The Vancouver Police Department employs Special Municipal Constables as jail guards, traffic authority, and community safety officers. These positions can lead to a career as sworn police officers.
Community Safety Officers assist regular patrol officers with various lower-risk tasks, such as picking up statements, outside perimeter security at police incidents, transporting and tagging property, and providing support at major events and emergencies.
Jail Guards book, search, guard, escort, and take care of the people in our custody. They maintain records and respond to emergencies and potentially dangerous situations with their co-workers and supervisors.
Traffic Authority keeps the traffic moving in Vancouver, directing traffic at public, private, and community events.
- Minimum 19 years of age
- Grade 12 diploma or GED equivalent
- Physically fit and in excellent health
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- A valid BC Class 5 driver’s licence with no restrictions and a good driving record
- Vision corrected to 20/20 and must meet colour vision standards
- No business or employment conflict of interest
- No criminal convictions, no adult criminal charges pending
- No history of improper conduct, or poor employment, education or driving record, that would affect your suitability for uniform duties
- Valid standard first aid / CPR certification (minimum 16-hour course meeting provincial standards, issued within one year prior to application date – current “Level C” CPR certificate equivalent to Canadian / American Heart and Stroke Foundation)
- Fluency in a second language would be an asset
Traffic Authority
There are no set hours for Traffic Authority shifts. You can tailor your availability around your work or school schedule, or other commitments. The minimum requirement is to work 100 hours in one year.
Salary
- Step 1 $22.18
- Step 2 $23.95
- Step 3 $25.98
A total of 1500 hours of work is required to advance to the next step.
Benefits
- uniforms and equipment are supplied
- uniform cleaning is provided
- 12% in lieu of benefits
Jail Guard
Jail Guards begin as auxiliary employees. The schedule is based on staffing needs in the jail and on the guards’ availability. Part-time auxiliary Jail Guards can advance to a full-time position, dependent on vacancies and qualifications.
A full-time workweek consists of:
- four days on, four days off
- 12-hour shifts – two days (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and two nights (6 p.m. to 6a.m.)
- 2,191 hours annually
Salary
Full-time guards move up a step in pay annually and auxiliary guards after 2,088 hours.
- Step 1: $26.63 hourly
- Step 2: $28.91 hourly
- Step 3: $31.26 hourly
Benefits (for full-time jail guards)
- three weeks of annual holidays to start
- overtime pay when working holidays
- uniforms and uniform cleaning supplied
- medical and dental coverage
- access to gym facilities (guards are expected to be physically fit)
Community Safety
The VPD employs both full-time and part-time Community Safety Officers.
A full-time workweek consists of:
- four days on, four days off
- 11-hour rotating shifts – (7 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
Part-time community safety officers work the same rotating shifts, but also participate in projects, where shifts vary in length.
Salary
Full-time Community Safety Officers move up a step in pay annually and part-time officers after 2,088 hours.
- Step 1: $22.18
- Step 2: $23.95
- Step 3: $25.98
Benefits
- Overtime pay for stat holidays and when maximum weekly hours are exceeded
- Uniforms and uniform cleaning supplied
- Access to gym facilities
- 12% in lieu of benefits to start – 16% once 2030 hours have been worked
- Attend a mandatory Information Session at the JIBC New Westminster campus. Please dress professionally.
- Download and print an application package – mail the completed package to:
2120 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC V5K 5J5
OR
You can drop off the package in a sealed envelope marked “Attention: Recruiting” at our Public Information Counter.
- Your forms will be reviewed by a Recruiting detective who will invite you to a scheduled exam sitting
- Entrance exam – a score of 50% is required to pass (sample written exam)
- Correctional Officer Physical Abilities Test (COPAT)
- Complete the Integrity and lifestyle questionnaire
- Intake interview by a Recruiting detective, which includes a review of your integrity and lifestyle questionnaire
- Polygraph examination
- Medical exam with your own doctor
- Background investigation
Training
Training consists of 13 to 16 weeks of paid training in legal studies, the Motor Vehicle Act, VPD policy and procedures, force options, and traffic control. It takes place at the Vancouver Police Department and the Tactical Training Centre.