Special Municipal Constable
Special Municipal Constables (SMCs) play an essential role within the Victoria Police Department (VicPD), working as both Community Safety Officers and Jail Guards. SMCs are recruited into an auxiliary pool with the potential for full-time positions.
For many, becoming an SMC is the first step toward a career as a police officer; offering valuable training and hands on experience that enhances their application. It also provides the opportunity to work alongside experienced Victoria Police officers. For others, working as an auxiliary SMC is a way to contribute to the criminal justice system and be part of the Victoria Police family.
SMCs are cross trained in both roles and undergo specialized training, including:
- Booking Procedures
- Use of Force
- Freedom of Information & Privacy Legislation
- Drug Awareness
- Legal Training (Federal & Provincial Laws and Municipal Bylaws)
Community Safety Officer
Community Safety Officers assist Victoria Police officers with administrative duties and tasks in support of criminal investigations, which are key to the successful management of case files and to VicPD’s overall delivery of policing services to the community.
The duties of Community Safety Officers include:
- Assisting the public with requests and reports at the Front Desk.
- Serving subpoenas and summons.
- Assisting front line officers with tasks including CCTV collection, perimeter security at police incidents, and property transport and management.
- Providing a uniform presence at public and community events.
- Aiding or providing relief in the Jail as required.
Jail Guards
Jail Guards are responsible for prisoners in the Victoria Police Department jail. This includes the security of prisoners, and all prisoner needs during their detention in the jail. Specific duties include:
- Maintaining the jail facility and reporting hazards and concerns.
- Monitoring persons in custody and providing care and meals.
- Effectively de-escalating, communicating and interacting with persons in custody.
- Searching prisoners, managing prisoner movements and documenting actions to criminal court standard. Assisting with virtual bail hearings as required.
- Conducting prisoner intake, documenting health and safety concerns.
- Account, safekeep and return of property to those entering and leaving custody.
- Assisting Police Officers in the jail and responding to all jail incidents including medical events. Serving as First Aid attendant for VicPD employees.
To qualify as a Special Municipal Constable applicant, you must meet the following requirements:
Qualifications
- Basic computer skills and keyboarding ability
- Demonstrated fit and healthy lifestyle
- Meet the medical requirements of the Victoria Police Department
- 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
- Ability to successfully undergo reference checks
- Ability to pass security checks, which include polygraph
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 months from 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)
Competitive Attributes
- Previous experience as a jail guard or peace officer
- Fluency in a second language
- Basic Security Course (BST-Level 1 & 2)
- First Aid Training OFA level 2
