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Police Officers : The Job | Qualifications | The Process | Training | Exempt Candidates | Information Sessions | Recruitment FAQs

VPD Ceremony

Qualifications

The Vancouver Police Department is looking for exceptional people. Do you meet our requirements? We set the bar high for applicants to the VPD, but these qualifications are certainly within reach.

IPAR

The VPD has four core values:

  • Integrity
  • Professionalism
  • Accountability
  • Respect

These core values can't be taught in any school, and they are non-negotiable for our applicants. Without these, it would be impossible to have a successful career with the VPD.

Basic Qualifications

The VPD's basic requirements include:

  • minimum 19 years of age
  • excellent character
  • physically fit and in excellent health
  • Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Grade 12 diploma or equivalent, plus a minimum 30 credits of academic post secondary education from an accredited university or college e.g. economics, social sciences, history or literature
  • no criminal convictions, no adult criminal charges pending
  • no history of improper conduct, poor employment, military, educational, or driving record that would affect your suitability for policing duties
  • a valid Class 5 driver's license with a good driving record
  • be able to type a minimum of 25 words per minute
  • meet the visual acuity and hearing standards

Remember, having the basic requirements may get your foot in the door, but will not guarantee your success in a competitive hiring process.

Preferred Qualifications

  • a degree or diploma in any field of study
  • knowledge of a second language or culture
  • community volunteer experience (see Volunteer Opportunities with the VPD)
  • work experience in a supervisory capacity and / or having significant interaction with the public

Ready to Apply?

If you meet our qualifications, or if you'd just like to find out more about a career in policing, come out to one of our Information Sessions. We hold them every month at the JIBC Police Academy in New Westminster. It's a chance to hear our presentation, and also talk one on one with a recruiter.

Once you attend an Information Session, you'll be able to pick up an application form to start the application process.

Are You an Out of Town Applicant?

If you live outside the Greater Vancouver area, please send us a detailed resume along with the following documents:

  • photocopies of your educational transcripts – high school and post secondary
  • photocopy of your birth certificate or proof of Canadian citizenship or Permanent Residency
  • photocopy of your current driver's license
  • photocopy of your Social Insurance Number card

Once your information has been reviewed, providing you meet all of our requirements, an application form will be sent to you.

Please send your documents by mail to:

Recruiting Unit
Vancouver Police Department
3585 Graveley St.
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V5K 5J5

Are You an International Applicant?

If you are a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident living outside Canada, you can obtain an application form by following the above directions for out of town applicants.

If you are not a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, then you must obtain this status before applying.

The VPD does not sponsor or assist applicants in obtaining this status.

Keep in mind that an important part of the recruiting selection process is the background investigation of an applicant. At this stage, an investigator conducts numerous interviews with references to determine if a candidate's personal history, traits and characteristics are suitable for a career in policing. People who are typically contacted for these interviews are past and present employers and colleagues, long-time friends, neighbours and landlords.

It is essential that the investigator is able to access and accurately document a candidate's adult history. This stage of the process is usually more difficult if you have lived most of your adult years outside Canada. However, we are prepared to invest the necessary resources if you are a strong applicant and the relevant background information is obtainable.

Are you an Exempt / Current Serving Canadian Police Officer?

See Exempt Candidates for information for police officers currently serving with another Canadian police agency who are interested in a career with the VPD.
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Monthly Information Sessions

If you meet our qualifications, or if you'd just like to find out more about a career in policing, come out to one of our Information Sessions, held every month at the JIBC Police Academy in New Westminster.
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