Police Officers

Minimum Requirements

Follows are the minimum requirements to be considered for the position of police constable as outlined in the Police Services Act:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position
• 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.

Additional Requirements

Follows are additional requirements to be considered for the position of police constable:

• Possess a valid OACP certificate (Fitness Log and Medical Examination Package if required)
• Possess a valid Class ‘G' Driver's Licence with no more than six (6) demerit points
• Possess a Standard First Aid Certificate and CPR Certificate (Basic Rescuer Level C)
• Not have a criminal conviction(s) for which a pardon(s) has/have not been granted
• Have vision within acceptable standards:
  • Uncorrected visual acuity - at least 20/40 (6/12) binocularly (both eyes open)
  • Corrected visual acuity - at least 20/20 (6/6) binocularly
  • There are minimum requirements regarding refractive surgery, farsightedness (hyperopia), colour vision, and peripheral vision. Laser surgery and Intra-Ocular lenses are acceptable, but applicants must meet specific standards
• Hearing is acceptable if the applicant is able to hear tones at the following frequencies and related decibel levels. Candidates may also be required to undergo a speech recognition test as part of their hearing assessment.
  • Four-frequency average (500, 1000, 2000, 3000 Hz) of 25 dB HL
  • Thresholds at none of these single frequencies shall exceed 35 dB HL and thresholds at 4000 Hz shall not exceed 45 dB HL
• Applicants will be required to partake in a physical fitness assessment (PREP Assessment)

Additional information on requirements

For more information regarding vision, speech, and hearing standards, and medical requirements for candidates, please see the documents below:

2.01 Orientation and Pre-test Guide May 2017 English

2.01 Orientation and Pre-test Guide May 2017 French

7.01 Self Assess Medical Info August 2017 English

7.01 Self Assess Medical Info Sept 2017 French

Essential Competencies

• Analytical thinking: ability to analyze situations and events in a logical way and to organize parts of a problem in a systematic way
• Self-confidence: belief in abilities and judgment and a recognition of personal limitations and development needs
• Communication: ability to demonstrate effective listening, understanding, verbal and written communication skills
• Flexibility/valuing diversity: ability to adapt to a variety of situations and to work effectively with a wide cross-section of the community representing diverse backgrounds, cultures, and socio-economic circumstances
• Self-control: ability to keep emotions under control and to restrain negative actions when provoked or when working under stressful conditions
• Relationship-building: ability to develop and maintain a network of contacts, both inside and outside the police service
• Achievement orientation: desire for continuous improvement in service or accomplishments
• Medical/physical skills and abilities: job-related medical/physical skills and abilities, including vision, hearing, motor skills, cardiovascular endurance, and upper-body strength

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: the 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