
Our Values
A connection to community
With over a million residents, EPS Officers work closely with Edmonton's diverse communities to strengthen public trust
A passion for service and safety
Dedicated to protect. Proud to serve.
These are guiding principles EPS officers strive to provide Edmontonians around
the clock, everyday.
A helping hand
EPS Officers are trained to provide
service with compassion; understanding Edmonton's unique community needs
INTEGRITY
Doing the right things, for the right reasons. Ensuring every action and decision reflect the values of the Edmonton Police Service both internally and externally. Our actions strive to uphold the trust we build and strengthen with the communities and people we serve.
INNOVATION
Striving to pursue excellence through creative approaches. We aim to utilize current technologies, equipment, and collective skill sets to best serve our communities.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Holding responsibility for our decisions and actions. Ensuring we know our role, pledged to serve Edmonton to the best of our ability. We strive to always act in the best interest of our collective goals.
COURAGE
Maintaining strength in the face of challenge. Our members display psychological and physical resilience to answer the call of service to Edmonton, everyday.
RESPECT
Treating others as we would like to be treated. Showing compassion through service ensures others are treated equally and without judgement.
COMMUNITY
Respecting and honouring the diverse communities we serve. We are driven by a community-policing model and strive to achieve a safe, vibrant city through relationships with the communities we serve.
Career Overview

Recruiting Basics
Requirements of an EPS Officer
We have expectations of who is selected to become the next generation of police officers serving Edmonton. Our members must display a high degree of personal integrity, sound judgement, intelligence, decision making, maturity, common sense and much more. The EPS has six core values: Integrity, Accountability, Respect, Innovation, Courage and Community. EPS officers embody these traits and guide the foundations of being a successful EPS officer.
Training
and Knowledge
EPS provides the required tools and training to ensure new recruits are equipped for recruit training. Effective police officers are constantly learning and improving their skill-sets to improve the service they can provide the citizens of Edmonton. We offer continued education options for police officers.
Health
Requirements
Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is essential to ensure both your mental and physical health is in check. Looking after yourself ensures you are best prepared to handle the changing demands of a policing career. EPS provides police officers with the resources needed to ensure you are prepared for both the mental and physical requirements of a policing career.
Work
Environment
Every new EPS officer begins their career in patrol. Police officers work in shift rotations and may include anywhere from 8, 10 or 12 hour shifts rotating between days and nights. These are set schedules that come as an expectation of the job.
Salary
and Benefits
The Edmonton Police Service offers a competitive salary starting at $71,195 from day one of training. We offer comprehensive extended health benefits, health spending, flexible work arrangements, vacation and more. A policing career offers room for advancement into leadership roles and more.
Minimum Requirements
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Grade 12 diploma or equivalent.
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Canadian citizenship or legal permanent residence (certificate of citizenship and/or birth certificate or permanent resident documentation)
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Valid Alberta Class 5 driver's licence (graduated driver's licence is not acceptable)
Good driving record (maximum of five demerits). Must be comfortable operating a vehicle in busy driving conditions -
Good written and verbal skills. Written communication testing will be included in the selection process
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Certificate in standard first aid (must be a minimum 16-hour course, approved through Provincial Occupational Health and Safety. Certificate must be issued within one year prior to the date of application. Re-qualification may be necessary for some components after one year)
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A current “Level C” certificate in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (must have standards equivalent to those of the Canadian/American Heart and Stroke Foundation. Verify with the training agency that a CPR certification is included in the first aid certification).
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Excellent health
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Physical condition - ensuring you are prepared to pass the physical readiness evaluation is a component of the process.
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Character - your values must align with those of the Edmonton Police Service.
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View full requirements and access to forms (Please note: forms from other agencies are not accepted. Please use forms provided by the EPS)

Our commitment
to the future of policing
Community Connection
EPS is driven to deliver community based policing through multiple programs, services and initiatives
Service and Safety
EPS officers are dedicated to protect and proud to serve the public by addressing crime, harm and disorder
A Helping Hand
EPS is dedicated to provide equitable service with compassion, understanding and transparency
Stories from those who serve.
Meet a few Edmonton Police Officers. They come from different cities, speak different languages and have different reasons for joining. Collectively, their aligned values serve the diverse communities of Edmonton, everyday.
Learn more on who we're hiring.









Frequently Asked Questions
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STAGE 1 - ONLINE APPLICATIONThe Edmonton Police Service is now accepting applications online through a provincial-wide application system. To begin the application process, applicants will need to create an APATS account and then apply to the Edmonton Police Service constable job posting. Completing the online application is a time-consuming process, and it is recommended you take your time to be accurate and thorough and try not to finish applying in one session. The system allows you to log in and out as many times as you need to complete it. Once you have submitted your application, it will be pre-screened by Recruiting and Selection Unit to ensure it is complete and you meet the minimum requirements. If you have passed pre-screening, you will be notified and will move to the next stage of the selection process. If your application is not complete, a member of the Recruiting and Selection Unit will contact you about any missing material or outstanding issue(s). Before creating an APATS account, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the 8 stage application process. When ready you can create an APATS account here. Applications are valid for one year from the date of submission. If you have been out of the application and selection process beyond one-year, you are required to submit a new application. Based on competitiveness, applicants may be deferred without appeal at any of the eight stages in the selection process. In some cases, permanent disqualification from reapplication may occur irrespective of deferral policy.
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STAGE 2 - WRITTEN TESTINGThe EPS Recruiting and Selection Unit conducts regular written testing sessions. After submission of a complete application package, suitable applicants will be contacted by a member of the Recruiting and Selection Unit to schedule the testing date for the Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test (APCAT). Applicants must bring one piece of photo identification and their social insurance number to the exams session. Remember, you are entering a competitive application process, and your professionalism is being assessed at this event. Make sure to arrive on time and dress in appropriate business attire. Successful completion of the APCAT exam will advance an applicant on to Stage 3. Successful completion of the tests with other Alberta policing agencies allows the applicant to proceed directly to Stage 3. Passing scores for the APCAT are valid for five years. For registration and additional info please see: Written Test Information
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STAGE 3 - PHYSICAL READINESS EVALUATION (A-PREP)The Alberta Physical Abilities Readiness Evaluation for Police Officers (A-PREP) is the new assessment standard of the physical suitability of recruit constable applicants. This assessment gives applicants a taste of what it takes to be a police officer. Job simulation tasks put applicants in demanding conditions often faced by police officers. It’s up to an applicant to prove they’re prepared for any situation. A-PREP has three parts: a medical screening questionnaire a pursuit/restraint circuit that mimics tasks that may be performed on the job an aerobic shuttle run that tests overall fitness An A-PREP pass is valid for six months. If the first attempt is not successful, an applicant may take it a second time on the next available testing session date. Further failures after the second attempt will result in a two-month waiting period for each successive fail. Here is the additional information that you need: A-PREP Preparation A-PREP FAQs
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STAGE 4 - BEHAVIOURAL DESCRIPTIVE INTERVIEW (BDI)The guiding philosophy for a behavioural descriptive interview (BDI) is that past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour. The EPS interviews and tests applicants around six competencies required for a patrol constable. Each behavioural question relates to an experience or event in an applicant’s past. At least one question will be asked for each of the six competencies: adaptability/decisiveness initiative/perseverance interpersonal skills organizational skills stress management valuing service and diversity Applicants must clearly describe a particular experience, including how a situation was handled, and the end result. The BDI is conducted by retired members of the EPS who have worked in a variety of areas within the EPS and have specific interview training. Common Interview Errors Displaying any of the following may put an applicant’s interview in jeopardy: poor personal appearance; lack of tact and/or overconfidence; lack of interest and enthusiasm; failure to maintain eye contact (assertiveness); lack of preparation for interview; using examples that happened more than 5 years ago; and tardiness (always arrive 5 to 10 minutes early). Appointments are booked through the recruiting office and applicants who successfully complete the BDI move on to Stage 5. Download the BDI Workshop Presentation Register to attend an upcoming BDI Workshop Here is the additional information that you need: Preparing for the BDI BDI Competencies BDI Frequently Asked Questions
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STAGE 5 - PERSONAL DISCLOSURE INTERVIEWThe personal disclosure interview (PDI) is a one-on-one interview conducted by the applicant’s file manager (a sworn member of the EPS assigned to the Selection Unit). During this three-hour interview, the applicant’s application and personal disclosure form will be reviewed and discussed. As with all stages of the process, the applicant’s honesty is vital. We recognize that people may have made poor decisions in the past, so it’s important that candidates be truthful about these decisions and past actions during all of the application process. Appointments for the PDI are booked through the applicant’s file manager. Applicants who successfully complete the PDI move to Stage 6.
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STAGE 6 - POLYGRAPH INTERVIEW/EXAMINATIONApplicants will participate in a polygraph interview/examination as part of the selection process. The pre-employment polygraph examination takes place in the Polygraph Unit office at EPS Headquarters (9620-103A Avenue) or at the Recruiting Office (10177 97 Street NW). Applicants should arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment. Allow extra time for parking, as it is in short supply around both buildings. Preparing for your polygraph Ensure you maintain a normal routine prior to attending; ie: taking prescriptions as prescribed, adequate rest, nutrition, and consume normal quantities of coffee/tea). The procedure takes approximately 4-6 hours. Most applicants are curious about the pre-employment polygraph examination procedure and will seek out information prior to attending their scheduled appointment. We encourage applicants to research common sources of information including, but not limited to the following: Polygraph Association Other police applicants (ie: current co-workers, run with recruiters); Current police officers Family/friends Social media Television and movies Podcasts (ie. Gil Witte-Episode 4 of the police applicant podcast) It’s important for applicants to recognize there is much misinformation and disinformation regarding the use of polygraph specifically as part of a hiring process, the accuracy of the results, and what applicants should/should not do during their pre-employment polygraph procedure. Misinformation and bad advice account for some applicants not successfully completing this stage. The polygraph examiner will openly discuss any or all these sources of information with the applicant prior to the in-test portion of the procedure and ensure that each applicant is fully informed and set up for success. Most applicants become nervous, anxious or apprehensive when they are asked to submit to a pre-employment polygraph examination. This is normal and will NOT affect the results in any way. The examiner will answer all questions the applicant may have prior to conducting the in-test portion of the procedure. Applicants are encouraged to discuss and/or explain any issues that cause them concern. The examiner will review the test questions and answers with the applicant prior to the in-test portion of the procedure. The polygraph examiner will ensure that each applicant is very well prepared for their pre-employment polygraph. EPS Polygraph Examiners attend the Polygraph School at the Canadian Police College which is accredited by the American Polygraph Association. Appointments for the polygraph examination are scheduled through the recruiting office. Applicants who successfully complete this stage may move on to Stage 7. What is the polygraph used for? The purpose of the pre-employment polygraph examination is to prevent infiltration and/or corruption within the Edmonton Police Service. This means being 100% truthful throughout the entire application process (i.e. information supplied on the Personal Disclosure Form and responses given during the PDI). If an applicant has made a mistake, a misstatement on their employment application, or when they have additional disclosure(s) or new information, they should inform their file manager or polygraph examiner prior to the in-test portion of the pre-employment polygraph examination.
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STAGE 7 - PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION & MEDICAL EXAMINATIONPsychological Evaluation Candidates will undergo psychological tests, which are administered on-site. These multiple-choice computer administered tests include: the Inwald Personality Inventory-2 (IPI-2) Assessment the 16PF (Personality Factors) Questionnaire These tests are followed by a clinical interview by a contracted psychologist. Appointments for the psychological evaluation are scheduled by the Recruiting and Selection Unit. Medical Examination Applicants undergo a thorough medical examination by a physician contracted through the City of Edmonton. Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date immunization record. Appointments for the medical examination are scheduled by the Recruiting and Selection Unit. Applicants who successfully complete this stage will move on to Stage 8.
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STAGE 8 - BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONThis stage is the final step in the selection process. A thorough background investigation including social media accounts, enhanced security and credit checks are undertaken on the applicant and the applicant's spouse/common-law partner/significant other. If an applicant has any previous police training or has served as an employee in any law or by-law enforcement agency, it is required they submit the following: All internal affairs checks (past, present, and pending complaints) Annual performance reviews Training records Upon successful completion of the selection phase, applicants are issued a score based on their progress through each stage of the testing. The applicant’s file is then submitted to a review committee that determines whether the applicant is to be offered employment. The applicant's file manager will contact the applicant with the committee’s decision.