Join the HPD Team

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For years, the Hilliard Division of Police has made a conscious effort to implement a community-oriented policing philosophy and build a unique bond with the people of Hilliard. We are more than your average police force. Not only do we play a role in protecting the city, we also strive to promote positive relationships within the community through our presence and engagement. We take pride knowing that our uniform is a beacon to the community as a friendly face and dependable resource. We are searching for someone who embodies the spirit of our vibrant city, can play an active role both in the department and in the community and can continue to make Hilliard one of the best places to work and live.

Apply now or click below for more information.

Questions? Contact the Human Resources Department

Colleen Lemmon, Chief People Officer & Human Resources Director
HR2@hilliardohio.gov

Shellie Sivert, HR Specialist
HR2@hilliardohio.gov

More Information

HPD Career Brochure

HPD Hiring Process

Police Officer Recruitment

Benefits

Paid training, opportunities for specialization, and advancement are just a few of the benefits which make Hilliard PD a great choice for anyone seeking a career in law enforcement.

COMPENSATION RATES FOR 2024HourlyAnnually
Academy$32.64 $67,891
Field Training$34.93$72,654
Field Training Completion$37.90$78,832
One Year Six Months$41.50$86,320
Two Years Six Months$46.06$95,804
Three Years Six Months$52.38$108,950

HPD may recognize past experience and certification to determine placement in the pay scale.

All sworn Hilliard Police personnel receive the following benefits:

 
Anthem Health Insurance
  • Group health insurance
  • Prescription Coverage
  • Vision and Dental Insurance
  • Eye exams and glasses/contacts
  • Dental contains orthodontic coverage

 

Life Insurance
  • Group life insurance in amount of $100,000
 
Working Hours
  • Patrol officers work five 8-hour shifts with two days off each week
  • 10 paid vacation days per year
  • 15 paid sick days per year
  • 10 paid holidays per year
  • 3 paid personal days per year
 
Seniority / Longevity Incentives
  • Annual service bonus after 5 years of service
  • Additional vacation days after each 5 years of service, up to 30 days
 
Educational Incentives
  • $4,000 annual tuition reimbursement for pursuing post-secondary degree
 
Additional Benefits
  • Paid court attendance
  • Overtime and Special Duty opportunities
  • Compensatory time Option
  • Night shift differential pay
  • Ohio Police & Fire Pension Plan with D.R.O.P. Option
  • All equipment and uniforms provided, including dry cleaning allowance

Career Advancement

At the Hilliard Police Department (HPD), officers have opportunities to specialize and develop within a chosen career path, and there are opportunities to promote into a supervisory position.

 
Specialized Units

While entry-level officers are assigned to patrol duty, the Hilliard Division of Police maintains a broad range of specialized units that will allow you to tailor your career to a specific area of interest:

  • Crime Prevention and Community Outreach
  • K9 Handler
  • Detective Bureau
  • Training Instructor*
  • Bike Patrol*
  • Traffic Safety
  • Crash Reconstruction Unit*

*Not full-time units. Duties are done concurrently to regular assignments.

 

Promotions

Promotional advancement is an option at HPD. The ranks of sergeant and lieutenant are attained by way of a competitive promotional process. Persons in these positions are covered by a Bargaining Unit contract. The ranks above Lieutenant are made by appointment, and are not part of the collective bargaining process.

Officers are eligible for promotion after three years of service as a sworn Hilliard police officer. Our rank structure is:

  • Chief of Police
  • Deputy Chief of Police
  • Lieutenant
  • Sergeant
  • Officer

Training

The Hilliard Division of Police sends recruits to basic training at the Columbus Police Academy. Academy training generally occurs during daytime hours and the recruit returns home at night. The academy training duration is about six months. Training is skill-based and focuses on a diverse curriculum of topics.

Following the academy, recruits must complete a 15-week field training program. During this time the recruit learns to do the job in the community with a certified training officer.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans enjoy additional benefits as they begin their careers as Hilliard police officers. In 2020, the Division 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.

Hilliard police has been awarded the HIRE Vets Medallion Program for its success in recruiting, employing, and retaining veterans.

Following the academy, recruits must complete a 15-week field training program. During this time the recruit learns to do the job in the community with a certified training officer.

Hiring Process

As a Hilliard police officer, you are expected to be a person of character. Only those who demonstrate our core values of integrity, commitment, cooperation and professionalism in their daily lives will have the opportunity to call themselves a Hilliard police officer.

The police hiring process is multi-phased and intensive, consisting of the following steps:

 
Specialized Units

While entry-level officers are assigned to patrol duty, the Hilliard Division of Police maintains a broad range of specialized units that will allow you to tailor your career to a specific area of interest:

  • Application
  • Written Examination
  • Preliminary Physical Fitness Test
  • Screening Committee Evaluation
  • Background Investigation
  • Polygraph/CVSA Examination
  • Final Interviews
  • Psychological, Medical, and Drug Testing

Candidates who successfully pass each of these phases may be recommended for hire.

 

QUALIFICATIONSREQUIREMENTS
AgeMust be at least 21 years of age on or before the date of appointment and cannot receive an original appointment after the age of 45.
EducationMust be a high school graduate or possess a GED.
LicenseMust possess a valid driver’s license at the time of appointment and maintain as a term and condition of continued employment.
CharacterMust be able to pass an extensive background investigation including criminal history, driving record, credit history, drug use, employment history, military service record, educational transcripts, and a polygraph / CVSA test conducted by HPD.
PhysicalFinal appointment is contingent upon the applicant passing a job-related medical examination which includes a drug screen and cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness testing. Vision with or without correction must be 20/20 in each eye. Must not be color-blind.

Failure to meet designated standards will result in elimination from appointment to the police service.

Immediate Disqualifiers:

While entry-level officers are assigned to patrol duty, the Hilliard Division of Police maintains a broad range of specialized units that will allow you to tailor your career to a specific area of interest:

  • Any felony conviction
  • Any first- or second-degree misdemeanor conviction within past five years
  • Dishonorable discharge from military service
  • Domestic violence conviction
  • Falsification or deception during hiring process
  • Driving history that includes an OVI conviction within the past six years or two or more moving violations with the past year

 

Drug History Involving:
  • Use or purchase of marijuana (other than prescribed medical marijuana) within two years of the date of written examination
  • Use or purchase of any drugs of abuse (other than marijuana or prescribed medications) within three (3) years or less from the date of written examination
  • Any sale, distribution, or manufacture of any controlled substance or contraband

 

Possible Disqualifiers:

The following is a list of behaviors/histories that may also disqualify an applicant, but the final decision will be made after completion of the background investigation:

  • Lesser degree misdemeanor conviction
  • Poor driving record
  • Poor work history
  • Arrest history
  • Previous warrants
  • Non-support of dependents
  • Less than honorable discharge from military service
  • Any behavior which demonstrates a lack of respect toward the law, or law enforcement officers
  • History of deceptive behavior
  • demeanor conviction within past five years
  • Dishonorable discharge from military service
  • Domestic violence conviction
  • Falsification or deception during hiring process
  • Driving history that includes an OVI conviction within the past six years or two or more moving violations with the past year
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