The Police Services Act (R.S.O. 1990 c. P-15) outlines certain minimum requirements that candidates must meet to be considered for a career in policing. These include the background attributes and requirements listed.

The Process
The Cobourg Police Service subscribes to the OACP (Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police) Constable Selection System. There are four stages in this system that must be completed by all candidates wishing to become police officers.

a) Pre-Interview Assessment
The assessment consists of standardized tests carried out by the Applicant Testing Services, Inc. (ATS). The Cobourg Police Service does not perform Pre-Interview Assessments, but accepts assessments completed by the OACP approved private firm.

The assessment includes a:
a. Written aptitude test,
b. Written communication test,
c. Medical/physical skills test (vision, hearing, aerobic run, etc.)

For complete details on Pre-Interview Testing, contact the Applicant Testing Services Inc. at ApplicantTesting.com. Currently, the fee for Pre-Interview Testing is $288.90 (including GST).

b) Apply to the Cobourg Police Service
If, and only if, a candidate is successful through the Pre-Interview Assessment, application can be made to the Cobourg Police Service by sending us, in confidence:
1. A current resume, and
2. A valid OACP Certificate.

Candidates may also send a completed CPS Application Form and a CPS Authorization for Release of Information with their resumes, or they may complete these two forms at a later date.

Mail Applications to:

Cobourg Police Service
107 King St W
Cobourg, ON K9A 2M4

Be sure to include:
a. Resume (mandatory),
b. OACP Certificate (mandatory),
c. CPS Application Form (optional), and
d. CPS Authorization for Release of Information (optional)

c) Interview with the Cobourg Police Service
Upon review of a candidate's application package, a panel interview may be scheduled at the Cobourg Police Service. The candidate will be interviewed by police members trained in OACP recruitment and interviewing techniques.

The candidate will be required to demonstrate that he/she possesses the competencies required to be a police constable.

While waiting to be interviewed, a Pre-Background Questionnaire will be given to the candidate for completion. If the candidate is successful through the interview stage, a background check will be required.

d) Background Investigation
A thorough background investigation, including a credit and reference check, will be conducted. Also, a personality test will be administered and the candidate may be invited to an interview with a psychologist.

Then What?

If the candidate is offered a position within the Cobourg Police Service, he/she will be expected to complete a medical evaluation, which includes a medical history questionnaire and a comprehensive physical examination.

Once an offer of employment with the Cobourg Police Service is confirmed, the candidate will be placed on probation for six months.

All new recruits are hired as 'Cadets' and will attend an 11-week training program at the Ontario Police College (OPC) in Alymer, Ontario must be attended. After successful completion of the OPC program, members become 4th Class Constables of the Cobourg Police Service. and a further 10 weeks is spent on the road with a Coach Officer.

For more information, please contact:

Applicant Testing Services Inc.
540 Clarke Rd. # 14.
London, Ontario
N5V 2C7
1-800-429-7728

Cobourg Police Service
107 King St. W.
Cobourg, Ontario
K9A 2M4
(905) 372-2243

Ontario Police College
http://www.OPCOnline.ca/