The role of an officer with the Niagara Regional Police Service requires a number of skills and abilities. Some of these are learned on the job or through education, while others – such as a sense of duty, honor, and accountability – must be carried into the job as part of the officer’s character. Such attributes are seen in the constables of the Niagara Regional Police Service, and in our motto: “Unity, Responsibility and Loyalty”.

Policing primarily involves working with people to ensure public safety and enforce the law. In all cases, we are there to serve the public and the community that we’re a part of, but to do so effectively requires specific abilities and qualities that are the building blocks of a good officer.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES
There are many elements that make up a good officer.  The following competencies have been identified as essential requirements of all candidates for a successful career in law enforcement: 

• Self-control
  In the coarse of performing duties, an constable often works under stressful conditions, where he or she may be faced with hostility, opposition, or provoked by a member of the public.  In such situations, it is important for the officer to control his or her emotions and be constructive.
• Analytical thinking
  To solve crimes and handle many of the situations encountered on the job, a constable must be able to identify patterns and connections between people, objects, and circumstances.  By being able to systematically identify and analyze key elements, he or she will be better able to investigate the incidents to which he or she has been dispatched.
• Communication skills (written, verbal, listening)
  Dealing with the public and testifying in court requires the ability to listen, understand, express oneself verbally, and be able to document the salient points of an incident.  Interacting with people requires being able to be responsive and demonstrate an understanding of their situation, position, emotions, motivation, and concerns. Because of this, a constable must be able to listen, write, and express his or herself clearly and accurately.
• Self-confidence
  Constables must be self-assured and reflect a belief in his or her own abilities, opinions and judgment in handling situations.  In doing so, he or she must also be able to accurately self-assess these abilities, understand his or her own strengths and limitations, and be able to deal with failures.  It is not only important to believe in oneself, it is equally important to deal with shortfalls constructively.
• Flexibility in dealing with diversity
  Officers must be sensitive to the needs of the public, and be empathetic to the situations of victims and involved citizens, regardless of their gender, race, culture or background. A constable must be able to adapt to situations and the adjust to the perspectives of the people involved in them. 
• Relationship building
  Dealing with people requires building relationships with them.  In doing so, an officer must be both a team-player and a leader.  A constable must be able to develop and maintain contacts with the public, within the Service, with other Police Services, and other organizations and individuals who can provide information or assistance in achieving a work-related goal.
• Physical skills and abilities
  There are a number of skills and abilities that are necessary for a constable to fulfill his or her duties.  These include: vision, hearing, speaking, physical strength, motor skills, finger dexterity, cardiovascular endurance, and other physical capabilities.
• Achievement orientation
  Constables must be able to set goals and strategies to achieve them.  During his or her career, a constable must commit his or herself to improving skills, knowledge and performance through training, education and experience.  Being involved in investigations and projects requires the officer to set and adhere to personal and organizational goals and standards.

IMPORTANT QUALITIES
When someone applies to become a constable, each stage of the selection process endeavors to assess the candidate's skills and abilities in these areas, as well as other desirable qualities.  Some of these qualities include:

• Initiative
  The phrase "above and beyond the call of duty" is often heard in our society, and often seen in the behavior of Members of the Niagara Regional Police Service.  Being self-motivated enough to do more than what's expected or required is a desirable quality, and one that illustrates the enhanced performance of a person.  It shows that the person is self-directed and inventive in how they deal with a task or situation, and able to go beyond the basic requirements of a job. 
• Cooperation
  Teamwork is vital to policing, so a quality that is sought after is the characteristic of being able to work with others effectively.  Being able to demonstrate that a person can collaborate and make a team effort is valuable to effectively working with colleagues, other police and emergency services, community organizations, and others.  Qualities of leadership can also be shown in this behavior when the person encourages participation, information sharing and involvement from others.
• Assertiveness
  Constables must be able to reflect confidence and personal power to inflect the power of the constable's position.  During the course of his or her duties, the officer will need to use this ability to challenge others, enforce the law, direct members of the public appropriately, and set expectations that others will follow.
• Orientation toward Community Service
  Because policing is often driven by the needs of the community, it is important for constables to be driven by a desire to help others.  A valuable characteristic is being able to identify and act on the needs of individuals and groups, and a willingness to provide assistance.
• Work Organization
  Performance on the job requires being able to maintain the high standards of the Service, inclusive to its high standards of quality.  Being able to minimize errors, access and scrutinize information and the work being performed, as well as develop and maintain systems for organizing this work and information, are all important factors toward a task or job completed effectively.
• Commitment to Learning
  Education doesn't end upon being hired.  Constables need to maintain and enhance their technical knowledge and professional development by taking courses, asking questions of those with more experience, reading, networking with other professionals and specialists, attending conferences, and pursuing opportunities to learn and improve skills. 

 
THE CAREER
The Niagara Regional Police Service hires people from every walk of life.  Committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment, the Members of our Service are made up of people from different races, religions, genders, and other characteristics.  They have contrasting backgrounds, diverse educational qualifications and credentials, and distinct personal histories.  They are not hired in spite of these differences, but because of them.  Everyone is unique, and it is this diversity that helps the Niagara Regional Police Service serve the people of the Niagara Region and its visitors.