1. How can I get an application package?
2. What sort of qualifications do I need?
3. What are your educational requirements?
4. What if my education took place in another country?
5. Do I need post secondary education to become a police officer?
6. What sort of experience would make an applicant more competitive?
7. Can you explain the Visual Acuity Standards?
8. Where can I obtain more detailed information about your Medical Standards?
9. Do you accept applications from people residing outside of Canada?
10. What does the P.A.R.E. (Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation) involve and how can I prepare for it?
11. What if I have used drugs in the past, would this prevent me from applying?
12. Is knowledge of another language an asset?
13. How long does your application / selection process take?
14. Is the selection process the same if I am currently a serving member from another police service?
15. Is it possible to apply for a position in one of your specialty units? (i.e.: Forensic Unit)
16. How do I apply for an Information Technology position or any other civilian position within the Calgary Police Service?
17. Are the standards different for visible minorities?
18. Do I have to come to Calgary for testing and interviews?
19. How long is recruit training? Are recruits paid for training?
    
20. If I have been charged and convicted of a criminal offence am I eligible to apply?
21. I have been deferred from another police agency; can I apply to the Calgary Police Service?

1. How can I get an application package? TOP

Applications for the position of Police Constable can be obtained from our Website. Please see the "Apply Now" section for details on our application package. Applicants must print the application package from their computer and complete it by hand.

Application packages are also available at the Recruiting Unit office:

Recruiting Unit Office
Rocky Mountain Plaza
Suite 830
615 Macleod Trail S.E.
Calgary, AB
T2G 4Z8

Telephone 206-8483
Toll free: 1-866-CPS-HIRE

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an Information Session to obtain specific information regarding the Calgary Police Service, a career in policing, and expectations of our selection process.

Information regarding this topic can be located in the "Selection Process" portion of this Website, under Standards, Preferred Qualifications, and Additional Qualifications.

3. What are your educational requirements? TOP

Currently the Calgary Police Service does not have a minimum education requirement. However, the selection process is extremely competitive. Historically, competitive applicants will poses some form of post secondary education, this may include a certificate, diploma, degree or technical / trade related education. A competitive applicant will display a strong balance between education, life experience, work experience and a demonstrated commitment towards community involvement.

4. What if my education took place in another country? TOP

Education gained at an institution outside of Canada must be comparatively evaluated to Canadian standards. You will be required to submit educational transcripts with your application package.

5. Do I need post-secondary education to become a police officer? TOP

Currently the Calgary Police Service does not have a minimum education requirement. However, the selection process is extremely competitive. Historically, competitive applicants will possess some form of post-secondary education, which may include a certificate, diploma, degree or technical / trade related education. A competitive applicant will display a strong balance between education, life experience, work experience and a demonstrated commitment towards community involvement.

6. What sort of experience would make an applicant more competitive? TOP

Please refer to the "Preferred Qualifications" link for specific details.

7. Can you explain the Visual Acuity Standards? TOP

Our visual acuity standards are described in the "Selection Process" link and related "Medical Conditions" link. If you require further clarification, please record this information and contact your eye specialist.

8. Where can I obtain more detailed information about your Medical Standards? TOP

The Calgary Police Service Medical Standards information can be found under the related link "Medical Standards for Police Officer Recruits" located in the "Selection Process" portion of this Website. If you require further clarification, please record this information and contact your family doctor.

9. Do you accept applications from people residing outside of Canada? TOP

Applications will only be accepted from Canadian citizens or individuals who hold legal permanent residence status. Current serving police officers who are British Subjects are not exempt from the Canadian Immigration process.

An important part of the selection process is the background security investigation. At this stage an investigator conducts numerous interviews with references to determine if a candidate's personal history, traits and characteristics are suitable for a career in policing. People who are typically contacted for these interviews are past and present employers and colleagues, long-time friends, neighbours and landlords. It is essential that the investigator is able to access and accurately document a candidate's adult history.

This stage of the process is usually more difficult if you have lived most of your adult years outside Canada. However, we are prepared to invest the necessary resources if you are a strong applicant and we can obtain the relevant background information.

10. What does the P.A.R.E. (Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation) involve and how can I prepare for it? TOP

The P.A.R.E. is a timed six lap obstacle course that requires the candidate to run, jump, climb stairs, do push ups and sit-ups, and push and pull heavy weight. It must be completed within four minutes. The non-timed portion of the test requires the candidate to drag or carry a heavy bag for a measured length. Please see the related link in "Selection Process" for further details and testing locations.

11. What if I have used drugs in the past, would this prevent me from applying? TOP

Each candidate's experimentation is evaluated in totality, and on an individual basis. Our selection process is very thorough and includes several in-depth interviews, a polygraph examination and a background security investigation. Keep in mind that one of the criteria we evaluate our candidates on is life experience. When a candidate discloses illegal activity, we will discuss the incident or activity with you. The Recruiting Unit will assess the activity and a disposition will be determined. Complete disclosure throughout our process is crucial to a successful application. All applicants must be a minimum of three years clear of detected or undetected criminal activity. This requirement includes past drug use.

12. Is knowledge of another language an asset? TOP

Knowledge of another language is considered a preferred qualification. However, successful candidates must be fluent in English (written and spoken).

13. How long does your application / selection process take? TOP

There is no definitive answer to this question. The time it takes to successfully complete our selection process depends upon a number of variables factors. These include the timing of your application relative to scheduled Police Recruit Training Class dates, how complete your application is, and how competitive you are relative to other applicants. Another factor involved is your availability relative to our regularly scheduled testing dates and times throughout our selection process. On average, an application file with no identified issues of concern will be completed within four to five months from the date of successful testing.

14. Is the selection process the same if I am currently a serving member from another police service? TOP

Applicants who are currently serving members with other police services must contact the recruiting office to obtain a Personal Disclosure Form specific to current or previous serving police officers. Other than the Personal Disclosure Form, the selection process is identical for civilian and serving police applicants.

The Calgary Police Service will review a serving officer's qualifications and employment history on a case-by-case basis. Serving officers may be eligible for an elevated starting salary. This elevation is for pay purposes only and not an increase in rank, seniority or benefits.

15. Is it possible to apply for a position in one of your specialty units? (i.e.: Forensic Unit) TOP

The Calgary Police Service has over 100 specialty units exclusive to experienced sworn police officers. There is no direct hiring for these positions. In order to be eligible to apply for these positions, officers typically must have a minimum of three to five years of operational experience.

16. How do I apply for an Information Technology position or any other civilian position within the Calgary Police Service? TOP

The Calgary Police Service Recruiting Unit's mandate is the recruitment and selection of sworn police constables. If you are interested in a civilian position within our organization, you may contact the Civilian Employee Relations Unit at (403) 206-8480.

17. Are the standards different for visible minorities? TOP

The Calgary Police Service is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring decisions are based on selecting the most competitive applicants.

18. Do I have to come to Calgary for testing and interviews? TOP

The Recruiting Unit attends various career fairs and functions throughout Canada. Testing sessions are typically held in conjunction with these career fairs. Applicants will be required to attend Calgary for other stages of the selection process. Arrangements can be made to schedule the various stages in a short period of time, accommodating applicants and reducing travel costs.

19. How long is recruit training? Are recruits paid for training? TOP

The classroom portion of recruit training is six months in duration. If successful, officers are then partnered with a Field Training Officer for 12 weeks. During all of this training, officers receive 5th class constable pay rate.

20. If I have been charged and convicted of a criminal offence am I eligible to apply? TOP

The Calgary Police Service accepts applications from individuals who have been convicted of criminal offences as long as a pardon for the offence has been granted. It can take up to two years to receive a pardon.

21. I have been deferred from another police agency; can I apply to the Calgary Police Service? TOP

Individuals who have been deferred from other police agencies may apply to the Calgary Police Service. The Calgary Police Service will make a hiring decision based on our selection process.

(Updated: Dec 04 & 07 2007 - kg)
(Updated: Nov 07 2007 - kg)