Experienced Officers
We know that in order to make a difference, we have to be different. SPS is intentional about prioritizing officer wellness, training, and leadership development. Join us as we prepare to become Surrey's police of jurisdiction on November 29, 2024.
At SPS, we are redefining policing.
At Surrey Police Service (SPS), we’re not just offering you a job, we’re offering you the opportunity to redefine policing.
What does that mean to our experienced officers?
It means we take care of our officers, on and off duty, by providing a family-friendly shift schedule, modern equipment, and annual Wellness Leave.
It means we have our own advanced training program that includes training in trauma informed policing, operational medicine, and Gracie Survival Tactics, and information on the needs and demographics of the community we serve.
It means that, as we build SPS, we are listening to the ideas and past experiences of our officers to build a safe, forward-thinking police service that prioritizes both the needs of the community and the well-being of our employees.
And with a few hundred positions still to fill, we have unmatched career opportunities as we prepare to become the police of jurisdiction on November 29, 2024. Plus – for a limited time, experienced officers can apply for lateral career opportunities after just six months of service with SPS.
Want to see what real change looks like? Expand the sections below or contact us at careers@surreypolice.ca.
Wrap-around wellness support
- Dedicated, full-time Wellness Unit which supports employees in all aspects of their wellness.
- Occupational Stress Intervention dog, Ragnar, who works exclusively with SPS employees.
- Wellness Lounge available, 24/7 for all employees to help them decompress at work.
- 40 hours of annual wellness leave for SPS police officers.
- Registered psychologist who provides on-site services for officers once a month and as required when critical incidents occur.
- Dedicated Employee Services Sergeant for each officer to support their wellness, family, and career needs.
Consistent staffing levels
- SPS officers plan to spend their careers in Surrey and get promoted in Surrey. This means more stability and less vacancies.
- SPS's Executive Leadership Team is committed to advocating for the appropriate staffing levels for Surrey as crime and the community needs change.
- SPS will have two-person vehicles for select units for increased officer safety.
- Community Safety Officers will be added in the future to maximize policing flexibility.
Experienced leadership
- SPS supervisors have an average of 20+ years of policing experience and bring long-term stability to their teams.
- Decisions that impact our officers are made by experienced police leaders at the local level.
State-of-the-art training
- All SPS officers are trained in Gracie Survival Tactics and Integrated Communications, Assessment and Tactics (ICAT) as part of our advanced training in de-escalation.
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes are offered regularly.
- SPS’s training facility features a full deployment mobile training structure.
- Learn more about our training for experienced officers.
Speciality unit opportunities
- SPS will have all the major specialty units expected of a large agency – from surveillance, to gangs, to confidential informant units.
- We have a progressive staffing practice currently in place. While we are building up to our full staffing complement, SPS is temporarily offering the ability for experienced officers to apply for lateral opportunities or promotions after 6 months of service with SPS.
- SPS will be part of the Lower Mainland Integrated Teams, providing opportunities in forensics, police dogs, ERT, collision reconstruction, and homicides.
- Seniority at SPS is based on rank and start date. The earlier you join, the more opportunities you will have.
Modern benefits & salaries
- As part of our commitment to building a top tier organization, we've put together a comprehensive employment package focused on employee wellness and competitive compensation. View our 2024 SPS salaries.
- Wellness Leave: Each member receives 40 hours of wellness leave in each calendar year, which can be used or paid out at the end of the year.
- Chief's Scholarship: Educational benefit of up to $3,500 per person to put towards higher education courses and programs.
- Maternity/Parental Leave: 95% top up of gross weekly earnings for 52 week
- To read more highlights of our Collective Agreement, and to find information regarding the BC Municipal Pension Plan, view: SPS Collective Agreement and Pension Information.
- Your years of prior policing service will be recognized when calculating your salary and annual leave entitlements.
Progressive shift schedule
At SPS, we value the input of our employees. We worked closely with frontline officers to build a shift schedule that works for both our officers and the community we serve. The result is a modern frontline shift schedule that was recommended by 91% of our officers.
The benefits of SPS's future frontline shift schedule are significant:
- More hours of rest during days off (up to 115 hours)
- Shorter overnight shifts (10 hours instead of 12)
- Overnight shifts don’t start until later in the evening, allowing for more family time
- Same shift for each 4-day block, resulting in less sleep disruption
- Increased ability for SPS to provide officers with training
- Increased team cohesion and supervision, with the full team having the same start/end time.
- Overlapping shifts which increase ability to relieve officers at end of shift
Women in Policing
We actively encourage women to start and grow their career in policing by offering recruiting initiatives, support, and development opportunities that are tailored to women.
Questions?
For more information or to speak with a recruiter for a confidential conversation, email careers@surreypolice.ca or call us at 604-591-4084.