Police to hire 80 officers via events aimed at women, Indigenous, racialized
Ottawa police will hire 80 officers this year with recruiters looking for “diverse skills, abilities and experiences,” and aiming for more applications from women as well as Indigenous and racialized people.
“Policing is a very rewarding career, one where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the residents of Ottawa, every day,” Steve Bell, the Ottawa Police Service's interim chief, said in a statement Monday.
“The goal of our recruitment efforts is to build a talented, inclusive and professional service that is more reflective of our community.
“Ottawa is a culturally diverse city, so it's important that we are hiring new recruits that are not only qualified, but also reflect the communities we serve and protect.
“And it's equally important that we have made needed changes so that all individuals we hire for their unique skills and abilities that they bring to the (Ottawa Police) Service can succeed and thrive within our organization.”
The force's outreach and recruitment team is hosting information sessions including:
■ May 11 — Recruiting session focused on women with a female panel at Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Dr., from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
■ May 15 — Recruiting session, Sikh temple at 25 Gurdwara Rd., 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
■ May 17 — Visit the team during
Police Week at the Pinecrest Recreation Centre, 2250 Torquay Ave., from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
May 18 — Visit them during Police Week at Elizabeth Manley Park, 1261 Blohm Dr., from 4 to 7 p.m.
May 19 — Visit them during Police Week at Jules Morin Park,
400 Clarence St., from 4 to 7 p.m.
■ June 8 — Monthly recruiting information session live on Instagram from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
There's a mentorship program to help candidates ready for the application process plus a women-focused mentorship program launching this month, police said.
The December 2020 graduating class was the most diverse in the force's history, police said.
Of 48 recruits, 40 per cent were women, half identified as a member of a racialized group and six per cent as Indigenous. Collectively, they speak more than 20 languages.