Keeping Guelph Safe ... Together.

Competencies

 

In addition to the minimum requirements previously described, you must possess certain competencies. A competency is defined as any skill, knowledge, ability, motive, behaviour or attitude essential to successful performance on the job. Two sets of competencies have been identified for the job of policing: Essential Competencies and Developmental Competencies.

Essential Competencies

These are knowledge, skills and abilities which a candidate must demonstrate before becoming a police officer. They are:

 
  1. Analytical Thinking: The ability to analyze situations and events in a logical way, and to organize the parts of a problem in a systematic way.
  2. Self confidence: A belief in your own abilities and judgment, and a recognition of personal limitations and development needs.
  3. Communication: The ability to demonstrate effective listening, verbal and written communication skills.
  4. Flexibility/Valuing Diversity: the ability to adapt your approach in a variety of situations, and to work effectively with a wide cross section of the community representing diverse backgrounds, cultures and socioeconomic circumstances.
  5. Self control: The ability to keep your own emotions under control and to restrain negative actions when provoked or when working under stressful conditions.
  6. Relationship Building: The ability to develop and maintain a network of contacts, both inside and outside the police service.
  7. Achievement Orientation: The desire for continuous improvement in service or accomplishments.
  8. Medical/Physical Skills and Abilities: Job related medical/physical skills and abilities, including vision, hearing, motor skills, cardiovascular endurance and upper body strength.

Developmental Competencies

As the name implies, these competencies can be acquired through training after a person has been hired as a police officer. However, some police services may have immediate need for specific skills and abilities which are developmental and may choose to include these in the hiring process. The following 11 competencies have been identified as developmental:

  1. Information Seeking: The ability to seek out information from various sources before making decisions.
  2. Concern for Safety: The ability to exercise caution in hazardous situations in order to ensure safety to self and others.
  3. Assertiveness: The ability to use authority confidently and to set and enforce rules appropriately.
  4. Initiative: Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and self-directed in identifying and addressing important issues.
  5. Cooperation: The ability to collaborate with others by seeking their input, encouraging their participation and sharing information.
  6. Negotiation/Facilitation: The ability to influence or persuade others by anticipating and addressing their interests and perspectives.
  7. Work Organization: The ability to develop and maintain systems for organizing information and activities.
  8. Community-service Orientation: Proven commitment to helping or serving others.
  9. Commitment to Learning: Demonstrated pattern of activities which contribute to personal and professional growth.
  10. Organizational Awareness: Understanding of the dynamics of organizations, including the formal and informal cultures and decision making processes.
  11. Developing Others: Commitment to helping others improve their skills.