Canada is one of the biggest countries in the world, and it’s also one of the most beautiful. It is a place full of stunning natural landscapes and incredible wildlife, making it a popular tourist destination. It is a very modern country, with bustling cities like Toronto within its borders. Like any country around the world, Canada also has its share of crime, and authorities monitor its crime rate trends each year.
Responding to these trends in crime also means the policing industry in Canada is vital to the safety of its citizens. Due to the importance of this industry, it is an enduringly popular career choice. How can you get into the policing industry here, and why do current Canadian crime rate trends seem to signal more demand for these workers?
How can you get into a policing career in Canada?
The best place to start a Canadian policing career is getting the right qualifications behind you. The criminology programs Canada offers include convenient choices like an online BA in Criminology and Policing from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Courses like these provide a manageable way to learn from home while teaching you everything you need to know for a career in Canadian policing. It makes sense to get the right learning behind you before moving into the police force.
How do you find a job in policing after graduation?
Once you have completed your studies, it is time to think about which specific role within the police sector you wish to pursue and apply for open positions. Many people keep an eye out for relevant vacancies to apply for online, either through career websites or directly through the websites of institutions involved in Canadian policing.
If you are struggling to find current vacancies, you could always get a few pointers from your university before finishing your course. Many universities will offer career advice to alumni, which means you can always get in touch with them after graduation if necessary.
Another way to access the latest vacancies in policing is via networking online. The social media platform LinkedIn is a great example of this, and you can often find established professionals there who can help out. If you have a friend or family member who is already working in policing, they can also be a great source of advice. They can act as a mentor and give you some inside tips on how best to find the role of your dreams.
What are the current crime rate trends in Canada?
Moving into a policing role only makes sense if there are crimes that need to be solved or addressed. What do the most current figures tell us about Canadian crime?
To get a feel for current crime rate trends, it first pays to look at the overall picture during the last few years. For example, 2019 saw a 3.16% increase in the country’s crime rate, and 2020 saw a further 7.20% increase on top of that. 2021 saw another crime rate increase, with the reported crime rate per 100,000 of the population growing by 0.7%. Although the latest figures for 2022 are not available yet, it does seem there is an upward trend in terms of the crime rate in the country.
This can also be seen if we dig a little deeper into specific crime rate trends for various offenses in Canada. The homicide rate, for example, was 1.95 cases per 100,000 of the population in 2021, and this is roughly double that of some countries in Western Europe. In terms of violent crime in Canada, figures also show an upward trend in recent years. In 2014, for example, there were an estimated 370,050 violent crimes reported in the country; this climbed to 476,649 by 2020.
Drug-related crime is also a problem in Canada, with opioid-related offenses soaring by 13% in 2021 compared to the previous year. When you also consider the fact that the Canadian crime severity rating of 73.7 in 2021 was pretty much the same as in 2020, it is clear that crime rate trends in the country make for sobering reading.
Which parts of Canada have the worst crime rates?
Although these crime rate trends give us an overall idea of crime in the country, it is worth digging into which parts of Canada seem to have the worst issues with crime. The statistics for 2021 show parts of Saskatchewan ranking high in the crime severity index. Many parts of Ontario also have a high crime severity rating index, such as Thunder Bay at 101.31. British Columbia and Alberta are other areas of the country that appear to be experiencing severe crime.
While there may be various reasons for this, such as gang problems in cities or remote, rural locations attracting more crime, it is clear from the latest figures that some parts of the country do suffer from crime more than others. Canadian officials are aware of this and are focusing their efforts in these areas to drive crime rates down.
Why has all this led to a demand for more workers in policing?
The above crime rate trends in Canada certainly need addressing to identify some key areas for the country to focus on. These trends also have a direct impact on the demand for more workers in the Canadian policing industry.
In simple terms, the trends in crime that Canada is seeing mean more policing professionals are required to combat them. To effectively address problems like opioid-related drug crime and violent crime, the entire justice system in the country needs more workers. This applies not only to police on the street making arrests but also across other key roles in the policing sector.
This need for more policing professionals has made it an appealing career choice for many Canadians. Higher crime rates in certain parts of Canada have also led to more policing professionals being sought after in these locations specifically.
What do you need to work successfully in this sector?
The specific requirements needed to work in the policing sector will vary from role to role. This makes it essential to carefully consider the job specification for any role you apply for before you decide to go for it.
Nevertheless, there are some general traits most positions in policing will require. All roles will require you to have excellent people skills and the ability to treat others with respect. In addition, most policing jobs will need you to remain calm under pressure and be able to deal with stressful situations effectively.
Good communication skills are also a must when working in policing for passing on information to colleagues and members of the public. Teamwork is also a major part of policing, which means you should be able to work effectively as part of a team. Attention to detail is also vital for many roles, so you should be someone who has the ability to solve complex problems.
What kind of roles are there in the Canadian policing industry?
As noted above, the Canadian policing sector is a wide-ranging career choice that includes many key roles. What are some of the best roles to consider?
Perhaps one of the most useful and best-known roles is that of Police Officer. Working in this role involves patrolling assigned locations to watch for crime, enforcing the law as you patrol, responding to emergency calls, protecting the public, checking out criminal complaints, and enforcing traffic violations.
As you can see, this is a varied role that brings something new each day. It is also a job in Canadian policing that is ideal if you like dealing with the public and making a real difference out on the streets. With an average salary of around $76,714, it is also a relatively well-paid role.
Probation Officer is another popular role in Canadian policing and comes with an attractive average salary of around $79,971. These types of policing professionals supervise offenders when they are released on probation from prison and ensure they meet their conditions of probation. This involves reporting on the offender’s behavior and keeping an eye on their conduct.
They also need to notify the relevant people if an offender breaks the conditions of their probation. These officers are also on hand to help those on probation integrate back into normal life and give them much-needed support.
What other roles are available in Canadian policing?
In addition to some of the more common jobs in policing you might already know about, there are more exotic ones you might not have considered yet. Forensic Analyst is a prime example that sees you assisting law enforcement officials with cases they are investigating.
Forensic Analysts usually work in crime labs and make detailed, scientific analyses of evidence found at the crime scene. They then report their findings back to the officers on the case for further action. This job comes with an average salary of around $81,274 and is perfect if you want to help solve crime without working in a frontline role.
Animal Cruelty Officer is another policing position you might not have thought about before. This is ideal if you love animals and have a passion for saving them from cruel treatment. It is also a good role to consider if you don’t want to work in a lab or behind a desk. Whether it is rescuing trapped animals, investigating complaints of animal mistreatment, or enforcing the law on animal care, this is a varied position. You may also be called upon to present testimony in cases that go to court.
If the idea of helping people directly appeals to you, Addiction Counselor could be the policing job in Canada for you. With the rising rates of opioid crime in the country, this is certainly an in-demand job.
These professionals provide support, advice, and counseling to those who are dealing with substance abuse and addiction. They can also work with the addicted person’s family to provide further help and support. This is an ideal role for someone who has lots of patience, compassion, and empathy for other people.
Why is the policing sector in Canada a good career choice?
We have already noted that the current crime rate trends in Canada mean more police professionals are needed, which, in turn, makes this an in-demand career path to take. This is not the only reason moving into this sector is a good choice, however.
The average salaries for policing roles make them an appealing prospect and a career path worth thinking about. We will always need people within the policing profession, so it is also a career with good levels of job security built into it.
In addition, working in a policing role in Canada can provide outstanding job satisfaction. It is hugely rewarding on a personal level and can make you feel very good about yourself and your contribution to society. If you have a desire to make the world a better place, policing is one of the top sectors to move into.
Rising crime rates drive demand for police workers
Although there is no need for alarm, the current crime rate figures in Canada cannot be ignored and mean that workers in the country’s policing sector are needed more than ever. This has left people with the right skills and qualifications in high demand around the country.