Recruit Constable
As a member of the Victoria Police Department, you’ll become part of a dedicated and compassionate team of professionals committed to excellence, collaboration, and innovation. We are a progressive organization that values equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace. At VicPD, you’re not only joining a department, you’re becoming part of a family that supports personal and professional growth. We take pride in fostering an environment where every member is empowered to thrive.
Community-Focused Policing
Our officers do more than enforce federal and provincial laws, they build lasting partnerships with the community and regional stakeholders to enhance public safety. The strong bond between our department and the people we serve is a cornerstone of our success.
A Career That Challenges and Inspires
Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow. You’ll be called upon to protect lives and property, prevent crime, and engage meaningfully with the community. Police work demands responsibility, resilience and a deep commitment to justice.
As a police officer, you will:
- Anticipate, investigate, and respond to criminal activity
- Recommend charges and present evidence in court
- Apply advanced investigative techniques within the framework of the Criminal Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
- Operate in environments that may be dangerous, unpredictable and emotionally demanding
What It Takes
You’ll be trained to handle volatile and high-stress situations with professionalism and accountability. It’s a role that demands courage and compassion.
Policing requires:
- Discretion, integrity and ethical conduct
- Tolerance, tact and sound judgment
- Initiative, adaptability and a strong social conscience
- The ability to make critical decisions, often independently and under pressure
Make a Real Difference
There is no profession quite like policing. You serve, protect, and uplift your community and that impact is felt every single day. It’s one of the greatest honors in public service.
If you are ready to take on the challenge and embrace a career that truly matters, we invite you to apply today!
Stage 1: Prerequisites
Cover Letter & Resume
For the chance to work and VicPD and serve the citizens of Victoria and Esquimalt, please start by submitting your cover letter and resume here. The recruitment team is fortunate to receive hundreds of impressive applications each year, which makes the process of becoming a Recruit Constable very competitive. If you are deemed competitive, a member of our recruitment team will contact you to discuss the next steps.
Stage 2: Initial Screening
This is a virtual meet and greet interview focusing on your general suitability, integrity, and life experiences.
Stage 3: POPAT & ETHOS Tests
Physical Test: POPAT
The Police Officer's Physical Ability Test (POPAT) test is designed to evaluate the physical abilities and endurance of aspiring police officers, ensuring they possess the necessary fitness levels for the demanding nature of law enforcement.
To pass the POPAT, you must perform all activities as per the defined protocol, and complete the timed portion of the test within 4:15 minutes. You must also demonstrate the ability to lift and carry a 100 pound torso bag a distance of 50 feet.
You are welcome to complete a POPAT test prior to submitting your application to VicPD.
If you do, please include a copy of your certificate in your application. Test scores are valid for 12 months.
Information and registration details for upcoming POPAT tests can be found here and arrangements to participate in the POPAT will be made for you, if you do not complete the test prior to applying.
Written Test: ETHOS
This test assesses practical skill sets that police officers must use on a regular basis while performing their duties: memory and observation, reading comprehension and critical thinking, summarizing, as well as writing and editing.
A passing score of 70% or higher is required.
You are welcome to participate in an ETHOS exam with another B.C. police agency prior to submitting your application to VicPD. If you do, please include a copy of your certificate in your application. Test scores are valid for three (3) years.
Arrangements will made for you to participate in an ETHOS test if you do not complete it prior to applying.
Stage 4: Secondary Screening
This in-person behavioral-based interview with a recruiter focuses on your life skills, experience and abilities.
It is recommended that you prepare your answers using the STAR (Situation – Task – Actions – Result) format.
Key behavioural competencies we look for in a police officer include:
- Adaptability
- Ethical Accountability & Responsibility
- Interactive Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Problem Solving
- Risk Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
- Excellent Written Skills
Stage 5: Documents Request and Credit Check
At this stage, you will be requested to provide various documents and undergo a credit check.
Stage 6: Medical Assessment
You will be required to undergo a hearing and vision test, as well as a psychological assessment which will be performed by a VicPD appointed psychologist.
All of these tests are paid for by VicPD.
Stage 7: Integrity & Lifestyle Questionnaire
At this stage, you will be required to complete the Integrity and Lifestyle Questionnaire (ILQ).
This is a comprehensive personal questionnaire that focuses on honesty, integrity, and lifestyle. These areas are scrutinized closely when considering all applications for employment with the Victoria Police Department. Deceit, dishonesty, and/or non-disclosure related to questions in this document or during any other stage of the application process will result in being disqualified from the process.
Stage 8: Polygraph
Upon successful completion of Stage 7, you will be required to undergo a polygraph examination. The Integrity & Lifestyle Questionnaire will form the basis of this examination.
Stage 9: Final Screening
Upon successful completion of the polygraph examination, you will be invited to attend an in-person panel interview with members of the HR recruiting team.
This interview will be behaviour-based.
Stage 11: Occupational Health Assessment
At Stage 10, you will be asked to attend a health assessment company in Vancouver to ensure you are able to carry out the occupational requirements of the job as constable.
The assessment is conducted at the Victoria Police Department's expense.
Stage 11: Background Investigation
Next, an extensive background investigation is conducted with regards to references that have been submitted and others. An investigator contacts friends, family members, past and present employers, neighbours, and validates the candidate's resume.
Stage 12: Offer of Employment
Congratulations! You've successfully completed the recruitment process.
The Chief Constable or designate will make the final determination as to whether or not an offer of employment will be made.
Qualifications & Prerequisites
To qualify as a Recruit Constable applicant, you must meet the qualifications and prerequisites listed below.
To increase your competitiveness, you may want to consider gaining experience as a jail guard, protection services officer, or corrections officer. Fluency in one or more second languages, completion of the Basic Security Course (BST Level 1 & 2), and First Aid Training OFA Level 2 are also beneficial. Note that not having these experiences or courses does not preclude you from applying.
Qualifications
- Meet the requirements of VicPD for medical assessments, background checks, and comprehensive security checks, including a polygraph exam
- Basic computer skills and keyboarding ability
- Demonstrated fit and healthy lifestyle
- Maturity derived from varied life experience
- Demonstrated responsibility, initiative, creativity and problem-solving abilities
- Demonstrated sensitivity to people whose culture, lifestyle or ethnicity is different than your own
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Prerequisites
- Minimum age 19 years
- No criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted
- Valid Basic First Aid Certificate and CPR (Level C)
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Visual acuity must be no poorer than 20/40, 20/100 uncorrected and 20/20, 20/40 corrected. Applicants having corrective laser surgery must wait three (3) months from the time of surgery before applying
- Hearing requirements must be above 30 db HL to the 500 to 3000 HZ in both ears, and 50 dB HL in the worst ear at the 3000 + HZ notch
- Grade 12 High School equivalency (GED)
