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Post by Cpl Mike returns on Dec 7, 2005 9:49:32 GMT -5
I know that there are the "big names" agencies in the "North Country", and just like here in the U.S , most people want the big league Depts,ala LAPD,Chicago PD, NY PD, Boston PD,Miami PD , Detroit PD,etc- I've followed the threads as they chronicle the dreams of being a RCMP,Calgary PD, Vancouver ,Toronto,Edmonton ,PD ,etc- but I've always advocated the "get in where you can fit in" philosphy-Currently just heard that Vancouver Transit has created a full service Transit Police Dept.from what I've seen ,the pay scales of Depts from province to province are fairly similar,and even jobs such as your "special constables" of some of the College campuses' aren't that bad in pay-i think that for many of you that are tired of waiting for your "top" pick ,optional depts like this may just be what you are looking for.Supposedly this Transit,a dn other Transit Depts are up and coming, and who knows, maybe YOU can make the difference as well as make your mark in these specialized Depts....  |
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Post by burner on Dec 7, 2005 19:16:58 GMT -5
Aren't most of the Transit Police Ex-RCMP/Muni force anyways?
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Post by Cpl mike returns on Dec 8, 2005 7:00:33 GMT -5
..Actually, don't know in your neck of the woods( I'm down south in Killer Kalifornia- home of the drive bys,Courtney Love, on crack, Beretta using his "beretta"and the most expensive and beautiful POLLUTED beach front property you'll ever get robbed on while visiting).Here there is some dbl "dipping",i.e. retiring from one Dept then working a college Police,School Police, or Transit police agency to get a second retirement check, but on the most part since the 3%@ 50 and 3% @55 retirement clause, most coppers are just happy to get their 80- 90% pension and RUN away- alot of the traditonal and "specialized" depts are desperate for candidates, and its literally a "buyers" market for candidates that can meet the requirements- far too many choose private industry as there are less lifestyle restrictions, to working as a"cop"-leaving it open to the "die hard" serious, and the mediocre candidates (the ones who just need a job,any job).Just "figgered" that some cowpoke or cowgirl up north would jump on the transit policing gig and try to build their career in that capacity,instead of waiting for some of the Depts I've been reading about to arrogantly :"bless" you with a job that taxes your body,mind and spirit everyday.If Canada is anything like her sister down south ,crime is still a boom industry, the population is growing, and these Depts are getting gry in the head,so they need young blood! instead of breaking your heart ,go for the "no name" agency and make it a name-get in on the first floor.( Whose gonna' laugh when you say you're a transit cop, making the same pay as your municipal counterparts, and making the same arrests?)Once you start making the a good arrests and showing pride in the "new" dept, I'm sure the rest of the Cop community up there will show you respect.There always a way to make yyour "dreams come true if you are willling to sacrifice....
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Post by Romano on Dec 9, 2005 18:18:19 GMT -5
Mike, you are too right, after CPS deferred me I applied to Calgary Transit and got on. We are not "Police" but we are special Constables which have many of the same powers. We enjoy a very good relationship with CPS and with that comes many police-like responsibilities and expectations. I am still in training but so far I am very much enjoying it and I think this will be a great fit for me. We actually make more money than CPS for the first couple of years and we definitely are well paid and can earn a good living off our salaries. Good luck to those of you out there still trying...remain positive and keep plugging away at it, something will come along that will make everything work out.
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Post by Tprince on Dec 10, 2005 12:29:19 GMT -5
Romano....what is the appication process like for Calgary Transit?? Do they require a PARE exam? How long did it take from Application subit...to getting hired? Justa few questions.
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Post by Romano on Dec 10, 2005 14:45:25 GMT -5
Tprince, the application process is much shorter than CPS or RCMP with an interview done by two supervisors and then a some personal info sheets to fill out. Depending on how your interview goes they will conduct background checks with employers etc. and then they will let you know usually within a few weeks of interviewing. The thing is that you cannot just apply anytime like CPS. We are a small department and from time to time (usually once or twice a year) they will post a competition on the city website. The class before mine was hired 6 months before. They also do not require a PARE test or anything like that as a condition for applying. My best advice would be to keep an eye on the city website for postings and get some sort of security experience which is something they look for. I know that Initial Security is hiring officers for hospital security and the money is not too bad. I think starting wage is $14.50/hour. Probably the best wage for a "security" job anywhere in the city.
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Post by Cpl mike returns on Dec 11, 2005 20:23:51 GMT -5
Romano-I'm happy to hear you found a "niche"-read that the Calgary Transit is going full service policing and arming their Transit coppers (Special Constables). Curious,but are the duties limited to uniformed patrol or do they have detectives,plain clothesed/gang units,k-9s? If not ,try and push for them-it isn't hard and you can sell it to mgm't as "cost effective", and liability limiting- If CPS is doing the follow ups on your arrests and criminal filings, I wouldn't be surprised to see if they were happy with your own "detectives" filing some of that extra workload......
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Post by Cpl mike returns on Dec 11, 2005 20:47:57 GMT -5
Oopps! Got Calgary and Vancouver Depts mixed up ( sorry) still , looked up the Calgary info and it seems that you still face the same problems as your "street" counterparts-strange that some of the "Special constables" from province to province are armed only "optionally"-some carry guns,others just the full equip -minus side arms- are firearms crimse "up there" that much lower than in the U.S. ? or is it liability minded mgm't types that don't want it? Even here in CA, there are still public /community college PDs that aren't armed as well as Park Ranger Depts in urban areas-plain stupid situation, as for some reason mgm't types think crime STOPS when they come into diffrent surroundings like schools, bus depots,etc from the rest of the community........
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