of 839 recipients of the 2024 HIRE Vets Platinum Medallion Award, presented by the U.S. Department of Labor. About 43 percent of Hilliard police sworn employees are veterans.
HPD earned the prestigious platinum award after submitting an extensive application earlier this year demonstrating the department’s rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including tuition assistance programming for veterans.
Notably, in 2020, the department was granted approval by the Department of Veterans Affairs to operate a veterans training program. In this program, newly hired police officers who are eligible for Veterans Affairs educational benefits can enroll in HPD’s training program and receive VA educational funds on a monthly basis for 12 months following graduation from the police academy.
Five officers have completed the program since it was launched in 2020.
“We’re very proud to support veterans and their career goals, and recognize the value they bring to our workplace,” said Chief of Police Michael Woods. “Because of the work of our training division, veterans enjoy additional benefits as they begin their careers as Hilliard police officers.
Learn more about the HIRE Vets Medallion Program system at HIREVets.gov. See the awardee map at HIREVets.gov/Awardees.
To learn more about a career as a Hilliard police officer, visit WearTheHPDBadge.org.
