Amherst Police Department

Employment Opportunities: Permanent Full Time Police Officer
Closing Date for Resumes Sept 12th; Start Date SEPT/OCT 2010

 

PRE-REQUISITES

You must:

APPLICATION PROCESS

  If you meet the pre-requisites, please forward your resume and cover letter identifying any additional assets you may possess that would be an asset to APD along with copies (originals will not be returned) of the documents list below to:

Amherst Police Department
45 Victoria Street East
Amherst, Nova Scotia
B4H 1X4
Attention: Recruiting Officer
or via e-mail to the attention of Chief of Police: HiringAPD@town.amherst.ns.ca

Q. Where do I get these certifications?
You or someone in your family should have copies of your birth certificate, academic Grade 12 transcript and your driver's license.

You can apply for and get your driver's abstract by visiting any Access Nova Scotia office. There is a nominal charge for this service. If you live outside of Nova Scotia , you can visit your local Motor Vehicle Registry office.

St. John Ambulance, the Canadian Red Cross and the Life Saving Society offer Standard First Aid and CPR training. A placement agency or school can conduct a typing test.




COMPETITION PROCESS

Only applicants selected to take part in the competition process will be contacted. 

Written Exam
Applicants must complete a written exam.  The exam is designed to assess the applicants knowledge in the area which relates directly to policing.  This will include but not be limited to the Criminal Code, Other Federal Statutes, police tactics/procedures, and case law.  No reference material will be available to the applicant when writing the exam.

Board Interview
The interview is designed to assess if the applicant possess the competencies required to be a member of the Amherst Police Department.  The interview consists of behavioral based scenario questions.  Behavioral questions require the candidate to provide specific examples from their life experience.

APD competencies are:

Knowledge & Abilities, Motivation/Conscientiousness, Personal Effectiveness, Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork, Common Sense/Judgement, Leadership, Integrity/Honesty/Impartiality, Sensitivity/Acceptance, Adaptability/ Flexibility, Communication Skills.



Reference Checks/Security Clearances
Applicants will be investigated to determine if they are suited for a position with Amherst Police Department. Applicants will be required to provide a list of professional references. The department will be speaking with previous employers, supervisors and co-workers, police and non-police. You will be required to sign a consent form which authorizes Amherst Police Department to interview references.

CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

The successful applicants will be provided a conditional offer of employment and will commence employment with the department. The continuation of employment with APD is dependant on the applicant successfully completing all the requirements of the conditional offer of employment within the allotted time frames.

The conditions are:

Polygraph - a Polygraph examination arranged by APD. The results of the polygraph examination must support that the applicant’s ethics and character are suitable to be a member of APD.

PARE Testing - Applicants must complete the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation. Not required if completed within the past 12 months. Documentation of proof required.

Financial Background/Credit Check. - The applicant must provide a current Credit Report from a Canadian Credit Bureau designated by the department.

Medical Exam - Applicants must successfully meet the standards of the Amherst Police Department, and the Province of Nova Scotia. The medical exam will be conducted by a physician designated by APD.

Eye Exam - Applicants must successfully meet the vision standards of APD as follows:

  • Uncorrected Vision: (without eyewear and without squinting)
  • 6/18 (20/60) in each eye, or 6/12 (20/40) in one eye and up to 6/30 (20/100) in the other
  • Corrected Vision: (with eyewear) 6/6 (20/20) in one eye and up to 6/9 (20/30) in the other
  • Color Vision: must be normal (assessed on each individual basis)
  • Visual Fields: must be normal

    • Laser Surgery - Candidates who have undergone Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy (P.R.K.) or Laser corrective surgery must provide written proof from a recognized optometrist confirming the following criteria:

  • The visual acuity standards are met
  • There are no corneal opacities, double vision, halo or glare problems
  • Night vision has been tested and found to be normal
  • The candidate has not undergone any laser or other corrective surgery for a full 3 months prior to the examination.

    • Primary Residence - Police Personnel must reside within 25 kms of Amherst. A period of 12 months is provided for compliance with this condition.

    SALARIES/BENEFITS/SHIFT SCHEDULE

    Salaries
    • APD constables reach the top of their pay scale after just two years.
    • Experienced officers may be eligible to start at the Level 2 or 3 pay scale, dependent on the length and type of policing experience.

    APD Constable Salary Scale:

    Pension
    The Police Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) pension plan is a Defined Benefit plan.

    Medical/Dental/LTD/Group Life Insurance
    Benefits are provided by Manulife Financial

    Vacation

    SHIFT SCHEDULE

    Platoon Officers
    The uniformed platoon officers work a 12 hour shift rotation. Each cycle consists of :
    • 2 Day shifts 0700 -1900
    • 2 Night shifts 1900 - 0700
    • 4 Days Off

    Flex Shift
    Newly hired officers are initially assigned to the 'flex shift'. The flex shift schedule is posted 2 weeks in advance and can be changed with 24 hours notice. The shifts consist of 8.10, 12 hours. Flex Shift members are assigned to a platoon on a seniority basis.

    EXPERIENCED OFFICERS

    APD does accept applications from experienced officers. The same hiring process is used for all applicants.

    Experienced officers hired may be eligible for a starting salary above Level 1 dependant on the length and type of policing experience.