The Halton Regional Police Service re-established its 12-month Police Cadet Program in 2009 as an investment in the Service’s future. Applicants undergo a structured and comprehensive selection process, with the successful candidates participating in an in-Service training program, followed by a series of diverse assignments throughout the Service. The program is designed to provide learning opportunities for Cadets by enabling them to experience policing from the inside. This program also offers continual guidance and assessment in an effort to identify a Cadet's suitability for a policing career with the Halton Regional Police Service. As such, the intention of this program is to prepare Cadets for transition into the constable application process with this Service.

We are now accepting Cadet applications year-round.   If you are interested in becoming a Police Cadet, please apply now.

Requirements to Become a Police Cadet

Those applying for the position of Police Cadet with the Halton Regional Police Service must meet the following criteria to be considered in the selection process:

Minimum Requirements

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be in good physical and mental health and able to meet the physical, mental and medical requirements of the HRPS
  • Be of good moral character and habits, meaning being an individual other people would look upon as being trustworthy and having integrity
  • Have successfully completed at least four (4) years of secondary school education or equivalent (Note: Official transcripts and diplomas will be required)
  • Where education has been completed outside Canada, official proof of equivalency must be obtained. Both International and Canadian applicants may obtain educational equivalency assessments through one of these agencies:

International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
https://www.icascanada.ca/home.aspx
35 Harvard Road
P.O. Box 21001
Guelph, ON  N1G 4T3
1-800-321-6021

World Education Services Canada (WES Canada)
https://www.wes.org/ca/
45 Charles Street East, Suite 700
Toronto, ON M4Y 1S2
416-972-0070
Toll Free: 1-866-343-0070

Additional Requirements

The following are additional mandatory requirements to be considered for the position of police cadet:

  • A valid Class ‘G' Driver's Licence
  • A Standard First Aid Certificate and CPR Level C
  • Be physically fit.  Reach a minimum of Level 7 in the 20-Metre Shuttle Run and successfully complete the Police Physical Readiness Evaluation (PREP).
  • Meet vision standards of uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/40 binocularly, corrected visual acuity should be at least 20/20 binocularly, and with normal colour vision
  • Meet normal hearing standards
  • Pass a detailed background check that includes security clearance, credit and reference checks.

Police Cadet Desired Qualifications

The desired qualifications for a Police Cadet applicant are:

Desired Qualifications

  • Between the ages of 19-24 years of age
  • Recent post-secondary graduate or in the last semester of post-secondary education

Competencies of a Police Cadet

In addition to the minimum requirements, applicants for the position of Police Cadet must also possess certain essential competencies:

Essential Competencies

Resiliency:

The ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life events and the ability to retain perspective and cope after a stressful event.

Teamwork:

Works cooperatively with members of the work team.  Contributes to the development of a team environment where team members achieve established goals.

Communication:

Ability to demonstrate effective listening, understanding, verbal and written communication skills with a goal of de-escalation or reaching a common ground.

Problem Solving:

Identifies problems, implements solutions and evaluates the outcomes. Discovers new opportunities and solutions for problems using innovative thinking.

Leadership:

The action and ability to organize, influence, guide and motivate other people to reach a shared goal.

Inclusivity:

Ability to recognize the value of diversity and the capability to relate and work effectively in culturally diverse situations.

Local Competencies

Community Service Orientation:

Desire to help or serve others and the ability to focus efforts on meeting individual and group needs

Initiative:

Self-directed or self-motivated, and able to exercise initiative beyond what is expected or required on the job to improve outcomes or avoid problems

Work Organization:

Ability to minimize errors and maintain high standards of quality by developing and maintaining effective systems for organizing work and information

Cooperation:

Ability to demonstrate collaborative/team-oriented behaviour such as input seeking and information sharing with colleagues, other emergency services, community resources, etc.

Commitment to Learning:

Ability to maintain and enhance professional/technical knowledge and personal development by asking questions, taking courses, reading, networking with colleagues, specialists, and the community

Assertiveness:

Ability to use personal power or the power of the police constable's position appropriately to set expectations, challenge others, enforce rules, and direct others

Role of a Police Cadet

Individuals hired as Police Cadets with the HRPS will be paid members of the Service during their 12-month work experience program.  The program runs from May to May and over the course of the year, Cadets will be assigned various shifts, including days, nights and weekends. Cadet duties include but are not limited to:

Role of a Police Cadet

  • Work at an operational police district under the mentorship of an HRPS Coach or Mentor officer
  • Participate in patrol duty, front desk observations, court observations, traffic point duty, training opportunities
  • Perform duties related to crowd control at parades, festivals and community events and participate in crime prevention initiatives and special projects
  • Perform other duties as directed

Contact Information

For more information about the HRPS Police Cadet program, contact:

Email: CadetProgram@haltonpolice.ca