Dozens of people showed up Tuesday evening for the first Ottawa Police speed recruiting event.
It’s similar to speed dating, giving participants the chance to rotate through one-on-one sit-down meetings with police officers.
“This is an opportunity to speak privately with the officers, and ask those questions you might not be comfortable asking, necessarily, in front of a group,” said Constable Jonathan Hall.
Every year, roughly 600 people apply to the Ottawa Police Service. Only about 30 are hired.
“It's something I've wanted to do since I was a little girl, and this was a chance to give me a little bit of one-on-one talk with the officers,” said policing hopeful Christine Drummond.
“I just want a chance to help somebody else, to help out a child, to help out a mom, a dad,” she added.
The Ottawa Police Service has more than 100 job opportunities, from the Guns and Gangs Unit, to the Major Crimes Unit, to school resource officers.
Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau says passion is what sets successful applicants apart.
“Passion about keeping our community safe, and people skills,” chief Bordeleau said. “Being able to communicate with people, because most of the job is talking with people, and interacting, and building that trust that is so important between the community and the police service.”
