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Hot Tip -- by Tim Sieben
Canadians are well known for their commitment to volunteerism and
when considering careers in law enforcement, this commitment will
truly serve you well. When looking for the right man or woman for the job, a common thread that exists among all rural and municipal law enforcement agencies is the desire to recruit individuals with life experience, people skills
and a solid dedication to their communities.
One of the best ways to obtain such skills and experience, while
showcasing your devotion to helping others, is to take advantage of
volunteer opportunities existing within your community. Here are a
few key things to remember when thinking about volunteering as a
pathway to law enforcement careers:
- Make a plan
Treat your volunteer work search as a job search; a little planning
is critical. Confirm your interests, prepare targeted résumés, create
a simple job search strategy and be familiar with the qualifications
for the job.
- Get "relevant" experience
While police recruiters look for individuals with a wide range of
professional and academic backgrounds, it is useful to target
volunteer opportunities that will allow you to practice your
interactions with the general public, including people of diverse
cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Not only can this help prepare you
for your career search but can also be a very rich learning
experience.
- Find out who can help you
Exploit volunteer recruitment agencies. Most communities have well
respected agencies that can connect people with volunteer positions
based on their interests and needs. If such an agency does not exist
within your community, try calling the particular organization you're
interested in directly and ask for an information gathering
interview. Also, review local community service directories,
bulletins and public service announcements to identify what's out
there.
- Don't forget the obvious
Never forget to inquire at your local police station, district office
or RCMP detachment about volunteering. Try visiting your police
service's Web site, if they have one. Most police services have
excellent sites allowing you to conveniently review all internal
volunteer opportunities for civilians along with actual people to
call for more information.
Best of luck!
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