As the Managing Director of anEDGE, a company that is now Canada’s number one law enforcement, police application, interview coaching, and mentoring company, I often get asked questions about the Calgary Police Service (CPS).
Specifically, people ask me about the requirements the Calgary Police Service looks for during the recruiting process. “What is the Calgary Police Service recruiting process, and how can they best prepare themselves to be a preferred candidate?”
Before I delve into the Calgary Police Service recruiting process, I want to tell you about anEDGE. anEDGE is a Canadian-based coaching and mentoring company specializing in all Canadian law enforcement departments. anEDGE conducts assessments and implements meaningful coaching and developmental plans to turn applicants into preferred candidates when they apply. We also specialize in coaching applicants through the rigorous interview process.
Requirements Calgary Police Service look for during the Calgary Police recruiting process.
The Calgary Police Service is one of Canada’s finest police agencies and has always set a high bar for those chosen to serve the community. Being part of Calgary police services is more than a job; it’s a calling. To be selected, you must demonstrate personal integrity, sound judgment, intelligent decision-making, maturity, and common sense. Calgary Police Service demands nothing less than excellence from all their officers.
During the Calgary Police recruiting process, they will look for individuals committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace; the Calgary Police Service expects all applicants to embody its seven core values: Respect, Honesty, Compassion, Courage, Fairness, Accountability, and Integrity. These traits are fundamental and non-negotiable, forming the foundation of being a CPS officer. This is a serious commitment, and the Calgary Police Service expects all its officers to uphold these values.
So, what does the Calgary Police recruiting process entail?
The Calgary Police recruiting or application process is thorough. It can be time-consuming, but this is by design, as it helps the Calgary Police Service identify the best candidates for officers.
I will go through the 13 steps, but the entire Calgary Police recruitment process can take up to nine months to complete, so you should be mentally and physically prepared to complete each step before you apply.
Below are the 13 steps in the Calgary Police recruitment process:
Pre-Application:
At this stage – before you even apply. We recommend applicants begin a fitness program.
Step 1: Application
The first step of the Calgary Police Department recruitment process is the actual application, which is completed online.
Step 2: Application review.
Once your Calgary Police application is received, it will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure all information is complete. This review includes the Calgary Police Service conducting your Enhanced Security Clearance. After the application review, you must wait to be contacted regarding the next step in your application process.
Step 3: APCAT (This is a written test)
Provincial guidelines require anyone interested in a policing career to take and pass the Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test (APCAT).
Before I move on, let’s look quickly at APCAT.
The Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test (APCAT) is a mandatory, job-related written examination required during stage three of the Calgary Police recruitment or application process. The results of this provincial standard exam are valid for five years and transferable to all municipal police agencies in Alberta. The APCAT consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, and applicants must achieve a minimum score of 70 percent to pass. The exam lasts approximately three hours and can be retaken as often as needed.
Minimum wait periods after an unsuccessful attempt are as follows:
First attempt: One month from the date of testing.
Second attempt: Three months from the date of the second test.
Third attempt and any subsequent attempts: Six months from the date of the last test.
Step 4: Physical assessment (A-PREP)
I said to get running at the start of your application process, as step 4 is the physical assessment. You need to complete and pass the Alberta Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police Officers (A-PREP) The Alberta Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police Officers (A-PREP) is the provincial standard for assessing applicants; physical suitability.
The A-PREP includes a pursuit-restraint circuit that simulates a foot chase and an aerobic shuttle run. Since the A-PREP may require maximum effort, all applicants must have a medical doctor complete an A-PREP Medical
Clearance Form before taking the test. The Calgary Police Services Recruiting Department will provide this form, valid for six months from the date it is completed.
Step 5: Disclosure Interview.
In this step, you will meet with a Calgary Police recruiting officer to thoroughly review your personal disclosure form and discuss your personal history. As the general manager of a coaching and mentoring company, I have much to say on this issue. We coach our applicants never to minimize their past. Do not hide your transgressions, and always tell the truth. anEDGE mentors can coach you through any “mild transgressions” so they don’t impact your application, but we can’t coach you through outstanding warrants and criminal records.
Unfortunately, these create more prominent barriers for your policing career. Remember, later, you must pass a background investigation and a polygraph test. Be open, honest, and genuine –the polygraph will be much easier.
Step 6: Panel Interview.
Many police departments use the behavioural descriptive interview (BDI), which operates on the principle that past behaviour best indicates future performance. This interview format aims to evaluate your traits based on selected competencies.
As a company, anEDGE mentors spend a lot of time on interview coaching. We have seen too many quality candidates stumble here. It would be best if you prepared yourself to give yourself the best chance to be a preferred candidate in the CPS recruitment process. This interview, conducted in stage six of the application process, is designed to evaluate your character concerning five key competencies:
- Interpersonal Skills
- Adaptability / Decisiveness
- Stress Management
- Valuing Service and Diversity
- Initiative / Perseverance
Structure your responses using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format when answering questions. This format’s narrative style should help you present your experiences clearly and engagingly, making the interview process more comfortable.
Step 7: Psychological Testing
Once you pass the interview, you must pass the psychological test, which is the next step in the Calgary Police recruitment process. Psychological testing is designed to evaluate your suitability for a career as a police officer. These tests typically take several hours and cannot be studied in advance. anEDGE can’t coach you through these, but we can give you some idea of what to expect and how to conduct yourself.
Step 8: The Polygraph
During step 8 of the Calgary Police recruitment process, a trained polygraph examiner will administer your polygraph test. Please be aware that this is a pre-employment polygraph and not a criminal interrogation. Although we cannot coach you, our team will talk you through the process, so you know what to expect.
Step 9: Background Investigation
During step 9 of the Calgary Police recruitment process, background investigators will perform reference checks and interview individuals from your personal and professional life, such as current and former employers, colleagues, friends, and neighbours. They will contact those listed in your application and others you may have yet to identify. Remember that during the Calgary Police recruiting process, you will need to give the names of 5 (five) adults not related to you and who are not current or previous employers.
Look at your social media and think about what this says about you.
Step 10: Pre-selection
The Calgary Police Service is a desirable police department to be a police officer. Remember that during the Calgary Police recruitment process, your entire application package is thoroughly reviewed to assess your suitability for the CPS and your competitiveness compared to other candidates in the applicant pool. Being prepared will make you a preferred candidate in the selection process.
Step 11: Selection
By Step 11, you are now getting closer to the end of the Calgary Police recruitment process. The recruiting officer will now present your application to a board of senior officers and HR professionals to assess your suitability
for hiring. Various factors influence employment offers, including your competitiveness within the applicant pool, but if you are well- prepared, you will do well.
Step 12: Conditional Offer of Employment
The Calgary Police recruiting process requires a medical examination, and upon completion of a pre-employment medical examination, candidates deemed most competitive will be extended a conditional offer of employment.
13. Final Step 13 to Employment
If you make Step 13 – Congratulations — You survived and performed well in the Calgary Police Service recruitment process. You are almost there. Your CPS recruit training is about to begin! This program is mentally and physically demanding and designed to equip you with the tools and skills needed to start your career
in policing.
All recruits must meet the required standards to graduate from training and complete the probationary period. It may all seem overwhelming, but if you are dedicated to policing as a career, our anEDGE Mentors, who are former police recruiting officers, can coach you and help you navigate the recruitment process every step of the way, from application submission to interview coaching, including mock interviews with former police recruiters.