Crime Scene Investigator, Fraud Investigator, Investigator, Law Enforcement Officer
Interest in analyzing information to investigate crimes and accidents
Interest in driving when patrolling assigned areas to maintain public safety and order; and in enforcing laws and regulations and arresting criminal suspects; may supervise and co-ordinate the work of other police officers
Interest in speaking to the public when participating in crime prevention, public information and safety programs
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
In their daily work, police officers perform many diverse duties ranging from enforcing the law and apprehending criminals, to promoting traffic safety and arbitrating domestic disputes. Police work does not always involve a physical act of protection or the apprehension of a law breaker. It also involves activities related to:
Opportunities within various police agencies may include:
Police officers may work a regular five day, 40 hour week or a compressed work week with 10 or 12 hour shifts. Weekend, holiday and night shifts usually are required because police protection must be provided around the clock.
Officers work both indoors and outdoors in all kinds of weather and may be required to stand or walk for hours at a time, or ride in a vehicle for a complete shift. At times, they must use force and may be required to lift items that weigh over 20 kilograms in emergency situations.
Police officers often work in stressful, emotional situations and sometimes work in dangerous situations (for example, dealing with domestic and public disputes, arresting lawbreakers, pursuing speeding motorists).
Personal characteristics such as honesty, integrity, respect, ethics, maturity, good judgment, patience, intelligence, good observation skills and basic good humour are essential in this occupation. Police officers also need to be:
They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines for analyzing information and investigations, taking charge of situations and dealing with people.
Specific qualifications required by police departments vary. They may require:
Candidates must be physically fit, meet minimum vision and hearing requirements, and be in good health. The minimum application age varies from 18 to 21 years but the average age of new recruits generally is about 26 or 27 years of age. Related post-secondary education, the ability to speak a second language, and knowledge of Alberta's multicultural and volunteer communities are definite assets.
The Edmonton Police Service offers a Diversity Job Development Program for selected applicants who come close but do not initially meet recruitment standards. They are hired full time in a civilian capacity to assist and learn from police officers, and have up to one year to meet the required standards for recruit training.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.
In Alberta, police officers are employed by:
Following induction, recruits undergo a period of basic training that includes classroom lectures, physical fitness activities and in service street policing. Training is followed by assignment to a patrol or traffic division while partnered with a field training officer. Advanced and specialized training is provided later for experienced officers. Promotion to supervisory positions generally requires years of experience.
Police officers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4311: Police officers (except commissioned). In Alberta, 98% of people employed in this classification work in the Public Administration (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Over 9,300 Albertans are employed in the Police officers (except commissioned) occupational group. This group is not expected to grow from 2016 to 2020.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Police officers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4311: Police officers (except commissioned).
According to the 2015 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Police officers (except commissioned) occupational group earned on average from $42.65 to $45.27 an hour. The overall average wage was $43.68 an hour. For more information, see the Police officers (except commissioned) wage profile
Updated Mar 29, 2015. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.