1. Abbotsford Police Department
Recruiting

2. Overview of Selection Process
Online application
Full written application and Integrity & Lifestyle Questionnaire
Intake exam
POPAT/2.4 km run
Suitability interview
Ride-alongs
Management interview
Psychological testing
Background investigation
Medical exam
Final review and hiring decision

3. Recruit Training at JIBC
Recruits attend the Police Academy at the JIBC for the first 12 weeks of their training (Block 1)
Recruits come to the department for weeks of on-the-job training, paired with Field Training Officers (Block 2)
Recruits return to the JIBC for 8 further weeks of training (Block 3), after which they graduate as a “Certified Municipal Constable”
One year after Graduation, recruits complete Block IV and receive the title of “Qualified Municipal Constable”

4. Wages and Leave Allowances
Wages (as of January 1, 2018)
Recruit (5th Class) $ 65,143/yr
4th Class $ 75,165/yr
3rd Class $ 80,176/yr
2nd Class $ 90,198/yr
1st Class (4 years from hire date) $100,220/yr
Increment training gives members the ability to increase wages by 5% at the 10-year service mark, 10% at the 15-year service mark, and 15% at the 20-year service mark.
Leave
Initial leave 120 hrs/yr hrs/yr Stat Leave
40 hr/yr increases at 8 yrs, 16 yrs, etc.

5. 2017 Numbers, Year to Date
9 officers hired YTD (7 recruit and 2 experienced)
In 2016, 383 new applications accepted Hired: 5 (1:77)
For perspective:
2015: 326 new applications accepted Hired: 7 (1:47)
2014: 352 new applications accepted Hired: 5 (1:70)
2013: 338 new applications accepted Hired: 2 (1:169)
2012: 377 new applications accepted Hired: 3 (1:126)
“Re-activated” recruit applications (former unsuccessful recruit applicants who have increased their competitiveness enough to be considered against the current applicant pool)
Experienced officer applications - hire, on average, 2 per year
On average, Recruiting receives 3-5 telephone/ inquiries per week

6. 2017 Recruit Hires 7 recruits hired in 2017 so far (3 female/4 male)
3 recruits in January 2017 class, 3 recruits in May 2017 class, possibly up to 5 recruits in September 2017 class
Prior to being hired by APD in 2017, the recruits were:
A Federal Corrections guard
A BC Sheriff
An APD Civilian employee
2 APD OSOs (also former APD Dispatchers)
A long-term White Spot employee and former RCMP officer
A long-term MCFD worker

7. 2017 Experienced Officer Hires
2 experienced officers
RCMP (2)
Saskatchewan, 5 years of experience
Saskatchewan, 3 years of experience
Potential for the hiring of 1-2 more in 2017
Good potential for experienced officers in 2018 as well

8. Recruiting Initiatives
Attendance at numerous career/job fairs on an ongoing basis
“Big Board” advertising in Abbotsford throughout the year, on boards at Hwy 1/McCallum Rd, Sumas Way/Marshall Rd and Hwy 11/Townshipline Rd

9. Recruiting Initiatives
Recruiting presentations to students at UFV, UBC and SFU
Info Sessions
Spring and Fall Career Fairs at SFU (Surrey/Burnaby), UFV Abbotsford, Surrey Crime Prevention, and JIBC in the Spring
Presence on APD Facebook/Twitter accounts, Recruiting Twitter account
New updated media being prepared for events (signage, Recruiting brochures)

10. Recruiting Initiatives
In 2016, APD launched an internal Hiring Incentive Program (the “WANTED” program) to encourage all APD employees to take on the role of “talent scout”, and help Recruiting by identifying and recommending people they felt would make excellent APD officers. This program directly resulted in the hiring of 4 of the last 13 officers hired by APD, and there are 2 more referrals still in the process.

11. Operational Support Officers
APD added 4 Operational Support Officers in November 2016
Pilot project, modelled after VPD CSO Program
6-month contract position (Jan-June 2017)
They perform low-risk duties that primarily support the 4 Patrol shifts, but they are available to help out all other sections
Long-term goal is to prepare/produce recruit candidates for future hiring needs
2 OSOs already hired as recruits, 3rd OSO likely to be hired as a recruit in the near future
4 new OSOs coming on board for the next contract (July-Dec 2017, with options to extend)

12. What lies ahead?
APD is currently seeking more experienced officers to meet our immediate needs
We are looking to possibly fill up to 5 seats in the September 2017 Police Academy recruit class at the JIBC
The projection for 2018 is 12+ recruits, plus some experienced officers
We are currently hoping to expand our ranks with experienced officers who are already serving in the Lower Mainland

13. QUESTIONS?