How to apply to Halifax Regional Police

Age

At least 19 yearsBe at least 19 years of age by application deadline. All requirements must be met by the application deadline.

Citizenship

Canadian Citizen or Permanent ResidentIf you are born outside of Canada, please submit your Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency.

Education

Completed grade 12An academic grade 12 transcript or post-secondary transcript (copy) must be submitted with the application. A degree or certificate is considered an additional asset but is not in itself a determining factor in advancing through the process.

Criminal record

No criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted and no criminal charges pending before the courtsApplicants who are Newcomers will be required, during the security and background stage, to produce a police clearance certificate from their originating country showing they have no criminal convictions. Due to the time required to obtain these certificates, applicants are encouraged to apply for these certificates as early as possible.

Driver's licence

Valid Class 5 Nova Scotia driver's license or equivalent with no restrictionsA Class 5 R license may be considered. A copy of the driver's license, front and back, must be submitted with the application.

Vision

Uncorrected vision must not be less than 6/18 (20/60) in each eye OR 6/12 (20/40) in one eye and at least 6/30 (20/100) in the other; corrected vision must be correctable to 6/6 (20/20) in one eye and 6/9 (20/30) in the otherColour vision: any standardized pseudo-isochromatic plates (Ishihara, A-O, HRR, Dvorine) can be used, tested without colour correcting aids; correctly identifying all patterns meets the standard. Visual fields: vision of 140 degrees in each eye in the horizontal plane and the absence of scotoma. Laser surgery: candidate has not had corrective surgery for a full three months prior to the examination; PRK and Laser corrective surgery is acceptable. Vision is assessed at the medical exam stage.

1. 1

   Stage 1 - Apply

   Your application must include: resume; cover letter; birth certificate (copy); driver's license, front and back (copy); academic grade 12 transcript or post-secondary transcript (copy); proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency, if born outside of Canada.

2. 2

   Stage 2 - Screening

   A selection committee will review all information submitted by the applicant and determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements to proceed to the next stage of the selection process. Candidates will be notified in writing.

3. 3

   Stage 3 - Aptitude test

   Candidates will have a pre-determined time frame to complete an aptitude test. There are many resources online and in print to help prepare for the test.

4. 4

   Stage 4 - Police Physical Abilities Occupational Test

   The Police Physical Abilities Occupational Test is a standardized test used to measure an applicant's ability to perform the physical demands of police work. Applicants must complete the obstacle course and the pushing and pulling task in 4 minutes, 45 seconds (4:45) to be eligible to progress to the next stage of the selection process.

5. 5

   Stage 5 - Suitability assessment

   Candidates will be reviewed in the suitability assessment. This assessment aims to assess how specific abilities of a candidate will relate to the requirements of the role of a police officer.

6. 6

   Stage 6 - Interview

   Candidates will participate in a competency-based panel interview for which candidates will be provided materials to prepare. The interview is designed to allow candidates to draw on examples from their work or life experience to demonstrate that they possess the necessary competencies to be a member of Halifax Regional Police. The Halifax Regional Police key competencies are: adaptability, ethical accountability and responsibility, interactive communication, organizational awareness, problem solving, risk management, stress tolerance, teamwork and written skills.

7. 7

   Stage 7 - Pre-employment security clearance booklet review

   Candidates will be issued a security clearance questionnaire to complete and return to Human Resources. This document will be reviewed by Human Resources to determine suitability to advance to next steps in process.

8. 8

   Stage 8 - Security and background clearance

   Candidates will be further investigated to determine their suitability to be a police officer. Candidates' family and friends may be contacted and/or visited during this stage. Results of Halifax Regional Police background investigations will not be released and remain the sole property of Halifax Regional Police.

9. 9

   Stage 9 - Medical exam and psychological testing

   Candidates must undergo a medical exam to determine if they meet the medical standards set by Halifax Regional Police and Province of Nova Scotia. This stage will determine any challenges, which may interfere with the candidate's ability to meet the occupational requirements of an officer with Halifax Regional Police. The medical assessment consists of a physical examination, urine test, blood work, a chest x-ray and an EKG. In addition, hearing and vision tests will be completed and will formulate part of the overall medical assessment. Candidates must undergo psychological testing to determine their suitability to be a police officer. Candidates who advance to this stage will be provided with an appointment by Halifax Regional Police Human Resources to meet with their designated psychologist. The result of the psychological testing will be made available to Human Resources and formulate part of their holistic review of a candidate.

10. 10

    Stage 10 - Police Science Program

    Successful applicants will be enrolled in the HRP Police Science Program. Candidates who successfully complete the Police Science Program will be offered employment with Halifax Regional Police as either a full-time police officer or a reserve officer, depending on availability at the time of hiring.

• Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE)

  Required

  PARE Course:

  4:45

  New applicants must complete the obstacle course and the pushing and pulling task in 4 minutes, 45 seconds (4:45). Experienced police officer applicants must complete the PARE within four minutes.

  Halifax Regional Police calls this the Police Physical Abilities Occupational Test: a standardized test used to measure an applicant's ability to perform the physical demands of police work. New applicants must complete the obstacle course and the pushing and pulling task in 4 minutes, 45 seconds (4:45) to be eligible to progress to the next stage of the selection process (Stage 4 of 10). Experienced police officer applicants must complete the PARE within four minutes, the minimum standard for experienced officers. HRP encourages all applicants to take part in some type of training program and to strive for an average, to above average, level of fitness prior to attempting the test. The test is also part of the completion criteria for cadets in the HRP Police Science Program.

$67,133.28 – $111,888.79a year

From Constable (starting) to Constable (maximum), as of 2023.

When does the Class of 2027 Police Science Program start and end?

The program starts in the fall of 2026 and lasts for 38 weeks. Participants will graduate in the summer of 2027.

When is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply for the Class of 2026/2027 is now closed.

Does having a degree or certificate program advance me further in the recruitment process?

We consider having a degree or a certificate to be an additional asset. Although the knowledge and skills acquired through obtaining a degree or a certificate may help you in particular stages of the competition, in and of itself it isn't a determining factor in advancing you through the process.

How soon after I submit my application will I be notified to write the cognitive ability test?

We will be reviewing applications on a biweekly basis. If you've been selected to proceed to the testing phase, we'll contact you soon after the competition closes to let you know when we'll be conducting testing.

Can I work or attend school during the Police Science Program?

The HRP Police Science Program is a full-time training program with varied hours. While it is possible for cadets to maintain part-time employment while enrolled in the Police Science Program, we recommend against this.

Will I have a job when I am done my training?

After you have successfully completed the Police Science Program, which includes a field training assessment, you may be offered employment with HRP as either a full-time police officer or a reserve officer, depending on availability at the time of hiring.

Is there a cost to apply?

There is no application fee. There is however a tuition fee of $10,000 for the HRP Police Science Program. Halifax Regional Police Training School is a recognized career college and therefore financial assistance is available to qualified candidates through the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Office. Renewal is pending approval by the Department of Advanced Education.

Where will the training be held?

The HRP Police Science Program will be held in Dartmouth. If you live outside of the Halifax Regional Municipality and would be moving to attend the program, please contact hrprecruiting@halifax.ca for housing resources.

How long is the HRP Police Science Program?

The HRP Police Science Program is a 38-week, full-time training program that will be held in 2026/27 in Dartmouth. The training program prepares cadets for employment with Halifax Regional Police.

Will the HRP Police Science Program prepare me for employment with any other police service?

The HRP Police Science Program prepares cadets for employment with Halifax Regional Police. The training program is recognized by the Province of Nova Scotia. To check whether or not it is recognized in other provinces by other agencies across Canada, you would have to check with individual police services and jurisdictions.

What are the vision standards?

Vision standards for Halifax Regional Police officers: Uncorrected vision must not be less than 6/18 (20/60) in each eye OR 6/12 (20/40) in one eye and at least 6/30 (20/100) in the other. Corrected vision must be correctable to 6/6 (20/20) in one eye and 6/9 (20/30) in the other. Colour vision: any standardized pseudo-isochromatic plates (Ishihara, A-O, HRR, Dvorine) can be used. Testing is to be done without the candidate using any colour correcting aids, such as coloured contact lenses. If candidates correctly identify all patterns presented in such tests, their colour-vision will be considered normal and will meet the standards. Visual Fields: vision of 140 degrees in each eye in the horizontal plane and the absence of scotoma (Normal/Abnormal). Laser Surgery: candidate has not had corrective surgery for a full three months prior to the examination. PRK and Laser corrective surgery is acceptable.