MAY 2013

Welcome to our three new recruits!   Cst's Kreczmer, Blackett, and Akbar joined us on April 16th.  They are currently in their Block 1 Recruit Training and expecting to return for their Block 2 in July.  They tell me that they are enjoying their training at the Justice Institute and are glad that they prepared themselves both physically and mentally for the training.  We are excited that they chose Saanich Police and wish them continued success at the Justice Institute.  Of interest, all three had been in the recruiting process for several years.  I mention this so that those of you who are just starting aren't discouraged by the length of time it takes.  Policing is a rewarding career that can take many years to obtain employment.  Things to consider are;  education, employment and volunteer work.  Seeking opportunities to contribute within your community is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to law enforcement.  We are deeply committed to serving our community so it may be something you want to consider gaining experience in.  Volunteer work can be very rewarding.  The Saanich Police Reserve program is another great opportunity for exposure to policing.  We are anticpating a Reserve class this fall. Due to the heavy report writing demands that police officers face, it is recommended that applicants take post-secondary education, focusing their attention on writing skills.  This is a critical aspect of police work and should not be underestimated. 

Our hiring projections for the next 24 months are positive.  If you feel you have the necessary skill set for policing please send us your cover letter and resume to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

For those of you that have already submitted applications and are waiting to hear from us, we anticipate sending out  invitations to the successful applicants to our next POPAT and entrance exam for June 23rd. 

And remember, discipline comes from deciding what you what now verses what you want the most.  Good luck and we look forward to meeting you in the future! 

Sgt. Tyra Reid

MARCH 2013

Happy Spring everyone!  Yes we are hiring and will continue to hire!  We have sent several people to the Assessment Centre and are running a POPAT and entrance exam this Sunday, March 17th.  Thanks to all of you who have confirmed with Marlene. 

Exciting news...... we have identiified and hired three new recruits that are starting employment with us on April 16th, 2013.  They leave for the Justice Institute on April 22nd.  All three have previous Reserve experience.  They have been in the application process for many years and have persevered throughout the process; increasing their competitive standing along the way.  I am excited that they will be joining our team in the very near future!  Congratulations for all three!!  Welcome to the Saanich Police!

As for the rest of you who also want to join our team,  I am looking forward to meeting you.  Please send your resume and cover letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    Please don't be discouraged if it takes some time to advance throughout the different stages.  This is typical as there are 15 steps.  I will ask our newest members to share some helpful tips and post them once they get started. 

To those that have confirmed they are attending this Sunday for testing, give it all you have and put your best effort into it! See you Sunday!

Sgt. Tyra Reid

DECEMBER 2012

Happy Holidays to all of you!  Thank you for your continued commitment to the recruiting process.  We have been extremely busy recently as we are hiring in 2013!  For those of you starting the process,  Staff Development will be in contact with you in the New Year.  We appreciate your patience during this busy time. 

I would like to personally wish you and your families a very happy holiday! Please remember to use good judgement over the holidays and don't drink and drive.  So many precious lives are taken every year from drunk drivers.  No one plans to hurt or kill someone on their way home at the beginning of a work party or social function.  Let's keep each other safe over the holidays and look after each other!

For those of you that are at the end of the process, thank you so much for what you bring and for your continued commitment.  Policing can be a very long and rewarding career; getting there takes years of discipline and dedication as many who have been recently hired will tell you.  All the best in 2013.

Happy Holidays!

Sgt. Tyra Reid  

OCTOBER 22, 2012

The next scheduled POPAT date is January 27, 2013.  There have been a couple of changes to the POPAT that were recently implemented by the JIBC.  The first being, the feet cannot cross each other at the push/pull machine.  You must shuffle and bring your feet together without crossing.  The second being, if a cone is inadvertantly knocked over by a participant running by, the participant must return and put it upright.  The third change, is at the vault.  The feet cannot hit the vault while jumping over; they must clear the vault.  

Saanich will not be hiring any new recruits for the remainder of 2012.  It is anticpated that hiring will occur in 2013.  Applications are still being processed and interviews are ongoing as the process can be lengthy.  

Please remember, if you are using a MacIntosh computer to complete your application, you must have Adobe Reader prior to filling it out as Staff Development will not be able to read your text without it. 

Thanks again to everyone who brought their best to the POPAT yesterday.  Congratulations on making it to the next step.  I will publish the next entrance exam date as soon as I have it. 

Until then,

Sgt. Tyra Reid 

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012

Saanich Police has sent out invitations for the October 21st POPAT testing.  Invitations have not been extended for the entrance exam yet.  It is anticipated that an exam will be adminstered in late November.  The passing mark has been amended to 65%. 

Successful candidates will be identified for the November Assessment Center.  Staff Development Sergeants interviews are currently being conducted.  Thanks to all of you whom I have met recently for bringing your best and for your professionalism.  The recruit process can be lengthy and challenging and it is not lost on us. 

If you have submitted a cover letter and resume and haven't heard back from us, we apologize as we are currently experiencing an increase.  Your patience is appreciated and we expect to have them all reviewed by November. 

I'm looking forward to meeting some of you this Sunday at the POPAT. 

Until then;

Sgt. Tyra Reid

SEPTEMBER 2012

Thank you to everyone who participated in the POPAT and Entrance Exam on August 26th.  Some great effort was put forth.  Some candidates have been contacted for interviews.  Please allow yourself 3 hours as the interview is lengthy. 

Two candidates have been identified to attend the Assessment Center this month.  The best advice for this stage of the recruit process is to be yourself.  Those who have asked others specifics about the Center prior to attending have returned disappointed as it hindered their success.  It is best to attend uninformed and well rested. 

We are working hard through an increase of applications and appreciate everyone's effort and patience.

Sgt. Tyra Reid

JULY/AUGUST 2012

Staff Development would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe summer!  

This past Sunday, June 24th, many candidates participated in the POPAT and the written entrance exam.  The feedback from several participants of the POPAT was that "it's a lot tougher than it looks!"

Candidates are reminded that maintaining a high level of physical fitness is paramount and strongly encouraged by Staff Development.  An applicant can be invited to the POPAT and written exam at any point after submitting an application.  If you are not prepared for the testing, then you are not ready to submit your application.  In terms of the feedback for the entrance exam, "Not a lot of time!" were the parting comments of many.  Again this is a reminder to use your time wisely!  

Some questions were raised with respect to how long these scores last.  If passed the written exam mark remains valid indefinitely, whereas the POPAT expires after 12 months.  

I was personally impressed by the participants that waited after they finished their own POPAT and cheered others on.  This displayed great teamwork and I know made a difference to those that were participating.  It was great meeting all of you in person and I appreciated the effort you all put forth.

To those of you that passed the POPAT and exam, congratulations!  There were some impressive marks!

Saanich Police is in midst of a low hiring trend.  This means that many of you will not be contacted until the fall.  Please take advantage of this time to look for ways to increase your competitiveness, either through education, volunteer experience or even work experience.  

For those that have advanced to nearly the end of our recruit process, I appreciate your patience, your updates and most of all your loyalty to Saanich Police.  I look forward to seeing you again soon!  

Until then,

Sgt. Tyra Reid 

JUNE 2012

Hi Everyone! 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Administrative Assistant, Kim Friesen.  Kim is transferring to our Block Watch program on June 11th.   You will still see her when you enter our building sitting behind a desk, but she won't be with us upstairs.  So a HUGE thanks to Kim for all her patience with us while we transitioned into Staff Development and for her positive attitude and professionalism.  She will be missed! 

Welcome Marlene!  Marlene has started with us and is completing her training as the new Administrative Assistant

Congratulations to Cst's Ogilvie and Anastasiades!  They graduated from the Police Academy on May 18th and have returned to the Island to start their careers.  We are looking forward to having them back now that they have finished their training and are ready to embark on a long and rewarding career in policing.  Welcome back!~

Congratulations to Cst. Yeo and Cst. Te.  They have just completed their Block 2 training and are returning to the Justice Institute on Monday to complete their Block 3.  It sounded as though they had great experiences in their Block 2 and were exposed to many diverse calls.  Cst. Yeo stated "Block 2 can only be described as everything you think it will be and more!  I can't believe the 13 weeks are over."  I asked him what his biggest challenge was.  "The biggest challenge for me was that there are so many aspects to policing; every call is so different.   I loved every minute of it and can't wait to graduate and get back out on the road!"  Well said Cst. Yeo!  We're looking forward to having you and Cst. Te back as well.  See you on July 27th at your graduation ceremony.

Staff Development will be sending out the invitations by way of email for the POPAT and  entrance exam next week.  Most of you have already been invited informally but the instructions and details will be sent to you next week. 

Several people completed the Psych Testing portion of the process in May 2012.  The next step will be Inspector interviews which are anticipated to take place later this summer.  Marlene will contact you all with appointments for interviews. 

For the rest of you, thank you for all you bring to the process.  Here on the Island we are privileged with the quality candidates that continually present themselves to us.  It gives us great confidence in knowing that Saanich will continue to be represented by quality people that want to make a difference in their community. 

I wish you all a safe and happy summer and look forward to meeting those of you that are just starting the process. 

Tyra Reid

Staff Development

Recruiting Sergeant

May 2012

Hi Everyone! Spring is now in the air and I'm sure all of you are getting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine.  We recently tracked the traffic to our website and learned that the recruiting page is in the top three most visited sites! I'm excited, obviously! Thanks for being here!

If you are one of those people that fears the POPAT, who lies awake at night dreading the day you will be invited to participate - here's something that you may want to consider:  Oak Bay Recreation Center offers classes to train for and practice running the POPAT.  The feedback I've received from applicants is positive. 

Check out 

http://recreation.oakbaybc.org/programs/by-activity/fitness-wellness/personal-training-specialized-programs/

We do recommend, however that applicants maintain a high level of fitness due to the demands that are placed on police officers on a daily basis.  Training beyond the POPAT itself will not only improve your results, but will have you better prepared for the demands of the JIBC Police Academy.

I have already contacted many of you and informally extended an invite to the POPAT and entrance exam on June 24th.  Formal invites will be extended in early June.  

Several applicants attended the Assessment Center in April, and two more were identified to attend in May. Congratulations to those that have advanced to that step of the process.  To those just starting, please remember that sometimes it can take up to two years from the beginning to the end of the process.  There are 15 steps and the competition is fierce.  Do you have what it takes?  If you do, stay focused and remain determined.   Those that persevere and stay committed to their hiring application have the best chance of success.  

Staff Development conducted multiple Sergeant interviews in April.  I would like to personally thank each of you that met with me and gave 100% of yourselves.   I was truly impressed.    

For those of you that I haven't met, good luck in the process.  I look forward to meeting you!

Until then,

Sgt. Tyra Reid

April 2012

Happy Spring to all of you.  I would like to acknowledge all of the Saanich Police Reserves that attended the POPAT testing on March 11 to cheer on their classmates who were participating.  What great support!

Our next testing is scheduled for June 24th.  Both the entrance exam and POPAT will take place on this date.  Successful applicants will be invited via email. 

Staff Development has now had an opportunity to review all resumes and cover letters that have been submitted.  Packages have been sent out and we are looking forward to reviewing them upon completion.

Staff Development in conjunction with Community Liaison attended a Career Fair on March 29 at the Pacific Institute of Sports Excellence.  It was great to meet all of you.  A common question posed was, "Is it necessary for a person's education to be focused on Criminal Justice?"  The answer is no.  Saanich Police values all types of education.  

Two candidates are being identified to attend the Assessment Center that is scheduled for April 23rd.  Successful applicants will be contacted via email. 

We are anticipating hiring in early 2013. 

Good luck to everyone who is currently in our process and to those who are just starting.  We look forward to meeting you!

March 2012

Staff Development has selected a number of applicants to attend the March 11, 2012 POPAT. The entrance exam date has yet to be determined. COMING SOON - A video of the POPAT is going to posted on our website shortly. This will hopefully alleviate some of the concerns about this test and assist applicants with preparing for the POPAT. Please remember that you potentially could be invited to the POPAT at any time. Maintaining a high level of physical fitness is recommended.

Two applicants attended the March 5, 2012 Assessment Center. It is anticipated that two candidates will be identified for the next Assessment Center on April 23, 2012. The successful candidates will be contacted directly by the Staff Development assistant, Kim Friesen.

Applicants are reminded that our preferred method of correspondence is electronic with the exception of high school transcripts. These certified, original documents must be forwarded in an envelope that has been sealed by either the attended high school or Ministry of Education.

If you are just entering the process, please remember that each applicant is assessed based on their competiveness. This is a combination of education, work, and life experience. Several applicants are also committing time to volunteer experience.

Once we are in receipt of your cover letter and resume you will be contacted via email and notified whether you will be advancing through the recruit process. Best of luck to each of you!

Two recruits are just completing their Block 2 training and are returning to the Police Academy to finish their Block 3 training. Two more recruits are just entering their block 2 training after spending 13 weeks at the Police Academy. We are proud of their achievements and commitment they have demonstrated.  Congratulations to all of you and welcome to Saanich Police!

February 2012

Hello everyone!  My name is Sgt. Tyra Reid and I am the new recruiting sergeant of the Staff Development Division.  I would like to personally thank each of you for your patience and understanding during this transition, as well as for your commitment to Saanich Police.

I have had an opportunity to speak now to many of you personally, but would still like to acknowledge those of you, whom I haven't met that continue to contact and update Kim Friesen, our administrative assistant.  I appreciate all of these efforts and recommend that all of you currently in the application process ensure that you continue to do this.   

Several applicants were invited to attend the POPAT on January 29, 2012; the written entrance exam was postponed and rescheduled for March 11, 2012.   We have scheduled another POPAT for the March 11, 2012 date as well.  Please note candidates will be identified and invitations sent out at the end of February 2012 for participation in these exams.

Two applicants were identified for the Assessment Center on January 30, 2012 and two for February 6, 2012. 

Due to current hiring trends we do not anticipate hiring any new recruits for the March 2012 or April 2012 Academy classes.  We do; however, anticipate hiring for the fall classes.   As such, we strongly encourage applicants to take advantage of this time by seeking out opportunities to enhance themselves through courses, volunteer experience, or employment related to the policing profession.  As I'm sure each of you you are aware, the Staff Development Division continues to look for demonstrated personal and professional development in the individuals we hire.   As our hiring practice is lengthy, involving a 15 step process, it is recommended that applicants continuously seek opportunities to strengthen their competitiveness during any delay in the process. 

I wish you all the best of luck and look forward to meeting you in person.

Sgt. Tyra Reid

January 2012

Happy new year!  The Saanich Police staff development section is currently experiencinug a transition of personnel as a result of the annual internal transfers.   It is important to us that the communication lines with all applicants remains strong through this transition - therefore, please be advised that your primary first contact will still be the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it address.  Ms. Kim Friesen will continue her role as the administrative assistant in the division and will be monitoring this electronic mailbox.   The sergeant in charge of the recruiting section will be Sgt. Tyra Reid.   Sgt. Reid has been meeting with me on several occasions leading up to her start date of January 9th for purposes of information sharing/transfer on the process and current applicants.

A written exam and POPAT date has been confirmed for Sunday, January 29th.  Applicants will be identified and will be contacted via email with the invitation instructions within the next two weeks.  

Thank you for your continued interest and commitment to the Saanich Police selection process.

Best regards,

Sgt. Dean Duthie

JIBC Graduation Day for Csts. Hodgkinson and Wong

December 2011

The staff development division is currently in the process of contacting applicants who have been selected to attend the entrance exam and POPAT stages of the selection process on December 18th, 2011.  Applicants who receive an invitation to the POPAT must bring their completed medical forms (signed by a doctor) and waiver forms to the POPAT.  Applicants who present incompleted forms will not be authorized to attempt the POPAT.  There will be no other stages of the selection process scheduled for December 2011.

It is with sincere appreciation that I take this opportunity to thank everyone in the Saanich Police selection process for their patience, determination, initiative and commitment.   As predicted, 2011 was a year that only identified 6 recruits.  This trend is expected to continue throughout most of 2012.   I would like to strongly encourage all applicants to keep challenging yourself by continuously looking for opportunities that will enhance your personal and professional development while demonstrating your genuine interest in police work.

The Saanich Police will continue to employ our values system into the selection of recruits to reassure all applicants, serving police officers and the citizens of Saanich that the integrity of the process is upheld to its current high standards.   

On behalf of the staff development division, I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season, as we all look forward to the opportunities that await us in 2012.

Best regards,

Sgt. Dean Duthie

November 2011

The staff development division has identified two applicants to be sworn in as Saanich Police probationary constables on November 23rd, 2011.   The two new recruits will start block I training in class 136 at the police academy later this month.  

Applicants have been identified to attend the Assessment Centre scheduled for November 28th, 2011 and December 5th, 2011.

Applicants are currently being identified to attend the entrance exam and POPAT that is scheduled for December 18th, 2011.

October 2011 *UPDATE*

As of October 13th, the POPAT that was scheduled for Sunday, October 16th has been canceled.  The next POPAT date will be scheduled for mid December. 

October 2011

The staff development division is in the process of identifying applicants to attend the POPAT scheduled for Sunday, October 16th and for the entrance exam scheduled for Sunday, October 23rd. 

Saanich Police have secured a limited number of seats at the upcoming assessment centres in November.  Applicants who have completed the Sergeant interview stage of the process will be considered to attend this stage.   Identified applicants will be contacted directly from the staff development section to provide specific information and an itinerary.

The selection process is continuing to focus on identifying two recruits for the November 28th, 2011 police academy class. 

September 2011

The staff development division has identified two recruits for the September police academy.  Although no confimations have been made in regards to the November police academy, the selection process will continue throughout September and October to ensure that potential recruits are identified, should authorization to hire from the Chief Constable and Police Board be received.

Confirmations have been made with applicants who have been invited to the written intake exam and or POPAT for Sunday, September 18th.  For those identified applicants (who have been contacted and confirmed) please do not forget your required documentation (medical waiver signed by a doctor, Saanich Police waiver, and PISE waiver) as well as the $56.00 POPAT fee that is paid (in cash) to PISE.

Sergeant level interviews will continue to be scheduled in September and October. 

July 2011

During the months of June and July, the Staff Development Section conducted various Sergeant level interviews with applicants who were at this stage in the process.    A review is currently being conducted that will identify which applicants will move on to the next stage in the process - the assessment centre.

Confirmations have been made with applicants who have been invited to the written intake exam and / or POPAT on Sunday, July 24th.   For those identified applicants (who have been contacted and confirmed) please do not forget your required documentation (medical waiver signed by a doctor, Saanich Police waiver, and PISE waiver) and the $56.00 POPAT fee (cash only).   There is no POPAT scheduled for August.

The next planned assessment centre is scheduled for September 2011.  Applicants at this stage will be identified and contacted in August.

The Police Academy will be hosting two recruit classes (Block I) in the Fall of 2011.  The Saanich Police currently have two seats reserved for both classes, and will be focusing on identifying highly competitive / suitable recruits throughout the summer and into the fall.

June 2011

All invitations for the June 26th intake exam and POPAT have been sent via email to identified applicants at this stage of the selection process.  If you have received an invitiation, you are required to respond no later than Wednesday, June 22nd to secure a position for testing.

The Staff Development section is in the process of transitioning to the polygraph from the computerized voice stress analyser.  It is expected that the truth verification stage of the process will be scheduling testing dates for applicants at this stage in July and August 2011.

The Staff Development Section is pleased in welcome Ms. Kim Friesen as the new administrative assistant.  Ms. Friesen will be a main point of contact for most applicants, especially during the initial stages.  Please direct all your correspondence to Kim through the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it email address.

May 2011

The POPAT that was scheduled for May 15th, 2011 has been cancelled due to logistical reasons.  Those applicants who were invited to this stage of the process have all been contacted and advised.  The next scheduled POPAT is June 26th, 2011.   Applicants will be identified and invited to this next date by June 17th, 2011.

A reminder to all applicants who are currently in the process and have completed the POPAT stage; your POPAT score is only valid for one year from the date that you completed it.  Therefore, it is recommeded that all applicants who have completed the POPAT more than one year ago contact the Saanich Police recruiting section by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to advise and schedule a date to complete the POPAT again.

April 2011

The Saanich Police has recently entered into an agreement with the Canadian Sport Centre Pacific / Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence (PISE) for the facilitation of our POPAT stage of the selection process.   The next scheduled POPAT is Sunday, April 17th, 2011.  Applicants who have been identified to attend this date will be notified the week of April 4-8.

An applicant intake exam has been scheduled for April 17th, 2011.  Applicants who have been identified to attend this date will be notified the week of April 4-8. 

March 2011

The Saanich Police have identified two applicants that will be sworn in as police constables on April 1^st, 2011.   The Police Academy will not be facilitating another recruit class until the Fall of 2011.  No dates have been confirmed, as hiring numbers continue to be low in the majority of British Columbia Municipal Police agencies.

The Saanich Police will continue to accept resumes via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , however, it is important to understand that given the low forecast for hiring over the next 18 months, the competitive level is high and the process will move at a slower pace (approximately 12-18 months to complete, if successful in each stage).