FAQs • Fishers, IN • CivicEngage

What is the minimum age of retirement under PERF?: The minimum age of retirement under PERF is 20 years of service (with PERF) and 52 years of age. Example 1: If an officer is hired at 32 years old, he/she can retire at age 52 with full retirement benefits. Example 2: If an officer is hired at 21 years old, he/she can retire at 41 years old, but cannot collect retirement benefits until age 52.

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Police Recruitment

1. How many times per year do you test?: Depending on manpower needs we generally have a testing process once a year.

2. How long does the testing process take?: The testing process takes approximately 7 months to complete.

3. How many times is an applicant required to travel to Fishers during the process?: A local applicant must travel at least 3 times to Fishers during the testing process. If an applicant continues to the last step in the process, he/she would have to make 1 additional trip. (written exam, oral interview, polygraph, physical/psych) If an applicant lives out of state, we try our best to cut down the number of trips made to Fishers by combining tests on the same days or weekends.

4. How many officers do you hire every year?: The hiring of officers varies from year to year, depending on department budget and community needs.

5. What is the minimum age of retirement under PERF?: The minimum age of retirement under PERF is 20 years of service (with PERF) and 52 years of age. Example 1: If an officer is hired at 32 years old, he/she can retire at age 52 with full retirement benefits. Example 2: If an officer is hired at 21 years old, he/she can retire at 41 years old, but cannot collect retirement benefits until age 52.

6. Does the Fishers Police Department have their own academy?: No. Fishers Police Officers attend the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, Indiana for 14 weeks.

7. How long is the Field Training Program?: The Field Training Program is 16 weeks long.

8. Is the Field Training Program shortened for Lateral Officers?: Lateral Officers go through the same training as non-lateral officers. Depending on the experience of the lateral officer and success in the program, he/she may be released to solo patrol at an earlier stage of the FTO program.

9. Are Lateral Officers compensated for their experience?: Yes. Lateral Officers are compensated for their experience based on our 7-step salary scale.

10. What are the shift hours for the patrol officers?: The patrol officers work 12 hour shifts. Day shift hours are from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Night shift hours are 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.. They work 2 days on and 2 days off, and then every other Sunday.

11. What are the residency requirements for Fishers Police Officers?: Fishers Police Officers must reside in Hamilton County or a surrounding county.
Officers who reside in Hamilton County are given a take home car after successful completion of the FTO program.

12. What specialty positions are available?: SWAT team, K-9, D.A.R.E., Field Tech, Investigations, Accident Reconstructionist, Emergency Vehicle Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Motorcycle Unit, Hostage Negotiator, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Dive team

13. When can an officer be eligible for a specialty assignment?: When a specialty assignment becomes available, an officer must have at least 2 years sworn service with a police department to be eligible.

14. Do Fishers Police Officers have to purchase their own uniforms and equipment?: No. Uniforms and equipment are provided by the police department the first year. After the first year officers are given $900 per year to maintain their uniforms.