Ottawa police take to social media with 'jobposals' as part of recruitment
For some, becoming a police officer is a dream—serving the public, at times running toward danger and the unknown—and while many apply, only a select few get in.
One new recruit in Ottawa found out in a unique way that she got the job.
As a 911 police communicator working inside the communications centre, Jessika Bolduc has handled all types of crisis calls.
“Some of our 911 calls are life-and-death emergencies, you may get someone on their worst day calling in,” she tells CTV News Ottawa.
In late October, there was one special dispatch heard over police communications radio. The call wasn’t a crisis it, was a job offer to join OPS as a constable.
“On behalf of the Ottawa Police Service, are you ready to join us in a new role as a police constable, new recruit?” was heard not just by Bolduc, but by many officers and other dispatchers on duty.
“It made me a little nervous,” she says.
She accepted over the radio communications system right away to what police are calling a ‘jobposal.’
“Absolutely, never been more ready,” Bolduc says. “After that, my message screen just flooded with congratulations messages.”
Like other police services, OPS is short on staff. According to Sgt. Maria Keen, the plan is to hire between 50 and 100 officers next year, depending on budgets set by council and by how many officers retire.
Taking to social media with ‘jobposals,’ helps in recruitment, Keen says.
“It takes a lot of creativity and time, but well worth it and, we get a lot of views and a lot of really good responses. I’ve had feedback from the public saying, ‘That made me want to apply.’”
Keen says she came up with the idea several years ago, and other police services are now also doing ‘jobposals,’ as part of their recruitment campaigns.
For Bolduc, who has worked as a dispatcher for three years, becoming a police officer is part of her DNA.
“I grew up in a military family, both my parents are military police, so I’ve grown up in the policing world and then, when I became a dispatcher, I just knew - it kind of clicked.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.