Canada Recruits British Police Officers

December 31, 2007...12:38 pm

Canada Recruits British Police Officers

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By Sarah Chapman, Calgary Herald

Ten years and 6488 km (4030 miles) later, two Scottish police officers who trained together in Glasgow once again found themselves in the same recruit class — this time, with the Calgary Police Service.

John Ross and Mark Dickson joined the Strathclyde Police service in 1997, but went their separate ways in specialized units within the force.

Mark Dickson, 34, left, and John Ross, 32, trained together 10 years ago to become police officers in Scotland. Now they're doing it all over in Calgary. Mark Dickson (34 yrs.) left, and John Ross (32 yrs.) from Scotland and are now policemen in Calgary (Canada). Photo: Ted Jacob, Calgary Herald
The two met again at an immigration seminar about a year and a half ago. They both talked about moving to Canada, but neither had decided which police service they would join. In a serendipitous turn, they both applied to the Calgary Police Service, moved to Cochrane, Alberta (Population Demographics) with their young families and even found themselves in the same recruit class once more. “We’re in the same course. It’s an absolute coincidence,” said Ross. “I can’t really believe it to be honest. I should have put money in the lottery.” While their reunion was unusual, their decisions to join the Calgary Police Service were not.

Ross and Dickson are two of more than 100 experienced officers who have been lured from their jobs in the U.K. by Calgary’s department in a desperate attempt to bolster the local ranks. Ross, 32, heard about the Calgary Police service in Glasgow during a recruitment drive and attended an information session the department held there. “I was obviously impressed,” he says.

“The police in Scotland are very modern police and it seemed that Calgary was just as modern and forward-thinking.” Ross was planning to start a family with his wife Angela, so the two sought more information about Calgary. They were impressed by the close proximity to the Rockies and seemingly safe streets here. “I worked in a really rough area of Glasgow. I feel safe here. I feel I can walk about the streets, which I couldn’t do in Glasgow off duty,” he said, adding his wife is now five months pregnant.

“That’s the reason we were looking to move. We were looking to start a family . . . I loved my job in the U.K. but I had to think about the future,” he said.

Dickson’s reasons for choosing Calgary were similar. He has a three-year-old boy, Adam. “Our move was based on his future and moving to what we see as a very family oriented society, a very safe, clean, modern society,” said Dickson. “Here, there’s a definite feeling of community. Your neighbours do show concern for you. Many brought me home baking, which wouldn’t happen in the U.K.”

Dickson believes that police services back home are starting to catch on. “I think they’re more and more aware that they are becoming a marketplace,” he said. “They are losing a lot of people to Canada and I think they’re very aware that they are up against the job market and people looking at police forces will look to other countries.”

Calgary also ranked high when compared with 27 major cities in the U.S., according to the report.

Calgary, Canada

Calgary’s place in the international bidding war for experienced officers is strengthened by the police service’s partnership with the ALBERTA government. The provincial nominee program (PNP) fast-tracks visas for applicants once they are deemed to be suitable recruits. While a visa would normally take five years to obtain… [U.K.] police recruits can receive their visa in about six months.

Constables Stewart O’Neill and Denise McPhee (Calgary Police) spent three weeks in London [England] and Glasgow [Scotland] last year to advertise for the Calgary Police Service and host a booth at an immigration show. They spoke to more than 500 people at the Canadian High Commission in London and held four information sessions with 50 potential recruits at each.

Written tests — a requirement for applicants — were conducted for 186 Brits. “We’ve hired 59 contracts under the provincial nominee program,” said O’Neill, adding another 46 U.K. officers have been hired after previously obtaining their visas. Nearly all of those recruits are experienced officers.

O’Neill himself was lured to Calgary’s police service from London. He was an officer when his wife qualified for a visa and the family started looking into suitable Canadian cities. It was a choice between Halifax, Vancouver or Calgary. In 2002, the family came to Calgary to explore the city.

“Calgary was heavily promoted in the U.K.,” he said. “We liked the location and economically, it was good for us. Coming here seemed the right thing.” Other factors also influenced O’Neill in his decision: a lower crime rate, a higher standard of living, minimal traffic and opportunities for his children to participate in sports.

The biggest consideration was the well-being of his family, which is likely the motivating factor for other U.K. recruits, according to O’Neill. >>Source HERE

[BASE PAY SCALE for the Calgary Police is over $75,300 -5 yr. Constable -- {**UPDATE: Add 10.25% pay increase for 2009 -- 2010}

This salary is also applicable to new recruits from the UK (with the relevant length of service). SOURCE

--->CURRENCY CALCULATOR<---

British EXPAT DISCUSSION Forum-----> HERE

UPDATE: Calgary (Alberta) Police are only accepting CV's or RESUMES (not applications) from U.K. Police Officers... until further notice.

>>>HOWEVER<<<

EDMONTON (Alberta) POLICE is STILL RECRUITING & fast-tracking (PNP) experienced BRITISH POLICE OFFICERS.

(Also check out the Ontario Provincial Police and Toronto Police, although there's no assistance with immigration in the province of ONTARIO.)

Edmonton Police SALARY (Equiv. 44,000 British Pounds with 5 yrs. -Jan 26/09- {Currency Fluctuates} [CURRENCY CALCULATOR]

+PLUS+

A $2,000 signing bonus will be awarded to successful applicants upon offer of employment with the Edmonton Police Service.

++PLUS++

A further $2,000 moving allowance will be given to successful applicants who reside more than 200 kilometres outside of EDMONTON upon offer of employment with the Edmonton Police Service.
—Salary Range >>CURRENCY CALCULATOR—

To personally contact ex-U.K. Officers who’ve successfully transitioned into the Edmonton Police Service Click HERE

Positions are still available for the (PNP) Provincial Nominee Program. All U.K. police officers must apply through the (PNP) program if you don’t have Permanent Residency (PR) status. For further questions or information, please e-mail HERE.

Former British policeman “David Copperfield” originator of –THE POLICEMAN’S BLOG– recently signed on with the EDMONTON POLICE Service.

EDMONTON Police Services RECRUITMENT

ONTARIO POLICE NOW RECRUITING in EUROPE HERE

ONTARIO Provincial Police >>>RECRUITMENT<<<

ONTARIO POLICE ASSOCIATION HERE

POLICE RECRUITMENT CLEARING HOUSE

U.K. OFFICE for the Province of ALBERTA