Recruitment of Special Constables
You must meet the following requirements:
- be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
- be at least 18 years of age;
- be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position, having regard to his or her own safety and the safety of members of the public.
- be of good moral character and habits.
- not have been convicted of a criminal offence for which a pardon has not been granted.
- have completed at least four years of secondary school education or its equivalent; plus be a graduate of a recognized Community College Police Foundations or Law and Security Diploma.
- have a good knowledge of security or law enforcement operations and principles. This requires a minimum of 2 years of security experience in a transit environment. Related experience in dealing with people and enforcement procedures may be considered as alternate relevant experience. Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability, may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.
- possess proof of valid Standard First Aid Certificate and valid CPR-Level C.
- possess proof of valid Special Constable Applicant Testing Service (ATS) Certificate or the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Certificate of Results for the Constable Selection System.
- possess a valid Ontario Unrestricted “G” class driver’s license (or provincial equivalent) with no demerit points.
- undergo background checks such as fingerprinting, driver’s licence history, credit checks, employment history, psychological testing and police records checks to the City of Ottawa’s satisfaction.
- learn, meet and maintain Transit Special Constable Service’s standard in the use of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, baton and the use of force continuum.
Selection Process
If you meet the minimum requirements above, you may advance through the selection process. Each stage in the selection process is competitive.
Application
The following documentation is required:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Proof of a valid Special Constable Applicant Testing Service (ATS) Certificate OR the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Certificate of Results for the Constable Selection System. For testing standards, please visit: applicanttesting.com/career-paths/special-constable.html
- Original police Clearance Letter, dated within the last 12 months. A Clearance Letter is a formal document produced on secure paper indicating that the subject of the inquiry has no criminal convictions in the National Repository of Criminal Records maintained by the RCMP.
- Proof of valid Standard First Aid Certificate and valid CPR-Level C.
Panel Interview
Candidates must demonstrate that they possess the following competencies:
- Analytical Thinking
- Self-confidence
- Law Enforcement Principals
- Communication
- Flexibility/Valuing Diversity
- Self Control
- Relationship Building
- Achievement Orientation
Candidates will also be required to undergo a General Law Enforcement Knowledge test that is administered to measure a candidate’s aptitude in basic law enforcement principles, applicable in the province of Ontario. Candidates will be provided with a series of true/false, multiple choice and essay questions. Candidates will be required to answer the questions to the best of their ability within a prescribed period of time.
Background Investigation
Candidates selected to proceed beyond the interview stage and law enforcement knowledge-testing phase, will undergo an investigation of their background and personal history.
Candidates will be required to complete an Ottawa Police Background Investigation Form. A thorough background investigation, which includes both security and reference checks, will be conducted on candidates selected to proceed beyond the interview stage and law enforcement knowledge testing phases. Candidates will be required to complete a psychological profile and may be required to attend an interview with a psychologist.
The Personal History Form is the tool by which personal information about an applicant is collected. The use of this information begins only if the candidate advances beyond the interview stage and it becomes necessary to conduct a background investigation. At this stage candidates will also be required to sign a “Waiver for the Collection of Personal Information” form. Until this document is signed, the application will not advance through the remainder of the process.
Airport
