Hattiesburg Police & Fire Academy

07/24/2026

The path to becoming a Hattiesburg police officer begins with high-quality training built to prepare recruits for the realities of serving their community.

Applications are now open for the Hattiesburg Police Department’s next academy recruit class. Throughout the academy, recruits receive comprehensive classroom instruction, hands-on training and practical experience designed to develop the knowledge, judgment, discipline and skills needed to become confident, capable officers.

Our instructors are committed to preparing every recruit to meet a high standard of professionalism and service. From physical fitness and defensive tactics to law, emergency response, communication and decision-making, each phase of training is designed to help recruits become the very best officers they can be.

Applications are open through Aug. 7, 2026.

Learn more and apply at www.hburgacademy.com

12/04/2024

The application phase for the next Fire Recruit Class is currently open until December 31.

The starting salary for a Hattiesburg Firefighter is between $40,000 and $43,000, depending on education. The salary for a recruit during a Recruit Class is $35,000, with a change in salary effective upon graduation.

To qualify, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a United States citizen
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Have no felony arrests or other serious criminal activity
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Be a registered voter in his/her current county/city of residence
- Be of good moral character
To apply, visit https://www.hburgacademy.com/apply-to-fire-academy
​
Additional benefits include:
- Attending The University of Southern Mississippi or William Carey University at no cost to sworn personnel.
- Enrollment in the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi.
- Diversity of upward trajectory depending on career interests and professional development.
- Access to physical fitness equipment at fire stations and the Academy.
- Investments in professional development and training opportunities, including rope rescue, swift water rescue, smoke diver, and EMT.

Upon application, recruit hopefuls must pass a Physical Ability Test (January 11), followed by the Civil Service Exam (January 18).

After successful completion of the selection process and the Hattiesburg Fire Training Academy, the responsibilities of a Hattiesburg Firefighter include answering a variety of calls. This job goes above and beyond responding to fire emergencies, and it can be a challenging and rewarding career.

07/22/2024

The application phase for our next fire academy class, slated to begin in October, closes today.

The starting salary for a Hattiesburg Firefighter is between $40,000 and $43,000, depending on education. The salary for a recruit during a Recruit Class is $30,000, with a change in salary effective upon graduation.

To apply, visit https://bit.ly/applytohfdacademy

​Additional benefits include:
- Attending The University of Southern Mississippi or William Carey University at no cost to sworn personnel.
- Enrollment in the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi.
- Diversity of upward trajectory depending on career interests and professional development.
- Access to physical fitness equipment at fire stations and the Academy.
- Investments in professional development and training opportunities, including rope rescue, swift water rescue, smoke diver, and EMT.

Upon application, recruit hopefuls must pass a Physical Ability Test (August 3), followed by the Civil Service Exam (August 10).

05/15/2024

Yesterday, the application phase for the next Fire Recruit Class opened.

The starting salary for a Hattiesburg Firefighter is between $40,000 and $43,000, depending on education. The salary for a recruit during a Recruit Class is $30,000, with a change in salary effective upon graduation.

To qualify, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a United States citizen
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Have no felony arrests or other serious criminal activity
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Be a registered voter in his/her current county/city of residence
- Be of good moral character

To apply, visit https://bit.ly/applytohfdacademy
​
Additional benefits include:
- Attending The University of Southern Mississippi or William Carey University at no cost to sworn personnel.
- Enrollment in the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi.
- Diversity of upward trajectory depending on career interests and professional development.
- Access to physical fitness equipment at fire stations and the Academy.
- Investments in professional development and training opportunities, including rope rescue, swift water rescue, smoke diver, and EMT.

Upon application, recruit hopefuls must pass a Physical Ability Test (August 3), followed by the Civil Service Exam (August 10).

05/02/2024

Applications will drop soon!

Visit hburgacademy.com to learn more or fill out our interest form to be notified when applications are open.

08/16/2023

We are currently accepting applications for the next Police Academy - Recruit Class #43.

To apply today --> https://bit.ly/applytohpd2023
To chat with a recruiter --> Visit https://www.hburgacademy.com/ and click TALK TO A RECRUITER.

Notes & Benefits
• The starting salary is $50,000 - $53,000 per year, depending on education level.
• All academy recruits will receive a salary of $35,000, and it will be adjusted upon graduation.
• Deadline to apply is Friday, October 13 at 4:30 p.m.
• PT Exam will be Saturday, October 21 at 8 a.m.
• Civil Service Exam will be Saturday, October 28 at 8 a.m.

Additional benefits include:
• Attending The University of Southern Mississippi or William Carey University at no cost to sworn personnel.
• Enrollment in the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi.
• Diversity of upward trajectory depending on career interests and professional development.
• Access to physical fitness centers at both the Academy and state-of-the-art Public Safety Complex.
• Investments in professional development and training opportunities, with raises for meeting professional development benchmarks.

To apply today --> https://bit.ly/applytohpd2023
To chat with a recruiter --> Visit https://www.hburgacademy.com/ and click TALK TO A RECRUITER.

04/05/2023

We are into WEEK THREE of the Hattiesburg Fire Academy and this class is hanging on strong!

This week, they are walking through the HAZMAT chapter - which includes both skills-based and classroom instruction.

03/31/2023

After 25 years of service, Lt. Harris Tapp is hanging up his duty weapon and belt!

While he has served in a variety of positions and divisions within the Hattiesburg Police Department, he's spent the last several years as a training instructor for the police academy.

We're grateful for his leadership, commitment to sharing insightful information and wisdom with our recruits and his dedication to the job. We're grateful to him and his family, and we look forward to watching him shine as a rookie retiree.

Congrats, Tapp!

03/22/2023

Join us in congratulating these 12 recruits on beginning their first week with our Fire Instructors!

This week, they began their 12-week journey to being a Hattiesburg Firefighter. Stay tuned as we join them throughout their time at the academy to document knowledge gained, skills practiced and certifications earned.

03/03/2023

Training doesn't end once your time as a recruit is complete. It's a continued effort, a commitment to building and expanding skills so that you are prepared for anything you might encounter on the job.

Last week, our crews with the Hattiesburg Fire Department spent several days training specifically on ladder skills. Throwing as a team and individually - because both are possible with each call.

For the first part of this video, Lt. Zack Barrett goes over tips for throwing a ladder on your own... on concrete. Then several of our firefighters try their hand at a variety of those techniques.