b'IN A SOCIETY THAT IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING AND MODERNIZING, NEW POLICE RECRUITS MUST BE ABLE TO DELIVER POLICING SERVICES IN A MANNER THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF POLICE SERVICES AND POTENTIAL NEW RECRUITS. InOntario,policeservicestakeprepareforthePREPtest(e.g.,ofthetestwascreatedtoencour-greatprideinensuringthattheydeemedanoccupationalrequire- ageapplicantsinmakinginformed hire the very best candidates to joinment) to become a police officer candecisionswithinacertainamount ourprofession.Inasocietythatistake place later in the process at localof time, a skill that is necessary and constantly evolving and modernizing,police services as part of their hiringhighly valued in policing. The testing new police recruits must be able toprocess.Alternatively,whenhiredresults are measured at a grade nine deliver policing services in a manneroncondition,thePREPtestwillbeeducationalleveltomitigatethe that meets the needs of police ser- required during the Basic Constablestigmaofcrystallizedlearningand vices and potential new recruits. TheTraining at the Ontario Police Collegeto provide an opportunity for second new CSS has various components: (OPC),whichhasthestatutorylanguage applicants. PartA:Thisisthefirststageinauthority to pass or fail any candidatePartC:TheonlinePersonality obtaining the online OACP Certificateprior to being certified in the role as aAssessmentTestisadministeredin (formoreinformation,visitpolice officer.Part C and is comprised of 27 questions www.OACPCertificate.ca).Here,Inordertoremovepotentialto be completed in 20 minutes. The applicantswillbeemailedseveralbarriers,particularlyfemaleappli- test is designed to provide employers documentswhichtheymustcom- cantswhohavebeenidentifiedwith an efficient and effective method plete in order to move on to the nextasagroupimpactedbytheearlyofidentifyingsuitablejobcandi-stage.Thisincludesmedicalinfor- pre-testingofPREP,theapplicantdates. This assessment measures an mation required, a guide on how toisinsteadrequiredtocompleteaemployees propensity to engage in become a Constable in the Provincedailyfitnessjournal.Thisfitnessboth positive and counterproductive ofOntario,thelegalrequirementslogemphasizestheimportanceofwork behaviours that are measured involved, and the consent and liabil- physical fitness for potential recruits.below average, average, and above ity form to continue the process.It also empowers police services toaverage ratings. MedicalExaminationForm:assesstheapplicantsdedicationtoThe OACP Certificate Expiry Date: TheOACPconsultedmanymedicalpersonal wellness, commitment andAt the inception of the new process expertsandauditedallprevioustruthfulnessinreportingtheirlevelandafterextensiveconsultations testingmedicaldocumentsrelatingof fitness (see www.OACPCertifcate. withpolicerecruitmentpersonnel to medical requirements. In the newcaforfurtherinformationontheacrossOntario,theCertificateof model,theapplicantisrequiredfitness logs). Completion validity date was set at toconductamedicalexaminationPart B: The General Mental Abilityone year from the date of issuance. package with two medical specialists:Assessmentisaproctored,on-lineKeepingthepromiseofa6-month an Audiologist and an Optometrist/ process utilizing a security softwareevaluationperiodpriortomaking Ophthalmologist.Bothspecialistsprogram which is motion and soundchanges, a number of police services arerequiredtoconductin-depthsensitive. It includes several securityrequestedalongervaliditydate testing with the applicant to ensurefocused features that monitors com- based on the fact that some police theymeettheminimumhearingpliance and integrity testing. This testservices hire annually or semi-annu-andvisionstandardstobecomeameasuresanapplicantsabilitytoally, with some larger services hiring police officer prior to applying to areason,plan,solveproblems,thinkmorefrequently.Thediscussion police service. inabstractterms,theirbasiclan- included the fact that in comparison guagecomprehension,comprehendtotheprevioussystem,candidates FitnessLog:Insteadofthecomplexideas,andlearnquicklywere given certificates valid for three previousstandardofhavingappli- from experience.years.Thiscomparisonisnotquite cantspassthePhysicalReadinessaccuratetomake;intheprevious Evaluation for Police (PREP) test priorThe test has a total of 57 ques- system,acandidatetypicallycom-toapplyingtopoliceservices,thetions,dividedbetweentheverbalpleted several pretests and repeated new CSS process acknowledges thatandquantitativesectionstobetests for failed components or expired mentoringandassistingapplicantscompleted in 14 minutes. The lengthcomponents. Therefore, on average, 10 H.Q. Summer 2020'