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Edmonton Police Service Recruiting > About EPS > What to Expect the First Year

What to Expect the First Year

You have high expectations from a career in policing — we have high expectations of our recruits. But one of the greatest benefits of a career with the EPS is that recruits are taught everything they need to know. So you do not necessarily need to have any specific previous education or training to apply, so long as you meet the minimum requirements.

New constables will start as recruits in training. The majority occurs at the William Griesbach Training Centre in Edmonton which is a non-residential training facility.

Academy Foundations Training (Approximately 5 months)

Recruits can expect to spend about 50% of their time in the classroom, and 50% doing practical exercises. The focus of foundational training is utilizing adult learning methodologies including problem based, experiential and contextual learning. Working hours vary, but during Academy Foundations Training recruits can expect that most of their working hours will be from Monday to Friday. Academy Foundations Training involves a number of topics, such as:

  • Legal Studies – Criminal, Provincial Acts/Bylaws/Traffic Law
  • Documentation and Articulation
  • Officer Safety Control Tactics
  • Firearms Training
  • Police Vehicle Operations
  • Call and Patrol Simulation Training
  • Physical Abilities Training
  • Investigations
  • Interviewing
  • Divisional Contextual Learning and Experiential Learning
  • Community Based Policing & Problem Solving

Graduation from Academy

After successfully completing the requirements of the Academy Foundations Program, recruits will participate in a Graduation Ceremony making their transition to the Field Development Stage of their training. The graduation ceremony is steeped in tradition and pride of the EPS.

Field Development (PTO Program)

Recruits are integrated into a patrol squad in one of the five EPS patrol divisions and partnered with a trained Police Training Officer (PTO). The PTO Program incorporates problem-based learning and critical thinking around policing and problem solving. This training is comprised of 15 sets of shifts, usually 4 days on and 4 days off with the added flexibility to accommodate individual differences in progression. Depending upon individual progression through the program, recruits can begin working independently at approximately the 9 month point from the beginning of the Academy Foundations training. Throughout the field development stage of training, recruits will have many opportunities to spend their time off with family and friends and pursuing hobbies and interests.

Post Foundational Assessment and Development

At the 12 and 16 month timeframes, recruits will be brought back together for a period of Post Foundational Assessment and Development. Their skills will be assessed and developed further focusing on maximizing individual potential. Additional strategic training opportunities will also be provided to develop knowledge and skill sets based upon experiences to date.


Training is an exciting and a stressful time, but it is also a valuable time during which you will better yourself beyond your wildest expectations and forge lasting relationships with your peers. This is a career where the learning never stops and the training program reinforces the importance of ongoing professional development.

You will begin your career in policing as a Patrol Services Constable working various shifts to provide vital front-line police service to the citizens of Edmonton. Your workday will always provide variety and will prove to be an experience of perpetual learning. You will use knowledge of your community along with your own creativity to solve problems for which there are no textbook solutions. After you gain experience in Patrol Services, you will likely be given the opportunity to work in the Communications Section and/or Arrest Processing Unit. Later in your career, you will have the opportunity to compete for specialised positions such as the Forensic Identification Services Section, Canine Unit, School Resource Officer Unit, Tactical Section and others. Your career will be diverse and will also grant you a level of authority, responsibility, and community status unsurpassed by most other occupations.