Application Requirements

• At least 21 years of age (and not older than 39) by the date of hire
• Possess a valid Driver's License at the time of hire
• Never convicted of a felony or domestic battery
• Of good moral character
• High school graduate or GED equivalent
• Must pass all testing established by the Hammond Police Department
• U.S. Citizen
• Must submit to Voice Stress Analysis test(s)
• Must possess the strength and agility to perform routine law enforcement duties
• Must submit to fingerprinting and a photograph taken by the Department
• No dishonorable discharge from military service
• Must submit to psychological examinations and an interview with a clinical psychologist

An applicant who has engaged in criminal activity may be rejected regardless of whether they were ever prosecuted, convicted, or acquitted.

Evaluations Used in the Police Testing Process

Evaluations that may be used include, but are not limited to:

• Physical Agility Testing
• Competitive Written Entry-Level Examination
• Oral Interview with the Hammond Police Interview Board
• Oral Interview with the Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police

Applicant Information & Testing Schedule

Information about each step of the hiring process will be provided in a clear and straightforward manner. Candidates may contact Hiring Coordinator Candice Porter with any questions regarding the process at (219) 852-6329.

Date	Event
Wednesday, July 29 or Thursday, July 30, 2026	Physical Agility Test
August 1, 2026	Written Examination
August 10 – 14, 2026	1st Oral Interviews
August 17 – 21, 2026	2nd Oral Interviews
August 28, 2026	Final Eligibility List

Evaluation of the Hiring Process

The Hammond Police Department hiring process consists of four primary evaluations. Each evaluation is mandatory, and all components must be successfully completed to continue in the process. Several evaluations are pass/fail, and failure of any required component will remove the applicant from further consideration.

Evaluation Scoring Summary

• Physical Agility Test — pass/fail
• Written Examination — pass/fail, minimum score of 70% required
• First Oral Interview — pass/fail; at least 50% of 25 available points
• Second Oral Interview — pass/fail; at least 50% of 10 available points
• Final Ranking — applicants ranked by combined interview scores plus any Additional Qualification Points

Additional Qualification Points (max 2 total)

Category	How Points Are Earned
Military Service	Up to 2 pts for qualifying active-duty or reserve service with an Honorable Discharge
College Credit Hours	120 hrs = 2.0 · 90 hrs = 1.5 · 60 hrs = 1.0 · 30 hrs = 0.5
Law Enforcement Academy Certification	Up to 2 pts for a completed Police Officer Training program through a Law Enforcement Academy.
Hammond Residency	Up to 2 pts for legal Hammond residents (proof required)
Bilingual Ability	1 pt, tested on speaking ability

Maximum 2 points total per candidate -- applicants cannot receive credit for all five components.

Eligibility List

The Hammond Police Department will establish an Eligibility List for all qualified applicants no later than August 28, 2026. This Eligibility List will remain in effect until the Board of Public Works and Safety, for good cause, determines that the existing list should be extended or voided and a new list created.

Applicant scores compiled from all evaluations will form the basis of the Eligibility List. Rankings will be listed in descending order, from the highest to the lowest passing score.

This is a highly competitive process, and applicants earn their position on the Eligibility List through their own merit. The Department will make every reasonable effort to assist applicants throughout the process should they encounter difficulties. However, all testing components are conducted on fixed dates that cannot be changed or supplemented. Applicants are strongly encouraged to make the necessary arrangements in advance to ensure full availability.

Serious consideration for employment requires full cooperation and adherence to the established schedule. Applicants must appear on the assigned dates and arrive on time. Late arrivals will not be admitted.

All candidates who successfully complete and pass all required components of the process will be notified by mail of their standing on the Eligibility List.

Application Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit the large application along with all required supporting documents only after they have successfully passed both the Physical Agility Test and the Written Examination.

All materials must be submitted to the Police Personnel and Training Office on the date assigned to the applicant, prior to the Oral Interview.

Please note: all documents submitted to the Hammond Police Department become the property of the Hammond Police Department and will not be returned.

Submission of Application Materials

The completed application and all required documents must be returned to the Police Personnel and Training Office on the date assigned to you, prior to your Oral Interview.

Please note: all documents submitted to the Hammond Police Department become the property of the Hammond Police Department and will not be returned.

• Copy of Birth Certificate
• Copy of Valid Driver's License
• Copy of Social Security Card
• Copy of High School Diploma or GED Certificate
• Transcript of High School Grades with original seal by school – Transcripts may be mailed to our office at:
  Personnel & Training
  Hammond Police Department
  509 Douglas Street
  Hammond, IN 46320
• Copy of College Degree, if applicable
• Transcript of College grades with original school seal, if applicable
• Copy of military discharge and service record (DD-214), if applicable
• Copy of Law Enforcement Academy Transcripts and Diploma, if applicable

Post-Eligibility List Hiring Process

Once the Eligibility List is established and a vacancy occurs, the applicant with the highest ranking will be notified and advised of the vacancy. At that time, the hiring process will begin. Candidates will be required to successfully complete the following:

• Fingerprinting
• Photograph
• Drug Screen
• Background Investigation
• Voice Stress Analysis Evaluation
• Psychological Evaluation
• Physical Examination
• Interview and acceptance by the local Pension Board
• Approval from the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS)
• Academy Physical Agility Standards — All applicants scheduled to attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy or the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy must pass the Academy Physical Agility Standards before their date of hire and again before start of their academy session.