Community Peace Officer

Community Peace Officers employed throughout the Province of Alberta are appointed under the Peace Officer Act. Within Lethbridge, CPOs are accountable to the City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Police Service and the Provincial Director of Law Enforcement to execute their assigned duties.  

An overview of these duties includes, but is not limited to: 

• Conduct foot and vehicle patrol to monitor and maintain public and traffic safety within the scope of their authorities. This includes observing people, vehicles, property and areas for indications of criminal activity or other needs for police intervention
• Respond to calls for service, initiate and conduct criminal investigations involving theft and mischief where the value of the property does not exceed $5000
• Control, assess and mediate during situations at disturbances and complaints, including calming down/reasoning with people, determining infractions and course of action and restoring order
• Prepare for and attend court (court preparation/brief, liaising with prosecutor, testifying, etc.)
• Enforce traffic regulations including but not limited to identifying violations/using laser/radar, signaling violators to stop, directing traffic and aiding motorists, as well as issuing summonses, appearance notices and roadside suspensions
• Assist victims, including referring them to appropriate agencies and resources
• Assist Commissionaires, Administrative Sergeant and Duty Staff Sergeant in monitoring prisoners within the short term holding facility, including ensuring meals are provided and medical needs are addressed
• Prepare Judicial Interim Release Hearing packages, forwarding them to the hearing office and providing prisoners with access to their bail hearings
• Consult and liaise with residents, community groups, businesses and other employees to share information, identify problem areas, analyze problems, prepare and implement action plans
• Provide supportive role when requested by police officers in areas such as traffic direction, perimeter or residence security, controlling barricades, investigative support within their mandate

• Minimum 18 years of age
  
  
• High School Diploma or equivalent
  
  
• Must be a Canadian Citizen or a Canadian Permanent Resident
  
  
• A valid Class 5 driver’s license
  
  
• Have no record of criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted, or any outstanding criminal or internal investigations prior to an offer of employment being made
  
  • Candidates who have lived outside of Canada for six (6) months or more over the past ten (10) years will need to demonstrate this by providing a Police Certificate from each country in which they have resided 
    
    
• Be in excellent physical condition as demonstrated by the successful completion of the *Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation (PARE)
  
  
• Must obtain medical clearance from a physician to participate in physical readiness/fitness evaluation
  
  
• Strong interpersonal skills including tact and diplomacy with an emphasis on customer service
  
  
• Strong computer skills and abilities
  
  
• Strong written and oral communication skills

*While the PARE is the standard tool scheduled and used by the LPS to determine physical readiness, a valid Correctional Officer Physical Abilities Test (COPAT), completed within six months of beginning training as a CPO, would also be accepted.

All components of the selection process will be administered, scored, evaluated and interpreted in a fair and uniform manner. The process can take up to six months to complete.

• Fill out/provide the following forms:
  • LPS CPO Application Form 
  • Personal Disclosure Form 
  • Supporting documents:
    • Valid Class 5 Driver's license
    • Proof of Canadian Citizenship (e.g. Canadian Passport or Confirmation of Permanent Residency documentation)
    • A Police Certificate from each country a candidate has resided in if they have been outside of Canada for six (6) months or more over the past ten (10) years
    • High School Diploma or equivalent
    • If applicable, proof/documentation of successful completion of a Level 1 Community Peace Officer Induction Program (CPOIP) from a provider authorized by the Director of Law Enforcement
      
      
• Visit the BambooHR Career Portal and submit your completed application package with ALL the supporting documentation listed above
  
  
• After reviewing the application package, the LPS Recruiting Unit will arrange for the Physical Ability Requirement Evaluation (PARE). The PARE (or an equivalent assessment) must be completed in under 4 minutes and 45 seconds to confirm physical readiness for service. The following forms must be filled-out and brought to testing day or the applicant will not be allowed to participate:
  • PARE Readiness Form
  • PARE Medical Examination Form
    
    
• A Personal Disclosure Interview will be scheduled for competitive applicants after the application package is reviewed and the PARE is successfully completed
  
  
• The Behavioral Descriptive Interview will be scheduled to candidates who are still competitive after the Personal Disclosure Interview
  
  
• Integrity/Truth Verification Polygraph will be scheduled
  
  
• Security Clearance Check will be conducted
  
  
• Background Check will be conducted
  
  
• Successful candidate(s) will be selected and given an offer to attend CPO Training from a provider authorized by the Director of Law Enforcement. 
  • Please note that the candidates selected will not be presented with a full-time offer of employment as a CPO until they have successfully completed both off-site CPO training and in-house LPS training.  

The PARE is available to current applicants after their applications are reviewed and approved.  

In preparation for the PARE, the following forms must be completed and brought to testing day or the candidate will not be allowed to run:

• PARE Readiness Form
• PARE Medical Examination Form

For scheduling information, email the Recruiting Unit directly or call 403-330-5077 during business hours.

• Applicants who are experienced CPOs must provide proof/documentation of successful completion of a Level 1 Community Peace Officer Induction Program (CPOIP) from a provider authorized by the Director of Law Enforcement
  
  
• Applicants who require their CPOIP certification must attend approximately 6 to 12 weeks of Level I CPO training from a provider authorized by the Director of Law Enforcement
  • During CPO Training, LPS will:
    • Cover the costs of tuition and lodging 
    • Provide applicants with a stipend of $1200/week (gross amount)
      
      
• Upon successful completion Level I CPO training, or proof of certification, cadets will receive an additional 4 to 7 weeks of training at LPS headquarters
  
  
• Employment will be offered to cadets who not only pass the required training courses, but also exhibit the Core Values of the LPS throughout the hiring process

• Community Peace Officers are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 70, and operate under their Collective Agreement
  
  
• Shift work is a part of the position and includes a rotation of days, evenings, nights and weekends