Background Standards

Officer Background Standards

Kingston Police Officers are entrusted with the responsibility of keeping our community safe.

Background checks are a critical component of the hiring process at Kingston Police. Police Officer candidates must demonstrate maturity, ethical and moral integrity, make consistently sound decisions and be people-focused. Candidate’s past decisions, judgements and behaviours will be assessed through the intensive background check. Police Officers hold positions of special public trust and we are committed to hiring candidates who are responsible and capable of upholding this trust.

Candidates should critically assess their own background against the desired behaviours before beginning the application process. Negative behaviours in your past may or may not effect your application depending on the length of time that has transpired.

A career in policing revolves around working with people. Kingston Police is seeking candidates who can help build and support relationships in our community. Officers must be able to deal effectively with others in a cooperative and courteous manner and be able to de-escalate situations as they arise. We are seeking motivated, qualified individuals with a passion for helping people and making a difference in our community. Are you people-focused and a relationship-builder? If so, you have an important skillset for a policing career with us.

Some of the desired behaviours for a police officer candidate include:

ability to develop relationships
sensitivity dealing with people from diverse backgrounds
ability to diffuse or deescalate conflict situations
use of tact and diplomacy to resolve disputes and achieve goals
understanding the impact of words and behavior on others, and modifying behavior, comments, or course of action accordingly
listen to both sides of the dispute to help understand and resolve it
concern for the feelings and perspectives of others
impartiality and taking an unbiased position in resolution of conflict
ability to work effectively independently or as a member of a team, making appropriate contributions and recognizing the achievements of others

Police Officers must possess an extraordinary ability to analyze a situation quickly, make sound and responsible decisions and take appropriate action, often within seconds of assessing a situation. Officers also require good common sense and sound judgement, be able to multitask, problem-solve and act without hesitation. The ability to make appropriate decisions without detailed instructions and constant supervision is essential. If you have a track record of sound decision-making and excellent judgement and can quickly assess complex situations, we are seeking candidates like you at Kingston Police.

Some of the desired behaviours for a police officer candidate include:

critically analyze options and determine an appropriate course of action quickly and effectively
make quick, responsible decisions in high pressure situations
act assertively and without hesitation
exercise appropriate discretion
prioritize competing demands, while handling multiple tasks quickly and efficiently

Police Officer candidates must demonstrate maturity and readiness for employment in a profession that is increasingly under scrutiny. Past conduct must exemplify good decision-making, learning from mistakes, accepting responsibility, as well as making wise choices regarding personal conduct that demonstrates self-discipline.

Some of the desired behaviours for a police officer candidate include:

maintaining composure and staying in control during difficult situations
maintaining a positive attitude
considering consequences prior to taking action
refraining from conduct that would reflect poorly on the city and on the police service
working well with minimal supervision

Police Officers are required to demonstrate the highest possible personal integrity through honest and ethical conduct. Officers must be able to maintain high standards of personal conduct, abide by the law, and demonstrate the highest levels of honesty and integrity.

Some of the desired behaviours for a police officer candidate include:

being completely honest during the hiring process
admitting and taking responsibility for past mistakes
refraining from bending rules or otherwise trying to beat the system

Police Officer candidates are held to high standards of behavior in all aspects of their lives. Background investigators will be assessing a candidate’s history in:

educational achievements
exercising fiscal responsibility
safe driving practices
maintaining employment
military accomplishments (if a candidate has previous military employment)

We recommend to all candidates that they be truthful and forthcoming in the background investigation process. Candidates may be disqualified from the hiring process should information come forward that had been purposefully omitted or withheld.