Policing is a fast-moving and constantly evolving profession, shaped by the needs of a rapidly changing world. To meet those demands, the VPD continues to innovate, strengthen community partnerships, and apply leading practices that support excellence in public safety and service.
Vancouver is consistently recognized as one of the world’s most livable cities, attracting people from diverse backgrounds who come to live, work, and enjoy all that the city has to offer.
The VPD is seeking highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated individuals to join Vancouver’s finest and help advance our vision of making Vancouver the safest major city in Canada. We offer a wide range of rewarding career opportunities in a supportive environment where employees are encouraged to grow, thrive, and make a meaningful difference in the community they serve.
Job Demands
Given the physical demand of police work, maintaining a high level of fitness is essential.
Whether you are patrolling by bicycle or chasing a suspect on foot, being physically fit will give you a necessary advantage. It can also be a healthy way to deal with stress.
In addition to knowing arrest-and-control, and de-escalation tactics, you will be trained to handle and care for a variety of firearms and to operate police vehicles in emergency situations. You may go for extended periods without drawing your firearm in the field, however, you must be prepared to use deadly force to protect yourself or others from grievous bodily harm or death.
To be an effective police officer, you are going to need sound knowledge of the law and modern policing methods.
You will learn:
- portions of the Criminal Code of Canada
- the Motor Vehicle Act
- other federal and provincial statutes
- the VPD’s departmental policies and procedures
As a police officer, you will evaluate situations based on your knowledge, experience, and available information when determining if a crime has occurred and who committed that crime. In some cases, you will need to exercise discretion and tact in persuading people to comply with directions so that an arrest is not necessary.
At crime scenes, you will pay close attention to detail and make observations on suspects and the crime scene itself. You will gather relevant physical evidence and ensure that it remains safe and uncontaminated. Often, you will be required to visualize and recall an event after the fact so it can be documented accurately, possibly for court purposes.
Police work is not without risk. While high-stress and risky situations are the exception rather than the rule, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Long periods of routine tasks can be suddenly interrupted by an urgent call requiring immediate intervention.
Today, VPD’s recruits are better trained and equipped than they have ever been. That training and experience will help you evaluate situations to ensure an appropriate response. At times, you will deal with people who are intoxicated, high on drugs or in mental health crisis and, on occasion, people may direct their hostility at you. Again, your training and experience will ensure you are able to respond professionally to any situation.
Remember, with these risks come rewards – although they can’t all be measured in dollars and cents. Saving a life, making a difference, taking a criminal off the streets: these are your everyday rewards.
Pay and Benefits
- Probationary Constable – $93,690
- 4th Class Constable (after one year) – $100,390
- 3rd Class Constable (after two years) – $107,069
- 2nd Class Constable (after three years) – $120,468
- 1st Class Constable (after four years) – $133,847
VPD officers have many opportunities to work overtime during staffing shortages, at events, or on movie sets.
Constables also become eligible for pay increments up to 115% of the 1st Class Constable wage through professional development.
VPD officers have countless opportunities to work overtime, including for the many events that happen in the city throughout the year.
Annual Leave
- In the first year of service, annual leave will be 2 weeks (pro-rated)
- During the second up to and including the seventh calendar year of service – 3 weeks
- During the eighth up to and including the fifteenth calendar year of service – 4 weeks
- During the sixteenth up to and including the twenty-second calendar year of service – 5 weeks
- During the twenty-third and all subsequent calendar years of service – 6 weeks
Medical and Dental
Our benefits include:
- Unlimited lifetime amount for extended health benefits for officers, their spouses, and dependents
- Maternity Leave top-up benefits at 100% for 17 weeks
- Parental Leave top up to 100% for an additional 35 weeks
- Psychological Services Plan benefit of $5000/year
- Fertility coverage up to a $20,000 lifetime maximum
Employee Wellness
Our Employee Wellness Unit is second to none and includes the following:
- Peer Support Team
- Physical Health & Performance Team
- Access to on-site fitness facilities
- Critical Incident Stress Management Team
- On-site physiotherapy, athletic therapy, and registered massage therapy
- Multi-faith Chaplaincy service
We take care of our people.
Whether your playground is the ski hills, the ocean, or forest trails, or you are looking for world-class restaurants, nightlife, shopping, cultural and sporting events, Vancouver can offer it all. Add to that unbeatable and memorable experiences for families, and you realize that Vancouver is the place to be.
After graduation, you will be prepared to hit the streets of Vancouver, however, your training does not end there. The VPD is committed to training throughout your career.
You will have numerous opportunities to develop new skills, through in-house courses, and advanced programs at the JIBC or the Canadian Police College. VPD members also train annually at our state-of-the-art tactical training centre, which includes an indoor firearms range and force options gymnasium.
There is a common bond that unites our officers, even though they come from many different backgrounds and circumstances: We are committed to public safety, and to keeping one another safe. At the end of the day, you can return home, satisfied knowing that you and your team mates have made a positive difference in the world, and in the lives of others. When those days are difficult, you have an extraordinary group of co-workers, pulling you through, lifting you up, and making the world right again.
We take care of our people.
Qualifications
Core Values – ICARE
The Vancouver Police Department is looking for exceptional people who share our five ICARE core values:
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Accountability
- Respect
- Excellence
Basic Qualifications
- minimum 19 years of age
- excellent character
- physically fit and in excellent health
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
- no criminal convictions, no adult criminal charges pending
- a valid BC class 5 driver’s licence with no restrictions and a good driving record
- meet the visual acuity standards
- valid current Standard/Intermediate First Aid (CPR “C” and AED) certification
- Grade 12 diploma or equivalent, plus a minimum of 30 academic post-secondary credits or equivalent professional development credits
Preferred Qualifications
- a degree or diploma in any field of study
- second language
- volunteer experience
2026 Top Employer
The Vancouver Police Department is proud to be named one of BC’s Top Employers for 2026.
The annual Top Employers program celebrates organizations across BC that create outstanding workplaces that prioritize continuous learning, support knowledge transfer from experienced staff, and welcome fresh perspectives of those entering the workforce.
The award underscores the VPD’s ongoing efforts to support officers and civilian staff through robust training, career development and wellness programs.
