The Calgary Police Service selection process is a fair and equitable competition that results in the best candidates being offered employment. Applicants are processed on an ongoing basis throughout the year in an effort to identify a qualified applicant pool.

The amount of time required to complete all stages varies according to the needs of the Service, number of recruit classes and anticipated start dates.

Owing to the competitive nature of the process, applicants are not given specific counseling on how to improve their chances for selection in the future.

The stages of selection are:

Application Package

Written Testing

PARE (Physical Ability Readiness Evaluation)

Screening Interview

Panel Interview

Pre-employment Polygraph Examination

Psychological Testing and Assessment

Security Background Investigation

Selection Committee

Occupational Medical

Stage 1 - Application Package TOP

Do not submit your application if you are not at least three years clear of any detected or undetected criminal activity.

Employment applications are screened to ensure completeness and that minimum qualifications have been met. If these requirements are met, the applicant may be scheduled to write the Police Applicant Tests.

Preliminary security and background checks will be completed on receipt of applications at the discretion of the Recruiting Unit. Applications may be rejected at this stage even though basic qualifications have been met.

The application package must include the following items:

1. Completed Application Form
   
   
   • and the Experienced Addendum (for experienced officers only)


2. Completed Personal Disclosure Form
   
   
   • This questionnaire covers every aspect of your life. The questions cover any detected or non-detected criminal activity committed by an applicant. The Calgary Police Service is aware that people make mistakes, mature at different rates and change their behaviour from childhood to adult life.
   
   
   
   • Full disclosure must be made during this stage, any discrepancy between this document and the following polygraph examination may result in a lifetime disqualification from the Calgary Police Service. A File Manager will review this document.



3. Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation certificate
   
   
   • The Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation (PARE) is a job related physical ability test that is designed to simulate a critical incident where a police officer chases controls and apprehends a suspect. The standards for males and females are identical, using an eighty-pound weight for the push-pull exercise and a one hundred pound weight for the bag carry. The time allotted to successfully complete this evaluation is four minutes or less.
   
   
   
   • Upon passing, a PARE certificate will be issued that is valid for six months. If the certificate expires during the selection process, the applicant will be required to be re-tested. Failure to maintain or update PARE certification will result in the applicant being disqualified from employment.
   
   
   
   • Applicants may be unable to obtain a PARE test in some provinces. In order to accommodate these applicants, the Calgary Police Service will accept applications without a completed PARE if the applicant resides in a province where testing is not available. These applicants are requested to mark the top portion of the front page of their application with "PARE Test Not Available". These applicants must be prepared to complete the PARE as soon as testing is available in their area, or arrange to have PARE testing completed during their first trip to Calgary, prior to an interview.
   
   
   
   • PARE testing locations.
   
   
   



4. Birth Certificate and/or Canadian Citizenship or Legal Permanent Resident Documentation



5. A Driving Record Abstract for the last three years



6. Vision Report - must be completed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist



7. Social Insurance Number or documented proof of S.I.N. from Revenue Canada



8. Pardon documentation (if applicable)

Employment applications are screened to ensure completeness and that minimum qualifications have been met. If these requirements are met, the applicant may be scheduled to write the Police Applicant Tests.

Preliminary security and background checks will be completed on receipt of applications at the discretion of the Recruiting Unit. Applications may be rejected at this stage even though basic qualifications have been met.

Stage 2 - Written Testing TOP

Individuals wishing to test must contact the Recruiting Unit at (403) 206 - 8483 to pre-register. The applicant will be responsible for booking a testing date.

The Calgary Police Service uses two written tests in the selection process (see Sample Testing):

Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test (APCAT)

Prior to the start of the exam, applicants are given 30 minutes to review material relevant to the memory recall portion of this exam. The applicant will then write the APACT, which is a two hour and 15 minute multiple-choice exam designed to test the applicant's cognitive abilities. No pre-study material will be provided.

Alberta Communication Test (ACT)

The portions of the ACT that police applicants must take are designed to assess one's ability to communicate in writing in English. In particular, the test focuses on vocabulary, spelling, and English grammar.

The test is comprised of 134 multiple-choice questions. It will take approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes to complete (including instructions and breaks).

The ability to communicate in writing is something that can be improved over time with proper instruction and plenty of practice. You may consider reviewing English grammar rules, as found in a typical grade 12 text book (we do not recommend any particular book for this purpose – check with your local library or any good bookstore). Developing vocabulary and spelling ability takes time. Reading well-written contemporary material (e.g., newspaper articles, magazines, etc.) to develop your vocabulary, and practicing spelling words from this material, are some of the things that you may choose to do to prepare for the ACT.

The ACT includes questions that measure three different areas: (1) vocabulary; (2) spelling skills; and (3) English grammar. Following are 12 sample questions that are similar to the questions found in the test . After each question, the best response is identified along with a brief rationale.

Testing Results

Test results will be mailed to applicants within two weeks of the testing date. Successful applicants will be advised of the next step in the selection process.

Applicants who are unsuccessful in the APCAT or ACT will not be considered by the CPS or any other Alberta municipal police service for re-testing for three months from the date of testing. The ACT and APCAT are provincial tests utilized and shared by all Alberta municipal police services. Both tests are valid for 5 years from the date they were written.

Stage 3 - Screening Interview TOP

Applicants will be contacted by a File Manager to arrange a one-on-one interview. The purpose of this interview is to discuss in detail the Personal Disclosure Form as well as providing guidance and setting out expectations of the selection process.

The applicant will be advised immediately of the interview results.

Stage 4 - Panel Interview TOP

Three sworn members from various units of the Calgary Police Service will interview the applicant. The interview will be conducted in a Behaviour Descriptive Interview Format. Questions will be formed around the "competencies desirable for police officers" in the Calgary Police Service. There will also be a review of other information contained within your application package. The interview will last approximately one hour.

Preparation is a key to a successful interview. Some tips can be found here.

The applicant will be advised immediately of the interview results. Successful applicants will proceed in the selection process. Applicants who are unsuccessful at the interview stage will be ineligible to proceed in the selection process at this time. A letter will be provided outlining the ineligibility period. Suggestions for improvement may be provided to unsuccessful applicants.

Stage 5 - Pre-employment Polygraph Examination TOP

A certified polygraph examiner approved by the Calgary Police Service will administer the pre-employment polygraph test. The examination is lengthy and those scheduled to test will be given specific instructions prior testing.

If an applicant has had a pre-employment polygraph within the last 12 months, the applicant must notify their file manager as they may not be required to test again.

Stage 6 - Psychological Testing and Assessment TOP

Each applicant is required to take a battery of psychological tests. A psychologist approved by the Calgary Police Service will evaluate completed psychological tests, which will assist in determining suitability for employment as a police officer. Results remain the property of the Calgary Police Service and will not be disclosed to the applicant.

Stage 7 - Security Background Investigation TOP

A thorough security background investigation will be completed on applicants who have successful pre-employment polygraph examinations. This will include, but is not limited to:

• Employment and character reference check.
• Credit check.
• Security clearance check.
• Police Information Systems check.

Applicants will also be asked to provide copies of transcripts from post-secondary education and copies of job performance evaluations. Results of the checks will not be released and remain the sole property of the Calgary Police Service.

Stage 8 - Selection Committee TOP

The Selection Committee is comprised of senior officers of the Calgary Police Service. Applicant files are presented to the committee for review and consideration. Applicants do not attend this stage of selection. The committee selects the most suitable and best-qualified applicants. Applicants are advised by letter if they are successful or unsuccessful at this stage. Successful applicants will be considered for placement in future recruit classes.

A conditional offer of employment will be sent to each applicant selected for recruit class. Upon return of the signed offer, the applicant is booked for an occupational medical.

Stage 9 - Occupational Medical TOP

A condition of employment with the Calgary Police Service is the successful completion of the occupational medical, conducted by the Occupational Health provider for the City of Calgary. In order to be employed by the Calgary Police Service, the Occupational Health Physician must approve each applicant.

Medical Standards for Police Officer Recruits

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