Ontario Police - Essential & Developmental Competencies
POLICE COMPETENCIES
In addition to the minimum requirements, 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
Resiliency | The ability to experience adversity and bounce back from challenges, retain a positive perspective, and cope after a stressful event.
Teamwork | Has the capacity to collaborate cooperatively with others to achieve established goals.
Communication | An active listener who can understand verbal and non-verbal cues.
Problem Solving | Able to identify problems, discover and implement innovative solutions, and evaluate outcomes.
Leadership | Must be the type of person who can organize, influence, guide, and motivate others to reach a shared goal.
Inclusivity | Able to recognize the value of diversity and apply an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion lens at all times.
Other important qualities sought in applicants include:
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 & 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 an 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 the safety of 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 to improve their skills.