A career in policing is both challenging and rewarding. Many people have a desire to make a contribution to their community and to society and police work is their vocation.
The following information pertains to the hiring process by police services in Ontario and ARE NOT the entrance requirements for the Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley Police Foundations program.
According to the Police Services Act of Ontario, you must satisfy the following basic requirements for the position of police constable. You must be:
- A Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
- At least 18 years of age
- Physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position, having regard to your own safety and the safety of the public
- Of good moral character and habits
- A graduate of at lest four years of secondary school education or its equivalent
Other requirements of police applicants in Ontario are:
- Vision within acceptable standards: uncorrected visual activity should be at least 20/40 binocularly (both eyes open). Corrected vision acuity should be at least 20/20 binocularly. There are minimum requirements regarding refractive surgery, farsightedness (hyperopic), colour vision, depth perception and peripheral vision
- Hearing with acceptable standards, normal hearing at frequencies of 500 to 4000Hz measured by an audiometer
- Possess a current Standard First Aid Certificate and a current CPR certificate (Basic Rescuer Level) at the time of the hire
- Possess a valid Ontario Driver’s License, class G, with no more than 6 demerit points, permitting you to drive an automobile in Ontario with full driving privileges
- No criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted
- Pass a medical examination
Applicants to police services are tested with a Physical Readiness Evaluation Test for Police (PREP) or some other physical test and a number of written tests as part of the selection process. Applicants who have physical disabilities that prevent them from completing these tests will likely not be hired.
Here are some other things to think about when considering a career in policing.
The essential knowledge, skills and abilities which candidates must demonstrate before becoming a police officer include: Analytical Thinking; Self-Confidence; Communication; Flexibility and Valuing Diversity; Self-control; Relationship Building; Physical Ability and a willingness to always improve.
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