Career Diversity
Most people's perception of a police officer is of a uniform in a car and is very different from how it is portrayed through media. In reality, the career of a police officer is far more complex, challenging and exciting.
All new police recruit graduates start their career in the Patrol Division as they learn to deal with the many issues associated with crime prevention, detection and the consequences. Once the basics have been mastered, Abbotsford PD offers the opportunity for its members to move into a number of specialty sections for 2-5 years in duration. These sections allow for the member to specialize in particular aspects of crime detection, prevention, or investigation and include:
- Major Crime Unit
- Forensic Identification Section
- Crime Reduction Unit
- Gang Suppression Unit
- Drug Enforcement Unit
- Intelligence Unit
- Community Policing
- Bike Squad
- Youth Squad
- Traffic Enforcement Unit
- Recruiting
- Training
- Firearms
- Professional Standards
In addition, APD is involved in a number of integrated units with other police agencies and APD members can be seconded to these units for a defined period. These include:
- MIERT - Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team
- FVIRSU - Fraser Valley Integrated Road safety Unit
- IGTF - Integrated Gang Task Force
- IBET - Integrated Border Enforcement Team
- IMPACT - Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team
- CFSEU - Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit
- IHIT - Integrated Homicide Investigation Team
- FVIDS - Fraser Valley Integrated Dog Section
Finally, there is opportunity to take on a teaching role at the Justice Institute of BC assisting with the training of recruits and in advanced programs.
Policing is, therefore, a multi-faceted and opportunistic career development medium. Each year an officer will discuss career options with a supervisor and can state a preference to move to one of the specialty sections. Most transfers are competitive but, if successful, such a move will increase the skills and knowledge of the individual through a series of exciting challenges.
