Formed in 1834, Cobourg Police Service (CPS) is one of Canada’s oldest police services. Serving the Town of Cobourg in Ontario, just one hour east of Toronto, CPS has implemented a tiered policing model where sworn police constables, special constables and auxiliary officers work together to serve the community. Cobourg has a long history and a vibrant tourist area, including one of Ontario’s nicest blue-flag beaches, Victoria Beach.
CPS is one of the most innovative police services in Ontario, and the Auxiliary Unit at CPS is no exception. The Auxiliary Unit has won several awards since its’ inception. Most recently, the Distinguished Civic Award for Community Service was awarded to the auxiliary team by the Town of Cobourg at the 19th Annual Civic Awards.
The Auxiliary Unit is one of the most active auxiliary units in Ontario. Under Chief Paul VandeGraaf’s direction, the CPS Auxiliary Unit was one of the only auxiliary teams in Ontario that remained fully active during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns (2020/2021). Auxiliary members not only maintained their regular duties but were also called on to support emergency efforts and large-scale projects, helping protect the community during an uncertain time.
From all walks of life, the CPS auxiliary members work alongside sworn officers and special constables to provide much-needed services to Cobourg residents. They serve the community in a volunteer capacity, collectively giving more than 4,000 hours of their time every year. Most hold full-time jobs in completely unrelated fields, choosing to give back to the community by joining CPS. They bring their diverse skills and talents to the job and play a key role in the Cobourg Police Service’s innovative tiered policing model.
The Auxiliary Unit’s primary responsibility is running crime prevention initiatives and providing support to police officers in their daily duties.
The Auxiliary Unit is a community-based unit, staffed by volunteer members of all ages, from many backgrounds, and from all walks of life. The members of the auxiliary unit joined CPS as auxiliary officers to help the community and participate in the ultimate volunteering experience. They bring to the police service their own personal skills and talents that augment the police service.
Job Requirements:
To become an Auxiliary Officer, one must:
- Be a Canadian Citizen or permanent resident of Canada pursuant to the Police Services Act,
- Be between the ages of 18 and 75 years of age,
- Be established in a career,
- Be of good moral character and habits,
- Consent to a criminal record check and background investigation. This includes, but is not limited to: CPIC check, Records check, character references, professional references, and a fingerprint check.
- Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position.
- Be able to volunteer for shifts that include evenings, nights, weekends including holidays at any time of the year,
- Satisfactorily complete all tests, examinations, and interviews, and receive approval of the Selection Committee,
- Possess a valid Ontario Driver’s Licence – Class G – with good driving record.
- Possess a valid First Aid, CPR Level C + AED Certification after joining as an auxiliary officer
- Provide a letter from your regular employer acknowledging your desire to join to CPS Auxiliary Unit, and recognize that in cases of extreme emergency, your services may be immediately required,
- Be prepared to commit to the Auxiliary Unit for a minimum of five (5) years.
- Auxiliary officers are required to dedicate a minimum of 12 hours per month of Auxiliary duty.
Job Description:
- Able and willing to participate as a volunteer, meeting the above time commitments and requirements
- A desire to help the community in a unique, dynamic policing environment. Being an auxiliary is the ultimate volunteering experience
- Bring your personal work and volunteer skills to CPS, such as other languages, technology, or expertise from your career
Some of the training you will be taught as part of being an auxiliary:
- Defensive Tactics – Tactical Communication
- Use of Force
- Baton Training
- Firearms Familiarization
- De-Escalation techniques
- The Criminal Code of Canada and other Statutes
- Powers of Arrest
- Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) training
- CPSAC Car Seat Technician Training
- Police Bike and Police Segway training
Some of the many activities you may do as an Auxiliary Police Officer with Cobourg Police Service:
- Participate in RIDE programs alongside police officers, helping reduce impaired driving
- Perform driving observational surveys where intersections are monitored and report back to Police
- Using your first aid training, provide first aid to residents of Cobourg as required during your shifts
- Participate in Beach Patrols, both on foot and on Segway, interacting with visitors from out of town to Victoria Beach, both during and outside of events (such as the Sandcastle Festival).
- Canvass homeowners and businesses to assist police with solving crimes, such as canvassing for homicides, missing persons or forms of assault that have occurred in Cobourg,
- Participate in parades and community events in Cobourg, representing the Cobourg Police Service at those events in uniform
- Perform Crime Prevention activities, such as:
- Bike registration at events
- Bike rodeos, teaching children bike safety
- Lock it or Lose it, teaching drivers to protect their valuables
- Kids Prints, where parents are encouraged to keep information about their own children (photo, fingerprints, hair strand, etc) in case their child is ever missing
- CPTED registration, which helps co-ordinate CPTED Audits (see below)
- And other events where we share crime prevention information and/or interact with the public
- Participate in high visibility uniform general patrols (bike, Segway, police cruiser and by foot) as directed by the Chief of Police, in various parts of Cobourg
- Assist in Search & Rescue efforts for missing persons, such as missing elderly or missing children
- Participate in Child Car Seat Clinics, where parents are educated on car seat safety
- CPTED Audits, helping homeowners understand theft opportunity and educating them on techniques to reduce the possibility of theft at their home
- Participate in traffic (STEP) programs, where police officers pair up with auxiliary officers and go out together to educate drivers on safe driving
To apply: We are currently not recruiting. Please check back often for updates.