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Constable, Crime Scene Investigator, Criminal Investigator, Detective, Fraud Investigator, Law Enforcement Officer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $47.45 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $51.58 |
| Top | $54.38 |
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 diverse duties ranging from patrolling communities, enforcing the law and apprehending criminals to promoting traffic safety and responding to 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 5-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. They 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. They may be required to lift heavy items in emergency situations.
Police officers often work in stressful, emotional situations. The work can be dangerous, as when dealing with domestic and public disputes, arresting lawbreakers, and pursuing speeding motorists.
Police officers need:
They should enjoy:
Specific qualifications vary. Some police departments have no stated minimum education requirement. Others 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, but the average age of new recruits is usually 26 or 27. Related post-secondary education, the ability to speak a second language, and knowledge of Alberta’s multicultural and volunteer communities are definite assets.
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
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 [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 4311: Police officers (except commissioned) occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 98 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $31.56 | $59.23 | $47.45 | $52.92 |
| Overall | $44.33 | $59.36 | $51.58 | $52.96 |
| Top | $50.01 | $61.01 | $54.38 | $54.51 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $107,052 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $106,896 |
Updated Mar 31, 2019. 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.