Experienced Officer

Brandon Police Service and Human Resources have developed this competition information and application package for Experienced Police officers wanting to work for the City of Brandon. Information and documents required from an applicant to be considered in the competition are outlined in this handbook and in the application package.

Note: The City of Brandon reserves the right to amend the process should it be deemed necessary.

Step 1 – The Application Process

The application process for the experienced officer competition requires the submission of multiple forms. All the necessary forms are attached. Applications must be completed before the applicant will be considered for advancement in the competition. The minimum qualifications for applicants are:

• must be 18 years of age or older
• must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• must be fluent in the English language
• completed Grade 12, GED, or Mature Student
• completed a recognized Police Recruit training program, subject to review by Brandon Police Service to determine fit with the standards of Brandon Police Service and Province of Manitoba Justice
• serving members of a recognized Police Service or has served with a recognized Police Service during the last year
• valid Class 4 Province of Manitoba drivers license or equivalent
• driving record acceptable to Brandon Police Service standards
• meet vision, hearing, and training standards
• discipline record acceptable to Brandon Police Service standards

Applications and accompanying documentation will be reviewed to ensure it meets the qualifications.

Application Form

Along with submitting their application package, each applicant is required to complete the on-line application form.

Education

The education level required to compete is a minimum Grade 12 standing, G.E.D., or Mature Student standing. Proof of graduation is required in the form of a certificate or diploma. A transcript in place of a diploma is only acceptable if it contains a statement signed by the principal attesting to graduation requirements having been met. If that statement does not appear, it will not be accepted as proof of Grade 12 standing.

Applicants who have successfully completed other post-secondary education should attach documentation with respect to graduation.

Training Documentation

Applicants must, at a minimum, have successfully completed a recruit standard training course deemed to be acceptable by the Brandon Police Service. A syllabus of the recruit standard training course must be submitted with your application. Attach course certificates with your application.

Experience

Field experience is an asset.

Background/Polygraph

Applicants must provide a variety of references for background purposes. References must be competent to judge your character, temperament, and work habits. They must have a definite knowledge of your qualification and fitness for the position of Police Officer.

Applicants must also answer a variety of bona fide questions in order for the background investigators and the polygraph tester to assess your suitability for this position.

Driving Record

Applicants are required to have a valid Class 4 driver’s license. As good driving habits and ability are important traits in police officers, applicants will be subject to the scrutiny of their driving record. You must include with your application, a photocopy of your driver’s license and an original driver's abstract dated January 1, 2008, or later. The fee for obtaining the driver’s abstract is borne by the applicant.

Applicants with more than four (4) demerits as assessed by the Brandon Police Service will not be accepted into the competition.

If at any time during the competition process, there are changes in your driving record they must be reported to the Competition Administrator. Applicants with more than 4 demerits may be disqualified at this point.

Step 2 – The Skills Assessment Examination

Applicants accepted into the competition will be contacted to attend the skills assessment examination in Brandon. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions on the Criminal Code in the areas of the application of investigation procedures, powers of arrest, release procedures, search and seizure, and use of force along with questions on the Charter of Rights.

Step 3 – Police Officer’s Physical Abilities Test

All candidates are required to complete a physical abilities test to proceed in the competition.

The selected test is the Police Officer’s Physical Abilities Test (POPAT). The POPAT was developed by the British Columbia Department of Justice and is widely recognized as a bona fide physical abilities test of police applicants. It consists of an obstacle course that the applicant must complete within 4 minutes 15 seconds. The POPAT is a pass/fail step. Candidates are not ranked according to the time taken to complete the POPAT.

Prior to the POPAT, all candidates will be allowed to view and try out the equipment for the test. The POPAT Tester will walk the candidates through the course so they fully understand how the course is run. Candidates may ask questions at this time.

Immediately before starting the test, the POPAT Tester will check each candidate’s resting heart rate and blood pressure to ensure the candidates heart rate is not 100 beats per minute or higher and their blood pressure does not exceed 150/100 mg Hg.

There are no allowances made for age or gender difference between candidates. The standards set for each component are determined to be the minimum required standards for satisfactory performance in the position.

The test cost is $50 and is the sole responsibility of the candidate. The results will be immediately available to you on completion of the test.

Stopping the Test

You can withdraw at any time should you feel you cannot complete the test. You may also be stopped at some point during the test if the instructor feels you should not complete the test.

Tips:

• Arrange your schedule so that you have enough time to rest properly before you take the test.
• Pack appropriate clothing - we suggest shorts or sweat pants, t-shirt, and running shoes with a good grip.
• Keep moving after the test to bring your heart rate down to a resting rate

P.O.P.A.T. Medical Requirements

You are required to have your doctor complete a one-page questionnaire attesting to your physical suitability to participate in the Police Officers' Physical Abilities Test (P.O.P.A.T.) The questionnaire is found in the application package. All costs associated with this general examination are borne by the applicant.

The application package also contains a liability release that must be signed by the applicant and returned with their application. Appendix 2 detailed information about the POPAT test.

Step 4 - Interview

Candidates will be interviewed by a selection panel consisting of 2 members of the Brandon Police Service and a Human Resources representative. The interview will examine a number of job dimensions related to this position.

Step 5 – Psychological Testing

All advancing candidates will complete the psychological testing. The tests quantify a candidate’s perception of the roles of self and other specifics. The results objectively and quantitatively measure subliminally processed information which established the subject’s basic perceptions of roles and psychological stability. Candidates are not eliminated at this stage of the competition unless they do not complete the test.

Step 6 – Background Investigation

You are no doubt aware that a police officer must be of good character with no criminal record and no evidence of association with known criminals. At this step in the competition process, a background investigation is administered by a representative agency of the Brandon Police Service.

The complete application package and documentation is provided to the background investigator prior to the interview. The interview will be approximately 2 hours in length.

Step 7 – Medical Examination

At this stage, you will undergo a complete and detailed medical examination conducted by the City’s physician. A candidate will be dismissed at this step of the competition if the physician determines that the candidate has a physical condition which would prohibit them from performing the duties of Police Officer. The physician may be able to give you verbal results immediately.

All costs associated with this medical are borne by the City.

Mandatory Benefits

As a condition of employment, employees are required to participate in all benefit plans offered by the City of Brandon or negotiated through the collective bargaining process. Presently these benefits include

• Dental,
• Employee assistance program,
• Pension,
• Life Insurance,
• Disability Income Protection Plan

These are co-funded by the City and its employees. Other benefits include paid overtime, sick leave, maternity leave, and vacation entitlement which are tied to the collective agreement and length of service.

Optional Benefits

These plans are completely employee-funded. All optional plans are administered by Manitoba Blue Cross except for Voluntary Accident Insurance which is administered by the Municipal Employees Benefits Program (MEBP).

• Voluntary Accident Insurance up to $250,000 coverage available;
• Ambulance/Hospital Semi-Private Plan;
• Extended Health includes prescription drug and physiotherapy;
• Travel Health Plan

SALARIES (2024 Rates)

Note: Constables are required to serve a one (1) year probationary period. Progression from one classification to the next is on a 12-month basis, subject to satisfactory performance in the lower classification.

Experienced Constable: Entry level into the Police Service will be based upon your level of training and experience and can range from Probationary to 2nd Class judged on a case by case basis. Constables are required to serve a one (1) year probationary period. Progression from one classification to the next is on a 12-month basis, subject to satisfactory performance in the lower classification.

Vision Requirements

The Brandon Police Service has a vision standard which applicants must meet at the time of applying to the force. These tests must be completed by an optometrist. The standards are:

Visual Acuity

• Corrected vision (with glasses or contacts): Visual acuity must be at least 6/6 (20/20) in one eye and 6/9 (20/30) in the other.
• Uncorrected vision (without glasses or contact lenses): Visual acuity must be at least 6/18 (20/60) in each eye OR 6/12 (20/40) in one eye and at least 6/30 (20/100) in the other eye.
• This minimum vision acuity is required for safe performance of policing duties if glasses or contacts are lost or displaced.

Field of Vision

Must be at least 150 degrees continuous along the horizontal meridian and 20 degrees continuous above and below fixation with both eyes opened and examined together.

Depth Perception

Normal stereo vision (use of both eyes to judge distances) must be present. Stereo acuity must be a minimum of 70 seconds of arc or better on Titmus test.

Colour Vision Testing

Using any standardized Pseudo-Isochromatice plates (Ishihara, A-O, HRR, Dvorine). If you correctly identify all patterns presented in such tests, your colour-vision will be considered normal. If needed, further evaluation will be conducted with devices such as Farnsworth D-15 discs. If you demonstrate a colour-vision deficiency on the Farnsworth discs, you will not meet the vision standards requirements of the Brandon Police Service.

Laser Surgery

Applicants who have had corrective laser eye surgery will be required to provide proof of meeting the vision requirements for the first year after the surgery as a condition of employment.

Hearing Requirements

The Brandon Police Service has a hearing standard which applicants must meet at the time of applying to the force. These tests must be completed by an audiologist. The standards are:

Pure tone hearing loss in the worst ear must be no greater than the following:

OR

No greater than 30 dB at any one of the first three frequencies, and average of four frequencies no greater than 30 dB.

Police Service Policy concerning selection of recruits advises that a candidate can have no more than four (4) demerits as assessed by the Brandon Police Service.

To assist those who are involved in the review of driving records, the following criteria have been created. Below are listed the major offences under the Highway Traffic Act. These offences have a predetermined number of points assessed with a conviction.

Should a person have been convicted of the following offences under the Highway Traffic Act within five (5) years prior to the posting of the competition, they will be ruled ineligible:

• Section 76.1 HTA - Disobey Police Officer - 8 Demerits
• Section 95(1) HTA - Speeding in Excess of 49 Km/h - 8 Demerits
• Section 155(1) HTA - Fail to Exchange Accident Info -8 Demerits
• Section 155(2) HTA - Leave the Scene of Accident - 8 Demerits
• Section 155(3) HTA - Fail to Leave Information on Parked Vehicle/Object - 8 Demerits
• Section 188 HTA Careless Driving - 8 Demerits

Should a person have been convicted of the following offences under the Highway Traffic Act within three years prior to the posting of the competition, they will be ruled ineligible:

• Section 170 HTA - Misuse Registration/License - 4 Demerits
• Section 171 HTA - Alter/Misuse Plate - 4 Demerits
• Section 217(1)(a) HTA - Littering - 4 Demerits
• Section 222(2) HTA - Park to Obstruct - 4 Demerits
• Section 224(1) HTA - Make a False Statement - 4 Demerits
• Section 226(1) HTA - Drive W/O Vehicle Insurance - 4 Demerits

There are many situations where a person may have four (4) or fewer demerits, but has a continuous history of poor driving. A review of the abstract will point out the obvious history. If this is the case and the history is poor, the application may be rejected.

Recent changes were introduced to driver’s abstracts to better meet the information needs of data users such as the police. These changes came into effect on May 1st, 1999. Since this date, Roadside Breathalyzer Suspensions appear on drivers abstracts and remain in place for five years. This means that any person who has had their driver’s license suspended for 24 hours with or without charge (i.e.: fail at roadside and blow under the chargeable % on the Breathalyzer or blow a warning on the roadside device) within the previous three years from the date of posting of the competition will be considered ineligible.

It stands to reason that if a person has a criminal record, then they would be excluded from the competition. In some instances, a criminal offence may be listed on a driver’s abstract. Under the Criminal Records Act, persons with a criminal record may apply for a pardon. Should a pardon be obtained, the criminal record would not exist and could not be used to assess suitability. A pardoned offence will continue to show on the driver’s abstract until a request to have it removed has been made to Driver and Vehicle Licensing. Should an applicant not realize that the pardoned offense was not removed from his/her abstract and hands in application, the application will be rejected.

Convictions for criminal offences are maintained on a drivers abstract for ten years. Any applicant with a conviction for the following offences within the 10-year period prior to the date of the posting of the competition will be ruled ineligible. (As stated previously, this would not apply to a person who has obtained a pardon.)

• Section 219 CC - Criminal Negligence - 15 Demerits
• Section 220 CC - Criminal Negligence (Death) - 15 Demerits
• Section 221 CC - Criminal Negligence (Injury) - 15 Demerits
• Section 249(1) CC - Criminal Negligence/Motor Vehicle - 15 Demerits
• Section 249(1)(a) CC - Dangerous Driving - 10 Demerits
• Section 249(3) CC - Dangerous Driving/Injury - 15 Demerits
• Section 249(4) CC - Dangerous Driving/Death - 15 Demerits
• Section 252(1) CC - Leave Scene of Accident - 15 Demerits
• Section 253(a) CC - Impaired Driving - 10 Demerits
• Section 253(b) CC - Drive Over .08 - 10 Demerits
• Section 254(5) CC - Refuse Sample - 10 Demerits
• Section 255(2) CC - Impaired Cause Injury - 15 Demerits
• Section 236 CC - Manslaughter - 15 Demerits
• Section 259(4) CC - Drive While Disqualified - 10 Demerits
• Section 334 CC - Theft (Vehicle) - 10 Demerits
• Section 335 CC - Take Auto Without Consent - 10 Demerits
• Section 354 CC - Possession of Property Obtained by Crime - 10 Demerits
• Section 355 CC - Misuse of Auto Keys - 10 Demerits
• Section 430(4) CC - Mischief to Property (Vehicle) - 10 Demerits
• Section 434 CC - Arson to a Motor Vehicle - 10 Demerits

It has to be remembered that past performance can indicate future performance, but at the same time recognize that people can change. These criteria are an attempt to strike a balance.

Is my pension transferable?

Currently, the City of Brandon has reciprocal agreements with:

• • • Manitoba Civil Service Superannuation Board
    • Winnipeg Civic Employees’ Benefit Program
    • Public Service of Canada
    • Saskatchewan Public Employees’ Benefits Agency
    • Manitoba Healthcare Employee Benefit Plans
    • Brandon University
    • Canadian Union of Public Employees
    • Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System

If we do not have a reciprocal transfer agreement with your previous employer, we may be able to arrange an Individual Transfer.  It is important to note that there are time restrictions within reciprocal transfer agreements and if you are considering a reciprocal transfer, contact our office as soon as you become employed with a MEBP participating employer or an employer that participates in a reciprocal agreement with MEBP.

You can also contact your current pension provider and ask questions, or call MEBP (Manitoba Employees Benefit

MEBP Website:  www.mebp.mb.ca

Will I lose my seniority?

As is the case with most police agencies, the Brandon Police Service seniority is indicated by badge number and a person’s placement within a hiring competition.  While previous experience is an asset to the Brandon Police Service, it will not reflect on your seniority level within the Brandon Police service and your time with another police service will not transfer over.

How many weeks of annual leave will I receive?

Upon an experienced officer completing training, a sworn member on platoon (working 12-hour shifts) will receive 144 hours of FLOATER TIME, 80 hours of ANNUAL LEAVE and an additional 96 hours of STAT LEAVE.  This is currently under review.

I am an officer with international or military experience, do I qualify as an experienced officer/

At this time, you must apply as a recruit and will be required to attend the Public Safety college course upon hire.

What class will I lateral to with the Brandon Police Service

Class is determined by years of service from your previous agency.  For example, a lateral recruit with seven years of experience will enter the Brandon Police Service as a Second Class Constable until their probation period is complete.  Upon completion, the member will then become a First Class Constable.

For wages, please see Salary and Benefits (Experienced)

Will I receive benefits?

The Brandon Police Service is part of the City of Brandon Blue Cross Benefit Program.  Upon receiving your Offer of Employment to the Brandon Police Service, Human Resources will discuss your options.

What will be work schedule be/

A lateral recruit is required to complete field training and will normally start on platoon duty.  Platoon members work 12-hour shifts.  These shifts consist of two days, followed by two nights with four days’ rest.

I have specialized training that requires maintenance, will I be able to continue with this with the Brandon Police Service?

The Brandon Police Service Training Coordinator will gladly work with members to maintain currency in their respective specialization.

Who covers my travel expenses if i need to travel for court?

Your previous police service is responsible for covering any costs associated should you be required to return for a court appearance.

What specialty units does the Brandon Police Service have?

The Brandon Police Service has several specialized departments:

• • • Criminal Investigation Unit
    • Crime Support Unit
    • Intelligence (CISM, Meth Investigator, Youth Intelligence)
    • Traffic
    • Forensic Identification Unit
    • School Liaison Officers
    • Canine
    • Training and Recruitment
    • Instructor Secondment
    • Community Services
    • Specialty Teams (Crisis Negotiators, Incident Command, Tactical Response)

How long until I am able to apply for a specialty unit?

An experienced officer is required to complete three (3) years of service with the Brandon Police Service to become eligible for any specialized position.

What kind of training am I required to completed upon hire?

Lateral recruits are required to complete a minimum of three weeks in-house training.  This training includes:

• • • Firearms Transition
    • Use of Force
    • Brandon Police Service Policy
    • City of Brandon Orientation
    • Any other required training or updating (radar, laser, ASD etc)

Once completed, you will begin the Field Training Program.  This program will be tailored to your previous years of service.  At this time, you will be partnered with a Field Training Officer and complete a set period of shifts prior to being signed off.

When will i be able to apply for a promotion?

In order to be eligible to apply for a promotion, you must complete six (6) years of policing with the Brandon Police Service on or before the date of the promotion posting.