Police Officer

The Alberta Provincial Policing Standards are intended to ensure that police services in the province are delivered effectively, efficiently and impartially to all persons, and conducted in a manner that maintains the trust and respect of the public. 

While precise duties vary considerably across the LPS, some general responsibilities are listed here (please note that this list is not exhaustive):    

• Engage and collaborate with residents, community groups, businesses and employees to share information, identify problem areas, analyze problems and prepare and implement action plans
• Conduct investigations
• Effect an arrest and issue and explain official documents in a manner that meets legal requirements, including executing warrants, informing arrested persons of rights, serving a summons, issuing release documents/procedures, processing prisoners, etc.
• Evaluate and establish control at emergency calls/situations
• Control, assess and mediate during situations at disturbances and complaints
• Observe and check people, vehicles, property and areas to identify indications of criminal activity or other needs for police intervention
• Organize, prioritize and document information
• Prepare for and attend court, as required
• Enforce traffic regulations
• Assist victims, including referring them to appropriate agencies and resources

• 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 with no more than five (5) demerit points
  
  
• 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
    
    
• Submit a vision report that meets the minimum vision requirements outlined in the Alberta Provincial Policing Standards
  
  
• Submit a hearing report that meets the minimum hearing requirements outlined in the Alberta Provincial Policing Standards
  
  
• Be in excellent physical condition as demonstrated by the successful completion of the Alberta Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police (APREP)
  
  
• Must obtain medical clearance from a physician to participate in physical readiness/fitness evaluation
  
  
• Good demonstrated moral and ethical behaviour

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 Police Service Employment Application Form
  • Personal Disclosure Form
  • Supporting documents:
  • • Valid Class 5 Driver's License
    • Driver’s Abstract dated within one year of application with no more than five (5) demerit points
    • Proof of Canadian Citizenship (e.g. Canadian Passport or Confirmation of Permanent Residency documents)
    • 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
    • Vision report that meets the minimum vision requirements outlined in the Alberta Provincial Policing Standards
    • Hearing report that meets the minimum hearing requirements outlined in the Alberta Provincial Policing Standards
      
      
• Visit the BambooHR Career Portal and submit your completed application package with ALL the supporting documentation listed above
  
  
• Complete the Alberta Police Cognitive Abilities Test (APCAT).  Please be aware that applicants can arrange to write the APCAT before or during the application process. Contact the Recruiting Unit for more information
  
  
• After reviewing the application package, the LPS Recruiting Unit will arrange for the completion of the Alberta Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police (APREP) 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:
  • APREP Consent Form
  • APREP Medical Form
    
    
• A Personal Disclosure Interview will be scheduled for competitive applicants after the application package is reviewed and the APCAT and APREP are successfully completed
  
  
• The Behavioral Descriptive Interview will be scheduled for applicants who are still competitive after the Personal Disclosure Interview
  
  
• Psychometric testing, followed by a Psychological Interview, will be scheduled
  
  
• Integrity/Truth Verification Polygraph will be scheduled
  
  
• Security Clearance Check will be conducted
  
  
• Background Check will be conducted
  
  
• Successful candidates are provided an offer of employment that is conditional on the satisfactory completion of the Police Constable Pre-Employment Medical Assessment

PLEASE NOTE: Some costs incidental to the application process may be incurred by the applicant. For example, costs associated with obtaining a driver's abstract, class 5 license, hearing and vision tests, etc. 

The APCAT is available to both potential and current candidates.  

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

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

The following forms must be completed and brought to testing day or the candidate will not be allowed to run:  

• APREP Consent Form
• APREP Medical Form

For more information about the APREP, see the Provincial Guidelines for Police Recruitment Selection: Alberta Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police document. 

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

After being selected, training takes place through a collaboration between Lethbridge Police Service and the Lethbridge College.

Once sworn in, a 22-23 week training program begins which entails:

• academic learning
• control tactics
• firearms
• driving
• physical training

During this time, as an employee, you are eligible for benefits, wages and can begin contributing towards your pension.

The program is both mentally and physically intense and will prepare you for further on the job training after graduation.

All new constables begin their career in the Patrol Unit and are typically eligible to apply for assignment to a specialized unit after three years of service.