Police force finds enough recruits to fill vacancies

For the first time in several years, the Calgary Police Service hired enough officers to fill all vacant positions in 2007.

The force hired a historic high of 178 police members last year,in large part because ofan overseas recruitment drive.

About 100 staff were hired from the United Kingdom, with the majority of them already having policing experience, said Insp. Richard Hinse, who is in charge of recruiting for the Calgary police.

'We're getting the great people, now we're at a nice spot here in 2008.' Insp. Richard Hinse, Calgary police recruiter

An expedited application process and the elimination of hundreds of dollars in fees have helped raise the number of applicants, said Ald. Ric McIver, who sits on the police commission.

"Over the last two years, we've had a 70 per cent increase in the number of applications, so the interest is there," said Hinse. "We're getting the great people, now we're at a nice spot here in 2008."

However, McIver pointed out Calgary's police force is younger than it has been in years.

"The depth of experience isn't what it once was," said the Ward 12 alderman

"There is a great deal of pressure for them to make those split-second decisions without error and protect themselves, protect the citizens and not trample on anybody's rights and lots of times it's a fine line."

Even though the force has hired a full complement of staff, 86 are still in training.

This year, 225 officers will be needed to fill new positions and replace those who will retire.