How to become a police officer in Toronto

[urir10]

Hi all

Was wondering what goes into becoming a police officer for the Toronto Police?
I currently have a full time job as a programmer but was thinking into changing my career abit. I read all the stuff on their website and still somewhat confused.
I want to know what i need to do to start the whole process, where to go, who to ask , things like that.
Also if anyone had experience with such a thing, at what stage do i need to leave my current job and how is the salary once you enter the force? just dont want to be stuck with no money to pay the mortgage.

Any insight on this?

[SAL99]

The process is all on the Toronto Police website under the careers section, and yes you get paid while you are being trained.
You need to leave your job once you are given an employment date to begin training.

[ItechJester]

it's tough. fyi a lot of applicants go through the pre-course at humber college.

[Born2 kill]

If you want to be a police officer you better put the investigator part of you to work and research!!

The the first thing have you do before you can apply to the TPS or just about any police service in Ontario(expect Peel regional Police, others that i may not be aware of), the first step is to complete the ATS testing. http://www.applicanttesting.com/

You will find pretty much everything else you need on the TPS site like the above poster mentioned.

And one more thing, dont take Police Foundations because i've heard that may even hinder your chances... and its a waste of money! Trust me, I took it and graduated with it.

[Roconne]

If you want to be a police officer you better put the investigator part of you to work and research!!

The the first thing have you do before you can apply to the TPS or just about any police service in Ontario(expect Peel regional Police, others that i may not be aware of), the first step is to complete the ATS testing. http://www.applicanttesting.com/

You will find pretty much everything else you need on the TPS site like the above poster mentioned.

And one more thing, dont take Police Foundations because i've heard that may even hinder your chances... and its a waste of money! Trust me, I took it and graduated with it.

In addition to this, I recommend browsing/searching the forums over at Blueline.ca

Everything you could ever want to know about becoming a police officer can be found there. (Tip: Don't create a thread like this over there, just use the search option to find information. This question has been answered there many times and they wont like it if you create another thread asking for the same information.)

You should also go to one of the information sessions for Toronto Police. You will gain a lot of knowledge about the process there and will also be able to ask any questions you may have. http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/careers/infosessions.php

[ricoboxing]

Don't bother applying for TPS unless you are a visible minority or a woman. Thats what they are looking for at the moment.

[fireguy9]

Don't bother applying for TPS unless you are a visible minority or a woman. Thats what they are looking for at the moment.

They will hire whoever is qualified. They like to have a mix,,,, but if they dont pass the tests they dont get hired.

[urir10]

Thanks for the info guys. I sure will have to check that session on Sep 22. And will start doing what it takes. I currently have a good job as a web developer working for a good company, but just cant see my self sitting infront of the desk for the next 20 years and i always wanted to do something like this.

Another question, how is the job stability for a police officer? and for a new recruit how how are the hours/shifts? just if anyone experienced that.

[Roconne]

Another question, how is the job stability for a police officer? and for a new recruit how how are the hours/shifts? just if anyone experienced that.

Last I heard TPS was doing a schedule somewhat like this:
7 on, 6 off
7 on, 5 off
7 on, 4 off

I heard this awhile ago, so for all I know, they could be using something different by now. Based on this type of schedule, I would say it is using 8 or 10 hour shifts.

A lot of the OPP detachments from what I heard are using a 2-3-2 rotating schedule now. Rotating Nights/Days and 12 hour shifts.

[oasis100]

Don't bother applying for TPS unless you are a visible minority or a woman. Thats what they are looking for at the moment.

That's non sense.
A majority of the hired are still white.
I've seen my friends OPC and TPS graduation pic from a year ago, most people are still white. You have a misconception.

[Roconne]

That's non sense.
A majority of the hired are still white.
I've seen my friends OPC and TPS graduation pic from a year ago, most people are still white. You have a misconception.

Agree. They just had a news story on CTV a few days ago about the class that just graduated and they said around 30% of the graduates are of visible minority or females.

[UrbanPoet]

Agree. They just had a news story on CTV a few days ago about the class that just graduated and they said around 30% of the graduates are of visible minority or females.

Which is still a poor reflection of the demographics in Toronto.
But none the less... you still have a chance if you're white. lol

[DLFB]

my cousin literally just got hired 3 weeks ago (meaning finished and graduated already, works for Peel Police now).

I think he never went to school for it, but he's got tons of experience in security (not your regular security jobs btw).

he's asian btw.

[at1212b]

Agree. They just had a news story on CTV a few days ago about the class that just graduated and they said around 30% of the graduates are of visible minority or females.

It is actually 38% for visible minorities

http://www.torontosun.com/news/toron...32831-sun.html

Shows the graduating class profile

[Roconne]

It is actually 38% for visible minorities

http://www.torontosun.com/news/toron...32831-sun.html

Shows the graduating class profile

Yeah that's right sorry. I couldn't find any articles talking about it so I couldn't get the actual number.