Calgary Herald
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Page: B1
Section: City & Region
Byline: Stephane Massinon
Source: Calgary Herald
Calgary police have started to fill the almost 200 jobs they have open this year, but Chief Rick Hanson said he'd like to find some more experienced applicants.
Police celebrated the graduation of 15 new officers Wednesday, but revealed they are still scouring Western Canada for more recruits. Hanson said they are looking for the right mix of young enthusiastic people to hit the streets and experienced officers to guide them.
"Our recruiting is going really well. The quality of the people we are getting . . . is tremendous," said Hanson.
"What we lack in the world to-day, I think, is experience. We've got really good quality candidates that are coming on; they're young and they're going to make their careers in policing. But we're losing a lot of folks out the back door (with) retirements. With the experience that goes with them, they need replacing."
Hanson said there are 75 cadets currently in training and recruiting efforts will continue into June.
This year, the Calgary Police Service will hire almost 200 officers after receiving funding from the city and province last year. In all, there are to be 300 new officers over the next three years.
The 15 who graduated Wednesday at a ceremony at the down-town public library are all experienced officers with an average of 16 years service. They completed an accelerated 10-week training program and all but one came from the United Kingdom.
Recruiters were in Edmonton and Saskatoon on Wednesday before heading to Winnipeg next week and Regina in late February.
"We have to recognize that the world is a smaller place today. Canada, and Calgary in particular, is a desirable place to live. There are people, particularly in policing, that are anxious to start a life in Canada,"Hanson said.
"And we're even attracting people from other police agencies as well."
One of those people is Const. Jeremy Rogers from Leeds, England, who said he came to Calgary because it's a developing city and he likes the way of life here.
He hopes to be able to help deal with Calgary's growing gang violence problem using relevant experience he gained in the U. K.
"We'll be able to help with what we've already encountered," he said.
Mayor Dave Bronconnier said he is confident they will recruit people for all the open positions.
"We have positions available; we are filling them," said the mayor.
The recruitment in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg will concentrate on students at post-secondary institutions.
"There are increasing demands in Calgary and across the province to hire new police officers and participating in information sessions and career fairs is integral to our success," said Staff Sgt. Craig Skelton of the recruiting unit in a news release.
