Applying to be a Peace Officer

As a Peace Officer, you’ll be part of a team that helps keep our transit system safe and respectful for everyone. You’ll deal with all kinds of situations, help people in need and make sure riders feel secure.

You’ll work 11.5-hour shifts on a rotating schedule that includes mornings, afternoons and nights. Start times are typically 5 a.m., 3 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

• Enforcing municipal bylaws, provincial laws and Criminal Code offences
• Checking for proof of payment on the CTrain
• Investigating complaints and responding to emergencies
• Helping Calgarians in need, including vulnerable populations
• Patrolling the transit system to keep people and property safe
• Connecting people with social services when needed
• Preparing reports and giving evidence in court
• Working closely with Calgary Police and other law enforcement agencies

We are looking for candidates who:

• Share our values of integrity, equality, courage, accountability, honesty, respect, compassion, and teamwork
• Exhibit the essential behaviours of our organization and the City of Calgary’s 4 C’s
• Individuals with a high level of self awareness and emotional intelligence who are passionate about public service and community safety

The City of Calgary is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace which is representative of the community we serve. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism. Applications are encouraged from members of groups that are historically disadvantaged and underrepresented.

To become a Peace Officer, you will first need to meet the minimum requirements for the job posting:

What you’ll need to apply

Before you apply, make sure you meet these basic requirements:

• You’re 18 or older and legally allowed to work in Canada
• You have a full Class 5 Alberta driver’s licence (or equivalent from another province) with no more than six demerits and no current suspensions or pending charges
• You meet one of the following education and experience combos:
  • A degree in criminology, social work, criminal justice, sociology, psychology or a related field, plus one year of related work experience
  • A two-year diploma or certificate in a related field, plus three years of related work experience
  • A high school diploma or GED, plus five years of related work experience
• Experience working with vulnerable or unhoused populations is a big asset
• Customer service skills and any background in law enforcement or the justice system are also helpful
• You’re eligible for a Community Peace Officer appointment and have no criminal convictions
• You’re okay with working rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays
• Successful completion of a provincially recognized Fitness Test within the provincially recognized timeframe, options include:
  • Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation (PARE)
  • Alberta Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police Officers (APREP)
  • Police Officer’s Physical Abilities Test (POPAT)
  • Correctional Officer’s Physical Abilities Test (COPAT)

You’ll need to book and pay for the test yourself.

Calgary Transit is an accredited facilitator of the PARE fitness test certification. No test dates are currently scheduled.

To become a Peace Officer with Calgary Transit, there are multiple steps to the application process. Learn more below about how to apply, the interview stage, security clearance requirements and more.

How to apply

Submit your cover letter and resume online at calgary.ca. All City of Calgary jobs are posted here.

PDF format is recommended.

Applications are only accepted when there is a competition open. The recruitment process takes approximately 12 weeks to complete.

Fully complete each section of the application form including the competition number and position title. These can be found on the top of every job posting.

Ensure you include:

• Contact information including phone numbers and e-mail address.
• Education and training directly related to enforcement, public relations, community safety or interpersonal communications.
• Employment history with specific positions in law enforcement or security and/or a customer service role.

Once your application is graded, you may be contacted for a pre-screen interview.

Interview

If you are successful, you will move onto the panel interview phase. The panel interview uses The City of Calgary’s targeted selection method. The Peace Officer job posting lists several duties and qualifications that you will require to fulfill the duties of a Calgary Transit Peace Officer. Use this information to help you better prepare for the interview.

Arrive 15 minutes before your interview to complete mandatory paperwork.

You may be instructed to bring the following:

• Proof of education (original documentation)
• Driver’s Licence
• Social Insurance Number (SIN) card or other government issued identification
• A current (no older than 60 days) original (no photocopies) driver’s abstract from all jurisdictions that you have been a licensed driver in the last two years
• Minimum of three work-related references
• Fitness Certification
• Completed Personal Disclosure Form

Backgrounding and Security Clearance

You may be required to participate in an exhaustive security clearance and backgrounding process, which is conducted in partnership with the Calgary Police and RCMP Services. The process may require a review of your personal and professional history as well as the collection of fingerprints. Applicants will also be required to complete an extensive personal disclosure form and a polygraph test will be conducted.

We will conduct an in-depth reference and background check on each applicant reaching this stage. Drug and psychological testing may be required. All interviewed applicants will be contacted with the results of their process.

A written comprehension assessment may also be conducted.

Our training program is designed to provide trainees with the knowledge, confidence and skills to become peace officers. The training takes approximately 24 weeks to complete and covers a variety of topics.

What should I expect from the program?

Successful candidates will commence a 12-week, in-classroom training program. This portion of the training is Monday-Friday from 8-4 p.m. The classroom portion covers an intensive study of the law, authorities and defensive tactics for a community peace officer. Other components of the training program include:

• Regularly scheduled fitness training sessions
• Mental health training and awareness for yourself and the citizens you encounter
• Tactical Communication and de-escalation training
• Mock trials with the courts
• Experiential Learning involving ride-alongs in the field
• Drill and uniform inspections
• Defensive Tactics and Use of Force training and evaluations
• Progressive scenarios
• Report Writing and Notebook Taking
• You will also be required to obtain a City of Calgary vehicle proficiency and pass LRV rules training.

Practical demonstration, written exam assessments and homework assignments are given throughout the program. You will be working 10-hour days, on a rotating schedule of days, afternoons and nights, depending on the assigned team schedule. Peace officers are required to cover the system 24 hours a day.

Upon successful completion of the in-classroom training, new recruits will transition to the Officer Coach Phase of training. This phase is 12 weeks in length and is comprised of two 6 week rotations where the new recruit is paired up with a qualified Officer Coach who is trained to assist and support new officers in transitioning the skills developed in-class to practical and hands-on application.

You must complete all aspects of the in-class and field training process to be employed with Transit Public Safety.

As a Calgary Transit Peace Officer, you’re choosing a career of public service, helping keep our communities safe, where Calgarians can feel secure when riding our transit systems.

The application and training process is vigorous and requires full dedication. As a Peace Officer, you will require the same dedication. You will respond to and resolve diverse situations, prevent disorder and make sure everyone arrives home safely.

We have an agreement with the Calgary Police Service that allows us to process our own arrests.

Some of the work we do includes:

• Enforcing municipal bylaws, provincial statutes and Criminal Code offences.
• Conducting proof of payment checks on the C-Train system.
• Investigating complaints on transit system.
• Responding to emergency situations and helping the public.
• Problem-solving through social development and helping Calgary’s vulnerable population.
• Protecting transit customers and property; conducting preventative patrols on the C-Train system.
• Providing Calgarians in need transport to local social service agencies.
• Preparing and giving evidence in court; exchanging criminal and confidential information with the Calgary Police Service and other law enforcement agencies.

Every peace officer must be able to work shift work 24 hours a day, seven days a week – including statutory holidays.