Our Tradition, Your Future

When you join the Calgary Police Service, you become a key player in an organization where innovation and progress are tradition, and opportunities are unlimited.

Novel ideas, new technology and fresh approaches are embraced in the enterprising history of the Service.

The HAWC1 helicopter, Canada’s first dedicated municipal policing helicopter, is an excellent example.

Wanting quicker response times to urgent incidents, Calgary became the first police service in Canada to have an “eye in the sky” when HAWC1 took flight July 16, 1995. This helicopter, equipped with ever-improving technology, can respond to most crime scenes within city limits in 90 seconds.

Many of the new ideas undertaken by the Calgary Police Service start at the grass roots of the organization and take off from there. The tradition of innovation goes back decades and touches many areas of policing.

For instance, in 1971 the Calgary Police Service wanted more evidence to conclusively link a murder suspect to the victim’s body. Knowing the murder victim had been bitten, members of the Service asked the suspect if he would volunteer dental moulds of his bite pattern. The suspect agreed. It was accepted in court that each person has a distinct bite pattern and the Calgary Police Service earned the first “bite” conviction in North America.

Also in 1971, officers with the CPS took part in the first course ever held in Canada on drug control.

Recognizing the importance computers would play in policing, the Calgary Police Service became the first police agency in the country to automate finger print storage. This leading edge technology, called the Automated Finger Print Identification System (AFIS) was launched in June 1986 and saw Calgary become the hub for a network of finger print terminals across Western Canada.

Jump ahead to October 10, 1995, the Calgary Police Service became the first major Canadian city with a female chief when Christine Silverberg moved into the top position.

Offering a multitude of opportunities to officers, some of the specialized units within the Service have also earned recognition for their innovative work.

In 1997, the Cultural Resources Unit became the first police unit in the province to win the Alberta Human Rights Award for "hav(ing) made outstanding contributions to the understanding and acceptance of human rights in Alberta."

This was also the year Calgary played host to the World Police/Fire Games and over 8,700 athletes from more than 45 countries.

Launching an e-learning system to help Service members manage and continue their learning throughout their careers also puts the Calgary Police Service at the forefront of innovation. The system will link to educational institutions offering related post-secondary courses, and other content will continually be created and added, ensuring members have the learning opportunities they choose, when they want them.

These are only a few examples of fresh approaches to policing and the opportunities available with the Calgary Police Service. You have the opportunity to be a part of this innovative tradition, earn over $40,000 a year to start, and climb to over $62,000 after five years.

As one of Canada’s largest policing services, there are opportunities for promotion, personal growth and specialization. Choosing a stable and rewarding career is in your hands. Excitement is guaranteed.

If there is one certainty in the years ahead, it is that the Calgary Police Service will explore all boundaries for better policing, with ideas from people like you, and continue its tradition as an innovative employer.

Check us out to see how our tradition can be your future.

For more information about life in Calgary, visit the City of Calgary and Calgary Advantages Websites.

For more information, contact the Recruiting Unit at (403) 206-8483 or attend one of the Monthly Information Sessions held by the Recruiting Unit.