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Reserve Officer

reserveAre you thinking about a career in policing? Or maybe you just want to give back to your community? Many of our volunteer Police Reserves go on to pursue a policing career, and many more just want to play a part in helping the community stay safe for all to enjoy.

Whatever your reason for joining us, the Reserve Program offers an exciting and challenging volunteer experience. The Victoria Police Reserve Program is recognized throughout the Canadian policing community as a leader in the development and delivery of community based Reserve Officer Policing.

Through the Victoria Police Reserve Constable Program volunteers receive first hand experience in working with the Victoria Police Department (VicPD), delivering Crime Prevention programs to citizens and businesses. 

Some of the programs members participate in include: Lock Out Auto Crime, Home/Business Security Audits, Safety Presentations, and Block Watch. Reserve members are also involved in many community events which include mall displays, fingerprint clinics and conducting traffic control at parades, marathons and other community events. As well, Reserve members can participate in a ride-along program, accompanying a police officer and assisting and observing in their duties.

What To Expect

All successful Reserve Members are expected to:

  • volunteer a minimum of 10 hours a month. Minimum standards must be met in 10 out of 12 months during the year.
  • Complete Use of Force recertification training days.

In return for the volunteer hours that have been committed, the VicPD will provide you with:

  • Four months of intensive basic training
  • Exciting opportunities to participate in the delivery of Crime Prevention Programs
  • Opportunity to assist regular members in Patrol and Traffic Enforcement
  • Opportunity to assist with special events
  • Access to the department's physical training facilities
  • Access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
  • Promotional opportunities
  • Uniforms and dry cleaning service

During the application process, Reserve candidates will be required to:

  • Pass the Physical Testing - P.O.P.A.T (Police Officer's Physical Ability Test) and Lifestyle Evaluation. Click here to see the POPAT course layout.
  • Pass the Language Proficiency Index Examination. Click here to see more information about the L.P.I. exam

Training for the Reserves

Successful candidates must complete the basic Reserve Officers training mandated by the Ministry of the Solicitor General's office. Training takes about 4 months with classes held 1-2 evenings a week and 1 weekend day. Candidates study legal issues, crime prevention, traffic, professionalism and ethics, communication tactics and self defense training. Practical and written exams are held for self defense and communications and two Provincial written exams are given on classroom studies. The Provincial written exams are conducted by the Justice Institute of BC. Training also has a strong physical/team building component. There is a minimal grade of 70% for all exams. .

What You Need to Apply

  • Minimum age 18 years (must turn 19 years of age prior to the end of the 6 month training period)
  • No criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted
  • Valid Basic First Aid Certificate and CPR
  • Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant
  • Visual acuity must be no poorer than 20/40, 20/100 uncorrected and 20/20, 20/30 corrected. Applicants having corrective laser surgery must wait three months from time of surgery before the Reserve training ends
  • Grade 12 education
  • Valid Drivers License, with a record indicative of responsible driving habits
  • Demonstrated fit and healthy lifestyle
  • Meet the medical requirements of the Victoria Police Department
  • Maturity derived from varied life experience
  • Demonstrated sensitivity to people whose culture, lifestyle or ethnicity is different than your own
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Successful background investigation

Contact Us

For further info, please contact Cst. Dale Sleightholme at 250-995-7318.

You can reach us by mail at:

Victoria Police Department
Victoria Reserves Constable Program
850 Caledonia Ave.,
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
V8T 5J8

Telephone: (250) 995 - 7654
Main Administration Fax: (250) 384-1362

We look forward to hearing from you.