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Experienced Officer

experienceEligibility

To be eligible as an Exemption (experienced) candidate, an applicant must:

  • Be a current serving Regular member of a Canadian police force whose training and standards are equivalent to those of a B.C. Municipal police force,
  • Have been a serving member of a Canadian police force within the last 36 months, and
  • Possess knowledge skills and experience at least equivalent to that of the British Columbia Peace Officer's Basic training program.

The process:

1- Request for Application
In writing with resume and cover letter which demonstrates how the candidate meets or exceeds the basic requirements.

2- Submission of Complete Application Package
MUST include all requested documents as outlined in the application package. Incomplete packages will not be processed.

3- Review of Application Package
By members in the Human Resources Department.

4- BC Provincial Exemption Exam*

5- Physical testing
P.O.P.A.T (Police Officer's Physical Ability Test) and Lifestyle Evaluation. The P.O.P.A.T. is a demanding, anaerobic physical test which must be completed in under four minutes and 15 seconds. Click here to see the POPAT course layout.

6- Psychological Testing
Applicants are required to attend an identified Victoria Police selected psychologist office for an interview and written testing.

7- Panel Interview - with Recruiting Officer(s) and Non-Commissioned Officer(s). This interview is based on life skills and abilities of the candidate and is a behavioral based interview.

8- Ride-along
With a member from the Victoria Police Department.

9- Polygraph
This is a continuation of the Lifestyle Integrity Questionnaire. It is administered by a trained, professional qualified in the use of a polygraph. Please be advised that we have the right to advise the home department of any significant ethical or criminal disclosures that are made during the process including the polygraph.

10- Inspector's Interview
With the Human Resources Division Inspector.

11- Occupational Health Assessment
At Victoria Police Department's expense. The candidate attends a health assessment company to ensure they are able to carry out the occupational requirements of the job as a constable. Successful completion of the health assessment and background investigation will lead to an offer of employment*.

12- Background Investigation
An extensive background investigation is conducted based on references submitted. A police officer from the Human Resources Division contacts friends, family members, past and present employers and neighbours to validate the candidate's resume. Successful completion of the background investigation and health assessment will lead to an offer of employment*.

13- Offer of Employment

* Offer of employment is based on successful completion of BOTH a background investigation and a medical examination.

*Members serving on a B.C. Municipal police force (who were trained at the Justice Institute of British Columbia), or members of the RCMP who have spent a minimum of two years serving in BC, are not required to write the exemption exam.

Human Resources Division will contact the applicant to arrange the necessary appointments. Wherever possible, appointments will be booked in such a way as to minimize travel for out-of-town applicants. However, applicants from out of town should expect to make at least two trips to Victoria.

A complete application MUST include:

  • Certificates verifying basic police training
  • All Certificates of police related training
  • Two letters from present or previous supervisors indicating abilities as a police officer
  • Performance appraisals for the last three years, longer if possible
  • Three examples of police investigations conducted, impaired driving, break and enter, etc. The three examples should deal with a range of investigations (i.e. not all impaired driving)


Exemption Exam:

This exam is:

  • Two hours in length
  • Multiple choice in nature
  • Straightforward, with little emphasis on memorization

The Department will loan a Recruit Training Manual to the candidate for the purpose of studying for the written Provincial Exemption Exam.

The candidate must have the study material for a minimum of six weeks before the exemption exam is written.

Upon successful completion of the examination, the Victoria Police Department will continue with the exemption hiring process. The exemption exam can be written at the Victoria Police Department or at the experienced candidate's home department under the supervision of a sponsor.

Pension issues:

Some pension plans are transferable to the BC Superannuation plan.

Successful completion of the Exemption process is not a guarantee of employment with the Victoria Police Department.