FAQ

• 20 years of age or older
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license
• U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien or American national
• Eligible to carry and/ or possess a firearm under state and federal laws; (No felony conviction, No misdemeanor conviction for a crime of violence, and no illegal drug conviction).

***This is not all-inclusive, and is intended only as a general guideline. Review additional guidelines below***

$76,008 annually (as of July 1, 2024)

As a civil service, full-time position, this position comes with the following BENEFITS and associated deductions:

• Pay Raises: Pay raises are negotiated by the respective union for this position. This position is part of bargaining unit 12, State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers. 
• Paid Vacation Time: Employees start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire!  14 hours are earned after a full month of service which means 21 days per year!
• Paid Sick Leave Time: Employees start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire!  14 hours are earned after a full month of service which means 21 days per year!
• Paid Holidays: The County recognizes 13 holidays per year as well as General Election Day  every other year.
• Retirement: This position is eligible to participate in the State sponsored defined benefits retirement plan. The State of Hawaii Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) is the current retirement plan which requires employees to contribute a portion of their earnings to the retirement plan. Currently, most employees must contribute 8% of their pay to the retirement system.  However there are exceptions, for example Fire Fighters contribute 12.2 to 14.2%.  Please see the ERS website at https://ers.ehawaii.gov/members/active for more information.
• Paid Health Insurance: Effective September 1, 2024, the County will cover the full premium and administrative costs for employees enrolled in the Kaiser Standard HMO or HMSA 75/25 PPO health plans, whether single, two-party, or family coverage. For enrollment in any other State-sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plans, the County will contribute a portion of the premiums. These benefits are managed through the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF). For current employee contribution rates, please visit the EUTF website at https://eutf.hawaii.gov/.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Employees can increase their take-home pay by having the County deduct the cost of health care premiums, medical and dependent care expenses before payroll taxes are withheld.
• Group Life Insurance: The County provides a free life insurance policy (currently worth $38,505) for active employees for those employees who pass away while employed. For more information, go to the EUTF website https://eutf.hawaii.gov/health-life-insurance-providers/securian/active-benefits/ for more information. Age reductions apply and coverage decreases beginning at age 65.
• Deferred Compensation (IRC Section 457 Plan): Employees are eligible to join the State of Hawaii Island Savings Deferred Compensation Plan and defer portions of their income taxation on retirement savings into future years. Please refer to the Island Savings website at https://islandsavings.preparewithpru.com/index.html for more information.

PLEASE NOTE: Benefits are subject to legislative and negotiated changes.

• $3.60 per hour for Standards of Conduct
• $.55 per hour for Night Differential

Other differentials vary: 5-25% of base hourly rate.

(Illegal Substance Use / Possession)

• Conviction Unsuitable
• Involved in Illegal Sales / Trade Within 5 years
• Use of any Illegal Drug other than Marijuana Within 5 years
• Marijuana use or possession Within the last year

(Applicable to employees who may operate vehicles as part of employment)

• Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant Within 3 years
• Moving Violations (Example Speeding) 3 or more within 3 years
• Driver’s License Suspension Within 3 years
• Excessive speed conviction, racing, reckless driving Within the last year

• Felony Conviction Unsuitable
• Misdemeanor / Crime of Violence Unsuitable

Conviction which involved injury or threat to a person. Assault, Abuse of a Family or Household Member, Terroristic Threat. 707-712(1)(2), 707-712.5, 707-714, 707-717, 709-904, 709-906, 710-1026, 711-1101(1)(a&c), 711-1106(1)(a&b), and 712-1248(1)(d) HRS.

• Felony arrest (non-conviction) Within 5 years
• Other Misdemeanor Conviction Within 3 years
• Petty Misdemeanor Conviction Within 2 years

The Kaua’i Police Department (KPD) requires qualified Police Services Officer applicants to have a minimum level of physical readiness in order to perform the essential physical functions of the job. To ensure that its police officers can safely perform those physical tasks, all qualified applicants will be required to undergo a Physical Readiness Standards Test (PRST) which will involve the following 6 physical fitness tests:

Agility run: This measures the ability to change direction while sprinting. The test consists of sprinting while dodging around obstacles (traffic cones) over a 180-foot course. 19.8 seconds

Bench press test: This measures the absolute strength of the upper body. The test consists of lying on a bench and pushing free weight in a vertical manner parallel to the body. Push 75% of your body weight.

Sit up test: The measure of trunk muscular endurance is very important to job function, overall physical performance, and the avoidance of injury. The test consists of the maximum number of sit ups performed in sixty seconds. 27 continuous reps in 60 seconds.

300 meter run: This measures anaerobic power or the ability to make an intense burst of effort for a short time period or distance. The test consists of running 300 meters as fast as possible. The maximum time allowed is 77 seconds.

Push up test: This measures the muscular endurance of the upper body. The test consists of doing as many pushups continuously from the front leaning rest position with no time limit. 27 continuous reps no time limit.

1.5 mile run: This measures aerobic power or cardiovascular endurance, the ability to sustain rhythmic movement of large muscle groups for a period of time. The test consists of running/walking 1.5 miles as fast as possible. The maximum time allowed is 19 minutes 16 seconds.

These standards and readiness tips can be viewed in further detail by reviewing Physical Readiness Handbook for Applicants and Incumbents.