Vancouver police seek recruits with easy online survey

Last Updated: Thursday, October 4, 2007 | 6:31 AM PT

CBC News

You may be middle-aged, have just a high-school education, and exercise less than an hour a week, but don't rule out a career with the Vancouver Police Department.

As part of its new recruiting drive, police have posted an online survey where even the seemingly least qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Const. Tim Fanning, shown earlier in 2007, says the online survey is designed to direct people already interested in policing to one of the department's information sessions.
(CBC)

As it turns out, clicking the worst-possible answer under every category still doesn't disqualify you.

"Do you have what it takes to be one of Vancouver's finest?" is the question posed at the top of the survey, part of the VPD's push to hire 100 new police officers.

The survey asks prospective recruits about a dozen questions on their age, education, leadership and security experience, fitness level and teamwork skills.

It turns out that somebody over 36, with just a high school education, no leadership or security experience, who barely exercises and may not work well with others, makes the first cut.

He or she gets a message that says: "Your responses indicate that you have the potential to be a police officer but may need to strengthen certain areas of your application."
 
Police spokesman Const. Tim Fanning told CBC News Wednesday the survey is meant to point people already interested in policing to one of the department's information sessions.

"If they come out and maybe they are out of shape and don't have writing skills, if they're really interested in the job then maybe they'd be encouraged to work on those and come back and see us and put their application in at a later time," Fanning said.