Hi all.
Firstly Happy New Year to everyone.
Im in the process of going through the CPS recruitment drive. Im off to Calgary middle of Feb for further tests. The reason for the post was to mention CPS again and get people talking about Calgary.... come on everyone... i want to hear everyones stories who's out there and whos trying ! like me.
Luv to hear from everyone involved in the whole process.

All the best and good luck to everyone.

Mark

Hi,

I am going to Calgary in February for a research week with my husband, we have 8 and 10 years in Kent Police respectively and are seriously lookng at going out to Calgary also. We took the written tests in Oct 06 and paid our fees. We have not submitted our applications as yet; we are still looking into it. There is so much to do and its so daunting. We are determined however and will appreciate all the help we can get.
Good Luck with your tests in Feb.

Polly

Hi

I missed the testing in October as I was on holiday but I put in my application last month so just waiting to hear back!!

My husband and I went out last week to Calgary to have a look around and see if we liked it. I think we could be happy there. The scenery is a bit nicer than London, and everyone we met was so friendly and helpfull. The guy who served us in Applebees was advising us on the best places to live etc.

Anyway good luck to everyone else and stay in touch.

Sarah

Hi all

Just started with CPS in the 5th week of a 25 week training course. The class is a good mix, and there are several ex brit bobbies of varying experience in two classes. I have 15 yrs service with Gwent police.
The only down side to it is that I wish as a service they would recognise experience and fast track us through training.

I can say even at this early stage that we have definately made the right move, the lifestyle is great, far better than that of the UK. The CPS seem to be far better at looking after their staff than my old mob. We have just moved into our own house after 2 months in rented.

On the drive to work I have a view of the rockies all the way, what could be better than that.


Word of warning....house prices are going up all the time and are on par with that of the UK now. Everything else is about the same, cars are a lot cheaper and so is petrol.

If anyone has any questions or wants any advice I would be pleased to help out, as I people helpd me out when I was going through the system.

Look forward to hearing from anyone.
Andrew

Just picked up the application and serious about having ago,i`m ex armed forces and currently three years into Merseyside Police .
The only thing is ,where to start i would be grateful if any one could give me the best cause of action ie were to go from here .
Do i contact Canada house ?
Do i send my application?
What are the house prices and best areas to live?
If i had my way i would jump with both feet first and probably sink.
Any advise or tips would be great.

If I were you I would carefully fill in the CPS application and send it off.

Then study for the testing, Book an appointment to come over, and hopefully you will get on the PNP program, where as long as you complete the testing sucessfully CPS offer a position and they sort out your visas.

But you need to decide that Calgary is for you. Did you come out here on exercise by any chance???

Good luck with the application

Nickola ,cheers for the info ,no never been but know of a few who have.
Does the job differ greatly from over here ,Merseyside its a bit every man /woman for them selves .
But i`m not that worried i`m up for a chang dont think i can settle in blighty after the forces.
What are the schools like as i`ve got a five year old son and one on the way?
Thanks for the reply though.

Hi Mark,

Thought I'd enlighten you on my experience under the PNP at CPS.

Went out Dec 06 for a week of testing.
I would recommend that you stagger the process over at least two weeks so you can recharge the batteries, between stages and give it your all.

I didn't have that luxury, A/L etc... so I found the week hard going.
It wasn't ideal as on one day I had my Psyc tests in the morning and my PARE in the afternoon. Three of the Psyc candidates were late and so I had to wait..... resulting in rushing the end of the test and having to run to the PARE testing station ( nice warm up).

All in all it was a positive experience. I was told at the time that i had passed the written tests, interviews, the PARE and the polygraph test. The psyc test results had to be sent off for evaluation and I don't think we get to know the results. Now waiting for all security clearance checks/ references etc.

Would be great to hear from anybody who has the job offer under PNP and has or is going through the process.

Just for your info I'm a serving bobby with 7 years in the WMP.

Good luck all.

The elementary schools are pretty good here.There is a good choice of where your child can go but again you will have to pay more fees for say an arts based school. Our 6 year old settled into Kindergarten here at 5 and loved it,she is now in grade one and still loves it. They are very much into teaching more about Canadian history and family values and there place in society.I mean they regularly ask for donations for the food bank and homeless shelters and teach the kids to volunteer and treat each other with respect.
There is little bullying in my Daughters school if any, and any mention of it is quickly stepped on. The teachers are approachable here and myself and my Hubby volunteer in my daughter's class which helps to keep up to date on her learning progress and keep an eye on the teach, which does'nt hurt.In the newer communities the kids are bussed to other schools, this is the norm here and the kids are taught well enough on getting from A- B on the busses safely.

Hope any of this helps, Mrs Mini

Don't know if I mentioned I was in the human resources office a couple of weeks ago and I was the only person there without a Brit accent of some kind. Even the guy behind the desk! Looking at it, it seems like everyone is looking after each other so I don't think anybody is coming over here and suffering in silence or going home at night to a plate of beans and chips unless they prefer it that way, in which case I think they would have problems in training.

An article from the news on Wednesday.



New police recruits put through their paces

calgary.ctv.ca

Posted at Wednesday, March 14, 2007 7:40 PM

Recruits from as far away as Great Britain are hoping to become Calgary police officers.

On Wednesday, hopefuls were tested at an obstacle course at the police training centre downtown.

Richard Poole is one of 140 applicants from England trying to get a job with city police.

He has experience with law enforcement and is looking for a change of scenery.

“The job of policing is the same world over, just little differences in the way people react here,” said Poole.

Poole was convinced to try out, in part, by Calgary's proximity to the mountains.

There are some local candidates too.

Erin Kennedy's father was a local police officer and she wants to carry on the tradition.

“This has been my dream since I was a little girl,” she says.

The Calgary Police Service says it needs to hire 192 officers in 2007 to keep up with the number of veterans stepping down and the city's rapid growth.

S/SGT. Michael Watterston says the days of applicants lining up to fill just a few positions are over. “We don't have that luxury anymore.”

The city hopes to train eight classes of 24 this year and get the new recruits patrolling the streets by January.

Wages for new officers start at 48 thousand dollars a year but recruits with previous police experience can earn up to 74 thousand dollars.

Job offer received this week states starting salary will be $71,974.
For info !

Thats tremendous when are you starting, whats your name. Will keep an eye out for you.

Give us a shout if you need any info.

Well done

If you need any assistance with houses I know just the person.
Let me know
Andrew

ann m: When you get into your training, I work in the building where the fitness centre is located, in the Ticket Control Unit. We aren't included in your tours but we will have a lot to do with you when you get on the street.

PS - congrats on the starting wage. Obviously you have good experience.