Policing is more than simply responding to calls for service. Officers can greatly impact the lives of the people they interact with in a positive way.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is actively meeting, recruiting, and hiring the best applicants to join us as uniformed police constables. We are committed to being an employer of choice and we pride ourselves in having a professional, diverse, and supportive workplace.
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.
| Police Cadet | $61,522.03 - $64,980.34 |
| 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
This isn’t just a job. It’s a commitment to showing up every day for your community, your team, and yourself. Whether you’re enforcing the law, responding to a crisis, or simply building trust with your neighbours, this is a career where character matters.
The people who thrive in policing share a few key traits:
Respect for Others
Compassion
Strong Sense of Duty
Empathy
Clear Communication
Team-First Mindset
Steady Under Pressure
Honesty
Dependability
Police officers are responsible for preserving the peace, preventing crimes, assisting victims, enforcing the law, and maintaining public safety.
Preserving Peace
Preventing Crime
Enforcing the Law
Assisting Victims
Maintaining Road Safety
Building Trust
Our friendly Uniform Recruitment team is here to answer your questions and help you with the application process.
For more information about becoming a Recruit Constable, contact Sergeant Derek MacFarlane at d.macfarlane@ssmps.org or (705) 949-6300 ext. 238.
Uniform Patrol
Uniform Patrol members work 12-hour shifts. Their schedule typically consists of two consecutive day shifts followed by two consecutive night shifts, and then four days off.
Investigation Services
Detectives in Investigation Services work eight-hour shifts. Their schedule rotates between day shifts and afternoon shifts.
Benefits of Shift Work
Working nights, weekends and holidays is a valid concern for many people. It can be hard to picture a career outside the typical 9-to-5, especially when you’re thinking about family or routine. However, shift work comes with some interesting upsides—including more time off than if you work regular 8-hour shifts.
Because shift work follows a structured and pre-set schedule, it often opens up time for things you might not typically have time for.
For example, it gives you time to pursue hobbies, support your family outside of rush hour periods, or even run a small business on the side. For those looking to make the most of their schedule, whether for personal growth or extra income, this structure can be a real advantage.
It’s true that police officers are often called into tense or unpredictable situations. Conflict is part of the job, and that can feel daunting, especially for those without experience in high-pressure environments.
What many people may not realize is just how much training goes into preparing officers for these moments. Recruits complete more than 100 hours of focused instruction over the course of 9 to 12 weeks, learning how to assess situations, communicate clearly and respond with control and care. In fact, many calls are not combative at all. That’s why a significant portion of training focuses on communication: learning how to listen, diffuse tension, and support people through challenging situations.
Policing is often in the public eye, and recent conversations in the media have raised important and sometimes difficult questions. That level of attention can feel personal, and it’s something every officer needs to be aware of.
At the same time, this kind of scrutiny has created space for progress. Many people entering the profession today, people like you, see it as an opportunity to be part of something better. That’s why many officers are increasingly using platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube to build bridges and share their experience on the job.
Officers are encouraged to bring their full selves to the job, and many openly share what the work means to them. These honest, human moments, whether in person or online, help build trust. Because at the end of the day, it’s the personal interactions that leave the strongest impressions.
Salary
Police officers earn competitive salaries that increase steadily with training and experience. Policing also offers long-term job security. It’s a profession that is consistently in demand and supported by strong union representation, clear pay structures and well-defined pathways for progression.
Effective January 1, 2024 - July 1, 2026
Benefits
Policing is not a one-track job. With time and experience, officers can advance through clearly defined ranks, including: Constable, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Inspector, Deputy Chief, and Chief of Police.
Beyond promotion, officers also have the chance to join specialized units that reflect their interests or strengths.
Whether you’re drawn to leadership, tactical work, investigations, or community connection, there’s a path forward for you.
Under section 82 (1) of the Community Safety and Policing Act, the duties of a police officer include,
(a) preserving the peace;
(b) preventing crimes and other offences and providing assistance and encouragement to other persons in their prevention;
(c) assisting victims of crime;
(d) apprehending criminals and other offenders and others who may lawfully be taken into custody;
(e) laying charges and participating in prosecutions;
(f) executing warrants that are to be executed by police officers and performing related duties;
(g) performing the lawful duties that the chief of police assigns;
(h) completing training required by this Act or the regulations;
(i) complying with the prescribed code of conduct; and
(j) performing such other duties as are assigned to him or her by or under this or any other Act, including any prescribed duties.
Minimum Requirements:
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service’s selection standards are high. If you are not presently able to minimally meet all these standards, you may want to consider taking time to improve your level of competitiveness.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply to a police service. There are no other age limitations.
Being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is a requirement to becoming a police officer in Ontario.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service requires applicants to provide proof that they meet the minimum education requirements (i.e. a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education).
Yes. We are committed to hiring the most suitable applicants.
Good character is of the utmost importance in the decision to hire a Recruit Constable. Some of the qualities, characteristics, and skills we look for are (in no particular order):
Police Officers must be in good health. Candidates must pass medical, vision and hearing standards. Applicants with concerns about their health should get advice from a medical professional before applying.
Yes. We require proof of successful completion of high school (secondary school), regardless of whether you provide proof of successful completion of college or university (post-secondary school or other continuing education).
If your high school education took place outside of Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment of your secondary school credentials may be required.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service requires applicants to provide proof that they meet the minimum education requirements (i.e. a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education).
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated in the following phases:
Candidates who received a conditional offer of employment must attend and pass (75%) training at the Ontario Police College (OPC).
The entire process typically takes 4 to 12 months. This includes applying, completing assessments like the OACP Certificate, interviewing, undergoing background checks and completing the 12-week Basic Constable Training at the Ontario Police College.
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.
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.
Yes; however, if you have previously applied for this position, you may receive an error message indicating you have already applied. Please sign in to the application portal and replace any documents that require updating. After ensuring all of your documents are up-to-date, please contact Sergeant Derek MacFarlane in Uniform Recruitment via email d.macfarlane@ssmps.org to advise your documents have been updated and you would like to re-apply.