Hi, my name is Justine Guindon, I am 18 years old, and I study Police Technology at Ahuntsic College. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a police officer in the future, this chatbox is for you. It is here to answer any question someone could have on this job.
Being a police officer is a really particular job, because on one side, you get to help people, and assure that every single individual gets to live in peace, so it is really rewarding. On the other hand, a lot of people have a bad opinion about our job, because we're here to punish penal and criminal offenses. No one is happy when they see a cop car with their lights on pulling at the back of their car, but at the same time, these people who hate us are the first one to dial 911 when they need our help. We meet people who love us, we meet people who hate us, but overall, the gratification we get from the lovers takes over the haters.
Police officers maintain order and enforce laws and regulations. They respond to emergency calls, patrol public areas, regulate traffic, control crowds, arrest offenders and build community relationships.
Speaking for a patrolman (because there are so many jobs I couldn't speak for all of them), they always start their shift with a fall in, where the Sergeant gives directives and updates the new relief on what happened on the territory during the previous quarter. Then, they all get to their cars, inspect it (if needed, usually done once a week) and then go on the road. Depending where they are located, they will either respond to call made by citizens to the 911 or do operations to make sure road users respect rules. This is basically what police officers do on their typical day, of course it can vary.
Police officers can work in their car, at the police station or even outside, when they have to interact with people.
To become a police officer, you have to get into Police Technology, which is a three-years program from whom you have to graduate to get into L'École Nationale De Police Du Québec. L'ENPQ is the only school in Quebec where future police officers can graduate to have their policing permit. You have to complete a fifteen-weeks program where your training will be completed.
In Montreal, when an officer starts to work, they are at the bottom of the salary scale at around $58,000 per year. Six years later, they are already at the top of that same scale making around $112,000 per year. In my opinion, it is a really well-paid job, especially when you also work overtime.
In addition to the CEGEP program and the fifteen weeks at the ENPQ, police officers need to get their gun license and also pass the 4a driving license, which is the permit to drive an emergency vehicle. Both of these have to be done before going to L'ENPQ. On top of that, once you are a police officer, you have to complete some training during your career, because sometimes, the way to do your job will vary, and you have to be up to date about it.
Being a police officer is one of the most dangerous jobs someone can make. Since we often deal with dangerous people, drive fast and sometimes recklessly, our lives can be compromised in a lot of ways. The best way to prevent these kinds of accidents is to not let the routine get in your head.
The chance of police officers being replaced by robots are really slim, because this job is so complex and unique, no robot in the world could be trained to show humanity, compassion and respect the same way humans are capable to, and this aspect is basically the essence of our role.
Usually, after 30 years of service in the same police institution, the retirement pension will be it's highest, so depending on what age you get into the service, people usually retire 30 years later if possible. Some of them also stay up until 35 years of service.
Thank you for taking the time to read my chatbox. I hope you enjoyed it and that it helped you to understand how great of a job policing is. Make sure to check my other publications, and I'll see you next time!
Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: government
Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
Sources: cites sources
Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: government
Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
Sources: cites sources
Rationale: to inform or educate
Authority: government
Date: still relevant
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
Sources: cites sources