Hi,

Apologies if this is a repeat thread. I am current serving police officer in the UK with 3.5 years service. I have just returned from holiday visiting Calgary where I just happened to speak to several Calgary Police Officers who suggested applying due to a shortage of officers. Just wanted to find out if there is anyone on the forum that made the jump from UK to Canadian policing? I have had a look at the immigration process, and if I'm right, I would need to get a job offer before anything else could be done. Advice and replies are greatly appreciated. Thanks Kenny

I have heard Alberta is considering creating provincial immigration pathway for law enforcement.

As of last month, Alberta has agreed a provincial nomination scheme for police officers with a job offer. Edmonton is actively recruiting (advertising) for UK officers at the moment. Calgary isn't, but as I understand it, they will accept applications from UK officers as long as you agree to go out there to do the recruitment stages (condensed into one week).

If you're successful and score enough points on the CRS ranking system (not the full Express Entry one where you need 400+ points, just the initial eligibility check) then you'll be able to avail of the provincial nomination and apply for PR.

I'm in the final stages of the Edmonton process, I applied about ten months ago.

I would suggest emailing the Calgary recruiters and see what they say.

You may be interested in the Surrey Police Force which is recruiting and with a golden handshake of $10,000 if you meet their requirement. Unlike the RCMP, I don't think Surrey requires Canadian Citizenship so it may suit you.
Have a look at Experienced Officers | Surrey Police
DM me if the link fails or post a response.
I should add that I'm not a police officer (never have been), but I live in BC and happened to know about this opportunity.
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Had a chat with a recruitment officer at Calgary Police, who are recruiting from abroad, but unfortunately I don't meet the 67 point mark to apply,,,age and adaptability are against me. Same with Edmonton Police. Neither use the LMIA. Hope your final stages go well and good luck.

You could try a temporary work permit if you're eligible and then apply for a bylaw position. Canadian work experience may be enough to push you over the point to then qualify for PR?

I think it's worth trying to see if you like it here, but you should know that in my opinion the cost of living issues, increasing crime, densification and price of housing, lack of access to services etc. mean Canada isn't that appealing from a quality of life perspective anymore. I know many who have returned to the UK, moved back to their home countries (e.g. non-UK people) or to the US.

I think this is a real blanket statement, I’ve seen no increase in crime where I live. The cost of living issue is pretty much universal in all countries that ramped up spending and money printing over covid. The situation in the UK is certainly no better. As for housing, that is expensive but in Edmonton it has remained quite affordable.

As OP says, LMIA/work permit isn't an option for that job. Applicants have to be PR or citizens to work as police officers. So that would only be possible if the OP has experience in another kind of job and can get a job offer for that instead.

I'm suggesting apply for a temporary work permit for another job (if possible) then try for a bylaw position as they're much easier to obtain and more frequently posted than police positions in Alberta but they still have a NOC which provides points towards PR. I admittedly do not know the ins and outs of temporary permits but my friend did something similar to the above to get PR.

Calgary recently posted 28 bylaw officer positions.

It's a statement based on what I experience and what is happening. If that isn't what you're experiencing then good for you, but it doesn't mean this isn't a reality in Calgary.

There has been a significant and noticable uptick of crime in my town. Car thefts were unheard of and now they're common, 2 trucks stolen on my street this year and I'm in a smallish town. Shootings were never heard of and now there have been a couple in my town and many in the suburbs of South Calgary.

Alberta deployed Sheriff's in downtown Calgary to bolster the police because of a rise in crime, they responded to over 1600 calls in the short pilot program.

Transit has hugely increased peace officer numbers because of rising crime.
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local...afety-strategy

The stats in that article show an increase of over 30,000 calls for service on transit alone in 1 year.

​​​​​​Ca lgary riverfront didn't have tents and open drug use 4 years ago, now there are significant areas around east village on both sides of the river.

This is the reality in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer and so the OP should be aware as this relates to Alberta.

Yep, I agreed, but as I said that only works if the OP has experience in another job and can therefore get a LMIA for it. For the employer to be granted the LMIA they'll have to show he's the most qualified and experienced for the job over any Canadians that apply.

Bit late to this thread but this is the correct answer. Reach out to Calgary recruiting. There is a UK guy starting in classes on Monday so it can happen. 🙂

OP has already done that, but doesn't score enough to qualify/get a visa unfortunately.

notbrazil hello, sorry but I can't DM for some reason, this is first time using this site as well and I only created an account to find out more information. I can see that you completed the application to Edmonton and were waiting for an answer? Did you get the good news? If so, how long did you have to wait to hear back from the selection committee? My application account has been saying selection comittee since January and I originally applied in April 2024 and haven't heard anything back since! From reading other posts, you have to have a job offer before applying for PR, is that true as well.
Thank you

Hi, I also noted that West Australia were also advertising for police on Indeed UK (my nephew is a young police officer here in the UK) and my SIL has “told” me not to mention anything about policing overseas to him even though he is really fed up with work at the moment. Good luck