By Darlene Casten
Staff Reporter
Hockey players know all about crime and punishment.
Throw an elbow, you get two minutes in the penalty box. Draw blood and you get four minutes to think about your transgression.
It is that kind of mentality the Calgary Police Services (CPS) hopes to capitalize on in the future.
Calgary is looking to rural hockey players and citizens of Alberta’s smaller towns and hamlets to fill a growing void in law enforcement. Retired policeman and high-profile local hockey figure Gary VanHereweghe is leading the charge in finding future officers.
VanHereweghe spent 27 years with the Calgary Police Force and came out of retirement to recruit new blood to replace the baby boomers like himself who are finishing up their careers.
“Because there is lots of money in Alberta right now there is more crime and gang activity so we need lots of officers - maybe as many as 400 in the next two years,” VanHereweghe said.
Between meeting with every junior hockey team in Alberta, including the Okotoks Oilers and Bisons, VanHereweghe has also been setting up community recruitment drives.
VanHereweghe said there has already been some interest generated locally.
More than 30 people attended an information session last month and within days the CPS had received an application from an Okotokian.
“I hope we are reaching people who otherwise might not think they are a fit,” he said.
Calgary Police Services is already of the belief that many of this province’s young hockey players could be a great addition
to the force.
The discipline, physical stamina and teamwork needed to play hockey all apply to police work, VanHereweghe said.
“They seem to adjust to the demands of police work because of their experiences,” he said.
Calgary Police mentor hockey players interested in the force by bringing them on ride-alongs and exposing them to the other aspects of the job. The idea is that when a hockey player finishes school or ends his hockey career the move into law enforcement is a natural one.
Hockey players aren’t the only local athletes the Calgary Police Services has approached. Local high school teams have also received visits from CPS recruiting and the drive will continue, VanHereweghe said.
“We are going to continue in Alberta and also go to Saskatchewan and British Columbia,” he said.
Becoming a police officer is not easy, however, the CPS has plenty of information on what they are looking for and what to expect from the application process.
The application form itself is more than 60 pages and Calgary Police require candidates to take a polygraph test to ensure no criminal activity within the past three years.
However, VanHereweghe said a minor criminal conviction does not exclude people from becoming a police officer.
The minimum requirements for an applicant is that they are 18 years or older, excellent health, possess a Class 5 driver’s licence and be able to pass a visual acuity test.
The Calgary Police Service’s motto is “ You already have it in you” and VanHereweghe said anyone interested in police work should not exclude themselves before getting the information on what is involved in applying to join the Calgary police force.
Go to www.calgarypolice.ca/recruiting for all the details.
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