New Applicant Hiring Process
Embarking on the journey to become an Edmonton Police Officer is both exciting and rewarding. All new EPS Recruits hired as a sworn police officer begin their careers in patrol. The 8-Stage process is used to both identify and ensure that EPS hires the best possible applicants to become Edmonton’s next generation of police officers. The process typically takes 4 – 8 months.
Minimum Requirements
Character Requirements
The Edmonton Police Service values diversity in geographical, educational, and sociocultural backgrounds of its police service. Edmonton is a growing, diverse city and the individuals we hire reflect the dynamic needs of its population. While we celebrate the differences of our (over 2,000) police officers, we are united by working together to achieve our strategic vision.
The fundamental requirement needed to successfully become an EPS officer is a desire to help people. We hire people who, above all else, are driven by compassion, community, and a desire to serve others. We are looking for people who are motivated to inspire those around them, instill confidence in others, make tough choices, challenge themselves, and reflect a positive attitude that upholds the values of the Edmonton Police Service.
This role can influence the lives of many. During the application process, our recruitment constables assess recruits based on their ability to demonstrate:
- A commitment to EPS’ values of integrity, accountability, respect, innovation, courage and community
- Compassion and empathy toward others
- Ability to keep a positive attitude
- Leadership and concise decision-making
- An ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Good interpersonal & communication skills
- A flexible and adaptable mindset
- An ability to be a team player
Minimum Application Requirements
- Age: You must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application.
- Criminal Conviction: You must not have a criminal conviction for which a pardon has not been granted.
- Citizenship: You must be a Canadian citizen or legal permanent resident at the time of application.
- Physical and Health Standards
- You must be in excellent health with no impending conditions.
- You must meet visual and hearing examination standards.*
- You should be prepared to pass the physical readiness evaluation is a component of the process. Learn more on fitness requirements & programs like Run with Recruiters.
- Education and Employment
- You must hold a Grade 12 high school diploma (Alberta standard) or equivalent; for International Applicants, an IQAS certificate or WES certificate is required.
- You must possess good written and verbal skills in English. Written communication testing will be included in the selection process.
- EPS recommends applicants have two years of recent and verifiable employment, and/or two years of post-secondary education.
- Other Certifications
- You must possess a valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s license. A graduated driver’s license is not acceptable.
- A good driving record is essential (maximum of five demerits). You must be comfortable operating a vehicle in busy driving conditions.
- You must possess a current certificate in standard first aid.
- Must be a minimum 16-hour course with Provincial Occupational Health and Safety approval. A certificate must be issued within one year prior to the date of application. Re-qualification may be necessary for some components after one year.
- A current “Level C” certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Must have standards equivalent to those of the Canadian/American Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Online Application
The EPS accepts applications online through a provincial-wide application system – APATS. To begin the application process, applicants will need to create an APATS account and then apply to the Edmonton Police Service constable job posting.
Completing the online application is a time-consuming process, and it is recommended you take your time to be accurate, and thorough and try not to finish applying in one session. The system allows you to log in and out as many times as you need to complete it.
Once submitted, your application will be pre-screened by the Recruiting and Selection Unit to ensure it is complete and that you meet the minimum requirements. If you pass pre-screening, you will be notified and will move to the next stage of the selection process. If your application is not complete, a member of the Recruiting and Selection Unit will contact you about any missing material or outstanding issues.
Note: Applications are valid for one year from the date of submission. If you have been out of the application and selection process beyond one year, you are required to submit a new application. Applicants may be deferred without appeal at any of the eight stages in the selection process. In some cases, permanent disqualification from reapplication may occur irrespective of deferral policy.
Want to try taking the exam before officially starting the official application process? You can do that! For more info please see the APCAT page.
Written Testing
After submission of a complete application package, suitable applicants will be contacted by a member of the Recruiting and Selection Unit to schedule the testing date for the Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test (APCAT).
The APCAT is a formal test and your professionalism will be assessed at this stage and every subsequent stage thereafter. Make sure to arrive on time (we suggest 5-10 minutes early) and dress in appropriate business attire. Successful completion of the APCAT exam will advance you to Stage 3.
Want to try taking the exam before officially starting the official application process? You can do that!
For registration and additional info please see the APCAT page. Passing scores for the APCAT are valid for five years.
Physical Readiness Evaluation (A-PREP)
The Alberta Physical Abilities Readiness Evaluation for Police Officers (A-PREP) is the physical assessment standard of recruit constable applicants. This assessment simulates the environments and situations police officers often encounter.
A-PREP has three parts:
- A medical screening questionnaire
- A pursuit/restraint circuit that mimics tasks that may be performed on the job
- An aerobic shuttle run that tests overall fitness
For registration and additional info please see the A-PREP page. An A-PREP pass is valid for six months.
Behavioural Descriptive Interview (BDI)
The EPS interviews and tests applicants around six competencies a patrol constable must possess to function in their position. A series of behavioural questions, related to experiences or events in the applicant’s past, are designed to evaluate the six competencies:
- Adaptability/decisiveness
- Initiative/perseverance
- Interpersonal skills
- Organizational skills
- Stress management
- Valuing service and diversity
The BDI is conducted by retired members of the EPS who have worked in a variety of areas within the EPS and have specific interview training. BDI Interviews are booked through the recruiting office and applicants who successfully complete the BDI move on to Stage 5.
Personal Disclosure Interview
The personal disclosure interview (PDI) is a one-on-one interview conducted by the applicant’s file manager (a sworn member of the EPS assigned to the Selection Unit). During this three-hour interview, the applicant’s application and personal disclosure form will be reviewed and discussed. As with all stages of the process, the applicant’s honesty is vital.
We understand that circumstances and decisions in the past have lead to difficult situations, however its important candidates are truthful about their previous choices and actions during the entirety of the application process.
Appointments for the PDI are booked through the applicant’s file manager. Applicants who successfully complete the PDI move to Stage 6.
Polygraph Interview
All applicants participate in a polygraph interview as part of the selection process. The purpose of the pre-employment polygraph examination is to prevent infiltration and/or corruption within the Edmonton Police Service. For more information about the Polygraph Interview, please see the Polygraph section in the FAQ.
EPS Polygraph Examiners are trained at the Polygraph School at the Canadian Police College which is accredited by the American Polygraph Association.
Appointments for the polygraph examination are scheduled through the recruiting office. Applicants who successfully complete this stage may move on to Stage 7.
Psychological & Medical Examination
Psychological Examination
Candidates will undergo two multiple-choice computer-based psychological tests administered on-site:
- the Inwald Personality Inventory-2 (IPI-2) Assessment
- the 16PF (Personality Factors) Questionnaire
The tests are followed by a clinical interview by a contracted psychologist. Appointments for the psychological evaluation are scheduled by the Recruiting and Selection Unit.
Medical Examination
Applicants undergo a thorough medical examination by a physician contracted through the City of Edmonton. Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date immunization record. Appointments for the medical examination are scheduled by the Recruiting and Selection Unit.
Applicants who successfully complete this stage will move on to Stage 8.
Background Investigation
This stage is the final step in the selection process. A thorough background investigation including social media accounts, enhanced security and credit checks are undertaken on the applicant and the applicant’s spouse/common-law partner/significant other.
If an applicant has any previous police training or has served as an employee in any law or by-law enforcement agency, they are required to submit the following:
- All internal affairs checks (past, present, and pending complaints)
- Annual performance reviews
- Training records
Upon successful completion of the selection phase, applicants are issued a score based on their progress through each stage of the testing. The applicant’s file is then submitted to a review committee that determines whether the applicant is to be offered employment. The applicant’s file manager will contact the applicant with the committee’s decision.
Craig Hunt
/Recruitment Office
Ready to Apply?
- Review and familiarize yourself with the above 8-stage application process
- Review the minimum requirements
- Set time aside to complete your APATS account & application. When submitting your application, please ensure you are accessing APATS from a laptop or desktop computer.
To complete your online application in APATS you will be required to submit the following:
- Education and employment history
- 8 personal references (references cannot be related to you nor can they be from current or previous employers)
- Personal disclosures
- Credit history
- Authorization for Release of Information
- Declaration – Notice to Applicant
- Security Clearance Declaration
In addition, you will also have to scan and upload the following supporting documents:
- Driver’s license or Passport (photo page)
- Proof of citizenship/residency (birth certificate, citizenship or permanent resident card).
- Proof of social insurance number
- High school diploma (or GED) and official transcripts, or, for international applicants, IQAS certificate or WES certificate
- Post-secondary diplomas/degrees and official transcripts (if applicable)
- 3 year driver’s abstract dated within 3 months of submitting application
current first aid and CPR certificates - Pardons (if applicable)
- Completed vision report
- Completed Supplemental Vision Report (if applicable)
- Completed hearing report
