Become a Police Constable

To be considered for a career in policing, you must meet certain minimum requirements as outlined in the Police Services Act. Specifically, you MUST:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position, having regard to your own safety and the safety of members of the public.
  • Have successfully completed at least four years of secondary school education or its equivalent. (Note: official transcripts and diplomas will be required.) Where education has been completed outside Ontario, official proof of equivalency must be obtained by contacting the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training.
  • Be of good moral character and habits, meaning that you are an individual other people would look upon as being trustworthy and having integrity.

In addition, you MUST:

• Possess a valid driver's licence with no more than six accumulated demerit-points, permitting you to drive an automobile in Ontario with full driving privileges.
• Have a current certification in CPR and First Aid - Level C.
• Be able to pass a security clearance as well as background investigation, credit and reference checks. If you have any criminal convictions under a federal statute, you must obtain a pardon. If you have ‘Findings of Guilt’ which have resulted in absolute or conditional discharges, the records must be ‘sealed’ by the RCMP

The Peterborough Police Service subscribes to the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Constable Selection System and only resumes accompanied by a valid OACP Certificate of Test Results can be considered by the Service.

Candidates must successfully pass each step to continue to be considered in the process.

(1) APPLICATION

Applicants must submit a complete application package including:

• Application Checklist 
• OACP Police Constable Application
• OACP Police Constable Consent and Release Form
• OACP Police Survey

How to Submit Your Application

(2) ESSENTIAL COMPETENCY INTERVIEW

In accordance with the Constable Selection System, candidates will participate in a full Essential Competency Interview. This interview could take up to 3 hours to complete. Candidates will be advised of their results at the conclusion of the interview.

(3) APPLICATION REVIEW AND PRE-BACKGROUND QUESTIONNAIRE

The Peterborough Police Service will review all applications, the selected candidates will be contacted to complete the OACP Pre-Background Questionnaire.

(4) PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST/PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVIEW

Applicants will be required to complete a written MMPI-3 and 16PF test, and subsequently be required to participate in an interview with a designated psychologist to determine if they are acceptable for a position as a police constable.

(5) PHYSICAL TESTING – POLICE FITNESS PIN TESTING

Recruits must demonstrate the ability to successful pass the Fitness PIN. 

(6) BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

This stage involves an in-depth investigation into the applicant and all information that has been provided throughout the entire application process.

CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

Subject to satisfactory results, candidates may be offered employment conditional to receiving medical clearance. 

• K9 Unit
• Special Victims Unit
• High Risk Unit
• Forensic Identification
• Drugs & Intelligence Unit
• Community Services Unit
• Traffic Services
• Major Crime Unit 

• Sergeant
• Staff Sergeant
• Inspector

• Pharmaceutical Sales
• Teaching
• Retail - Ownership
• Retail - Employee
• Chef
• Security
• Special Constable
• Information Technology
• Social Work

Under the Peterborough Police Service Sworn Collective Agreement, the definition of Experienced Officer shall mean; a member of an accredited police service who has had no longer than 24 months break in policing service.  

Experienced Officers pay will be review and consider with all previous police experience shall be evaluated. 

When a member joins the Service, annual leave entitlement according to the total number of years of Service as a full-time Police Constable.   Annual leave entitlement, will be according to the Collective Agreement.  Additionally, holiday selection and signing are in sequence of seniority.

For all questions pertaining to your pension, please refer to www.omers.com. As an OMERS member, you may be able to transfer pension credits in to the OMERS plan from another Canadian registered pension plan. If you have been a member of another registered pension plan in the past, contact OMERS Client Services directly at 1-800-387-0813. 

No, you will not have another probationary period if you have successfully completed a probationary period in accordance with the Police Services Act of Ontario Section (44): Officers who have served probation with OPP, RCMP, or other municipal services outside of Ontario are not required to reserve their probation.

Benefit coverage starts the first of the following month of a full time date of hire

No. You will be required to complete a training/ orientation in uniform patrol. Transfers to other units are based on expressions of need and are posted for officers to apply to.

For any experienced Officers joining the Peterborough Police Service, you are entitled to “Service” pay for number of years as a full-time Police Constable.  

Yes, once your Training Sergeant and Staff Sergeant confirms and verifies your training from your current Service, you may be used in their capacities.