Experienced officers add value to our complement of sworn members and the work we do in the community. Policing is a rewarding – but challenging – career, and hiring individuals with policing experience helps us serve Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township more effectively while also providing newer officers another resource to learn from.
Click here to learn more about living and working in Sault Ste. Marie.
Become a .
Policing is about service, but it also offers stability, support, and room to grow. While you focus on protecting your community, you will be backed by an organization and team that takes care of you.
| 4th Class | $67,114.94 - $70,887.65 |
| 3rd Class | $89,486.59 - $95,516.86 |
| 2nd Class | $100,672.42 - $106,331.47 |
| 1st Class | $111,858.24 - $118,146.08 |
Extensive health benefits
Paid vacation
Paid sick/casual days
Shift premiums
OMERS pension plan
Life insurance
Clothing allowance
Support of continuing education
Employee Assistance Program
Our friendly Uniform Recruitment team is here to answer your questions and help you with the application process.
For more information about joining us as an Experienced Officer, contact Sergeant Derek MacFarlane at d.macfarlane@ssmps.org or (705) 949-6300 ext. 238.
Salary
Effective January 1, 2024 - July 1, 2026
The collective agreement states: "To determine the starting rate of pay, all previous police experience shall be evaluated. Such member shall be granted one classification step for each completed year of active service to a maximum of First Class Constable."
Benefits
Here are some testimonials from members who joined our team as Experienced Officers from other police services when we asked them why they made their decision and what they like about working here:
"Smaller service and you get to know everyone you work with." - Sault Police Constable who moved from a police service in Southern Ontario
"Cost of living (wanted to buy my own home, not just rent forever) - didn't want to raise a family in a big city. More disposable income for hobbies. That type of life is becoming more and more difficult for those living in big cities. Here, it doesn't take 45 minutes to drive to grocery stores and work" - Sault Police Constable who moved from a police service in Southern Ontario
"Backup is never far away! [At my previous service], backup was 30 minutes away. Morale is great here ... The speed at which positive changes/improvements occur here is far beyond anything I saw [elsewhere]." - Sault Police Constable who moved from another police service
"Cost of living and quality of life. No commuting to work or court. I can go home for lunch." - Sault Police Constable who moved from a police service in Southern Ontario
"Smaller community which provides a better sense of family as you get to know the business owners and history of the city. Smaller police service which also provides a better sense of family. If you work hard you can move into many different areas of the service. Small service yet still has all the adrenaline filled incidents most officers are looking for. Competitive wage and ability to work overtime and paid duties if desired. Housing prices are still some of the lowest in Ontario. All the recreational activities one could ask for. Convenient airport nearby that can connect a person to almost anywhere. Border city that opens up excellent opportunities for sporting events, vacations, shopping, etc." - Sault Police Constable who moved from a police service in Southern Ontario
You can also click here to watch a video about the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and living/working in Sault Ste. Marie.
Click here to visit our webpage about the many benefits of living in Sault Ste. Marie.
In the collective agreement an Experienced Officer shall mean a former member of a Canadian Police Service, including First Nations Police Services and Military Police, and is not subject to the same degree of training or orientation to policing duties as a Police Cadet.
For any new members, the calculation of service shall mean service with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, not your current employer.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service’s Pension plan is with OMERS. As an OMERS member, you may be able to transfer pension credits in to the OMERS plan from another Canadian registered pension plan. If you have been a member of another registered pension plan in the past, contact OMERS Client Services directly at 1-800-387-0813. You may be able to transfer some or all of this service into OMERS. Visit OMERS online for more information.
In order to exempt from attending Basic Constable Training (BCT), the Director of OPC has to be satisfied the police officer from the other province has the qualifications or skills that are substantially equivalent to those that would be obtained in the BCT Program.
This is done by requiring those officers from other provinces to write an exemption examination to ensure their qualifications and skills are equivalent.
Currently if the candidate completes RCMP training and qualifies under the Community Safety and Policing Act, the hiring service is only required to submit the supporting documentation and the Service may have the candidate write the exemption exam.
Ontario currently recognizes the following institutions as providing recruit training that is deemed to be equivalent to BCT.
Uniform Patrol members work 12 hour shifts. Two (2) day shifts and two (2) night shifts, followed by four (4) days off. Detectives in Investigation Services work eight (8) hour shifts, rotating days and afternoons.
Any member who has completed two (2) complete years of service as a 1st Class Constable, by the examination date set by the OPC for the provincial exams, may apply to sit for the exams for the rank of Sergeant.
Being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is a requirement to becoming a police officer in Ontario.
Good character is of the utmost importance in the decision to hire an Experienced Officer. Some of the qualities, characteristics, and skills we look for are (in no particular order):
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated in the following phases:
Candidates who received a conditional offer of employment must successfully pass any examination from the Ontario Police College (OPC) if the SSMPS requires.
The entire process typically takes 4 to 12 months. This includes applying, completing assessments like interviewing, undergoing background checks, etc.
Yes, you are required to have your OACP certificate to apply to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.
The OACP Certificate is a standardized pre-screening tool administered by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. You can begin the process at oacpcertificate.ca, where you will register, complete forms, and undergo a series of assessments including cognitive and personality tests, a fitness log and medical documentation.
The certificate currently costs $250 CAD, plus tax. It’s valid for one year. Re-testing is available after ten months if needed.
The OACP has also created a study guide to help you prepare to become a police officer.
The certificate is valid for one year from the date issued.
Applications are not accepted in-person or via email.
1. Click on the "View Current Career Opportunities" button on any of our career path pages to view posted positions. Click on the job number to view a specific posting.
2. You will be taken to a full description page. If you are interested in applying to that position, click the "Apply" button at the bottom of that page.
3. You will then be prompted to create select "New Applicant" or "Returning User." If you are a new applicant you will need to create a user profile. If you do not have an email account, you can set one up with a free email provider such as Gmail.
4. Ensure you have all of the documents uploaded as your application will not be submitted without having all required documents in the system.
5. An email confirming your application will be automatically sent to you when you have applied successfully. If you do not receive an email, your application has not uploaded to the competition and will remain in the candidate profile.
We thank all of those who apply; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
To learn more about the physical fitness test, scoring, and recommended preparation program, visit our Physical Fitness Requirements webpage.
Yes, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will work with the candidate to accommodate their schedule. We would have the candidate attend Sault Ste. Marie and complete a fitness test. If successful, then the candidate would have an interview the same day.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service conducts a blended interview, using the Essential Competencies Interview and Local Focus Interview.
We recommend using the STAR method for answering interview questions. Every answer should include:
Applications are valid for one year from the date that you have applied.
This is a competitive process. Your process may be stopped at any time if you are deemed not to be competitive or concerns arise. Applicants are continually being assessed on their qualifications including education, driving ability, physical fitness, good moral character, and writing skills. Your conduct prior to and throughout the process will assess your integrity, leadership, and people skills.
The information you provide will help us to determine whether you meet certain requirements of good moral character and habits as well as conditions of work, as referenced by the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA). Your answers may be verified through a detailed background check, which is a routine requirement for candidates who reach the final stages of the selection process. Please be advised that providing false or misleading information may lead to disqualification from the selection process.
Factors that will come up in a background check and may disqualify you include (but are not limited to): recent police involvement, intimate partner (domestic) violence, criminal charges, affiliation with criminal activity, etc.