Can You Become A Police Officer With Hearing Loss

I Have Some Prior Offence History I Wish To Discuss Before Submitting An Application How Do I Get This Assessed

If you have a criminal, driving or domestic violence history, or have been declared bankrupt or have outstanding warrants, you should have your prior offence history assessed by Recruiting Services prior to sitting your entrance exam. Download the Prior Offence History Guidelines.

If you are still unsure and wish to have your prior history assessed, please complete the Voluntary Disclosure Form and email or post to Recruiting Services Branch, Victoria Police Centre, 637 Flinders Street, Docklands, VIC 3008.

Please provide as much detail as possible in order for Recruitment to conduct a thorough assessment of your prior history, you will be notified within a couple of weeks of the result. A full traffic history extract can be obtained from VicRoads by phoning 13 11 71.

Instructions for submitting your VDF: Your VDF must be submitted using a desktop computer or laptop. In order to successfully submit this document, please click on the link below and save this form to your desktop computer before completing your responses. Using the form you have downloaded, complete the required fields and select the submit button for the form to successfully be sent in for review

• pdf2.72 MB

Police Officer And Coda Whose First Language Is Asl

NYPD officer and CODA Angel Familia is a recent graduate who is now working at the 19th Precinct. Both his parents are deaf. He learned ASL as his first language. Officer Familia will go down in the citys history as the first New York City police officer whose first language is ASL. Spoken English is his second language, though he is a perfectly fluent speaker.

I Have Heard About A Ballot Process What Is This

In circumstances where an urgent need arises a ballot may be required to fill a ‘special position’. These positions are generally located in country areas that from time to time have not been filled by internal transfer methods. In this situation, those members at the end of their probationary period that have not been allocated a position may be transferred to one of these positions. Allocation of these positions is conducted via a ballot process.

Members that have elected to be transferred to a country station will not be subject to the ballot process.

If balloted, you will be required to remain at the location for a minimum of two years but can stay as long as you like after that.

Also Check: Asl For Angel

How To Become A Police Officer In Ontario

The police officer occupation is one of the few jobs where education is not a barrier to earning potential. According to the Ontario government, the average annual police officer salary in Ontario with a high school diploma , earned $106,788 in 2016 compared to police officers with a bachelors degree who earned $106,543. Interestingly enough, degree holders earned $245/year less.

This is great news for those who only have a high school diploma but are looking for a fulfilling career with high-earning potential.

While education barriers are relatively low, becoming a police officer in Ontario is not a job that just any high school graduate can land.

In this article, we outline key information to help you land your dream job including:

• Apply to be an OPP

Threat And Risk Assessments

The safety of the complainant is of paramount concern at all times and takes priority over “evidence-gathering” or “making a case.” Each case must be treated seriously until evidence indicates otherwise. It is crucial to keep in mind that threat and risk assessments are contextualFootnote 108 and only relevant for a specific period. Factors should be updated and re-evaluated as needed for subsequent decision-making. Furthermore, although this process can help the parties make decisions, the absence of “identified risk markers” does not mean that violence will not occur.Footnote 109

The appropriate level or type of intervention in a given case cannot be determined until a threat assessment or risk assessment has been made. While the terms are often used interchangeably, “threat assessment” refers to the process of assessing the risk of violence that the suspect poses to the complainant and assessing the potential impact of contemplated type of intervention on the complainant’s safety. The term “risk assessment” refers more specifically to a developing body of research and tools aimed at improving the ability of various professionals in the criminal and civil justice systems to evaluate “individuals to characterize the risk that they will commit acts of violence and develop interventions to manage or reduce that risk ⦔.Footnote 110

Recommended Reading: How Do U Say Please In Sign Language

Advice To The Complainant

Remind complainants that the potential threat remains, even if they have reported the incident to police and/or obtained a restraining order. Advise them that they have a primary role to play in ensuring their own safety. Recognize that, although it is not fair, victims may be required to alter their lifestyle and usual routines, schedules, transportation routes and places regularly frequented. Emphasize the importance of self-care in order to avoid extreme stress and exhaustion, which may decrease their ability to stay alert or follow a safety plan.Footnote 93

Advise the complainant not to initiate contact with the suspect or agree to such contact.

Advise complainants to tell the stalker to leave them alone only once and not to respond to the stalker’s subsequent communications, regardless of whether they are threatening or polite. Victims should also avoid trying to bargain or reason with the stalker, as such actions may be perceived by the stalker as encouragement or a sign of weakness, and thus increase the potential risk of harm to the victims.Footnote 94

Advise the complainant to maintain a log of all contact with the suspect, including drive-bys and all unusual events, no matter how trivial they seem or whether they can be definitively attributed to the suspect. Advise the complainant that this includes keeping records of any indirect contact the suspect initiates by having the suspect’s friends and relatives contact the complainant on the suspect’s behalf.

Winnipeg Police Service Physical Abilities Test

The WPS-PAT is conducted in a gymnasium with the applicant wearing clothing appropriate for physical activity and consists of:

• Running 400 metres over a six lap course. This includes climbing up and down stairs, jumping over low obstacles.
• Following the six laps the applicant moves to the push/pull station where they will pull and push against 80 lbs of resistance while moving in a controlled half circle. Two controlled falls to the chest are completed after each group of three pulls or three pushes. This sequence is repeated twice.
• Following the push/pull station the applicant completes the test by lifting and carrying 80 lbs a distance of 50 feet.
• The WPS-PAT test must be completed within 4 minutes and 15 seconds.

Note: A WPS-PAT certificate in not required to apply, is valid for one year and must be completed prior to the panel interview

Applicants selected to proceed to the P.A.T. will be notified by email.

Helpful information about the WPS-PAT:

• Training Tips: How to prepare for the WPS-PATNew
• For further information, please visit the University of Manitoba Recreation Services website
• For training opportunities specific to the WPS-PAT please visit the University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba for their Law enforcement conditioning camps

University of Manitoba Tactial Conditioning course

We do not provide photocopies of WPS-PAT certificates.

Don’t Miss: Teach Yourself Sign Language

Police Officers 19% More Likely To Suffer From Hearing Loss

Hearing loss becomes significant in our 50s, but studies show we dont want to admit it. It affects 3.6 million Australians a figure thats set to double by 2060. Between 50-59, men with hearing issues spikes to four times the rate, while numbers double for women .

According to an American study, 34% of police officers were found to have hearing loss, compared to 15% for the general public. Whether its rushing into burning buildings or controlling a large, unruly crowd, emergency workers put their lives on the line, every day.

Noise exposure: An overlooked danger of the job

Instances or prolonged exposure to extreme noise can lead to sensorineural hearing loss. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is mostly attributed to occupational-related noise. Emergency services roles, for example.

Two other causes of hearing loss that are directly related to police work include drug use and physical trauma. Hearing loss can occur as a result of injuries to the ear itself or to the brain. If a police officer is involved in an altercation, breaking up a fight or handling someone who is under the influence, theres a greater risk of physical injuries.

Further to this, the psychological impact of the daily exposure to trauma, death and interactions with law-breaking citizens can lead officers to self-medicate through drugs and alcohol.

Officers, cover your ears

Get your hearing tested yearly. Your livelihood relies on it.

Cover like no other

An Nypd Officer Using Sign Language

HLM: What made you choose becoming a police officer as a career? Were you inspired by anyone or anything?

Officer Familia: I always wanted to become a New York City Police Officer. However, coming from a high crime community and low-income household, I never believed I could accomplish that goal. While in high school, I was able to meet New York City Police Department Executive Director Alden Foster, who is assigned to the Community Affairs Bureau. Director Foster was able to take me under his wing and introduce me to the many opportunities the NYPD has to offer.

Read more: Interacting with masked police officers when youre deaf

HLM: As a police officer working with the public, do you feel obliged to highlight deaf issues, or is this a personal choice for you?

Officer Familia: As a police officer, I serve and protect all people. In terms of dealing with the deaf community, I am a CODA. I have experienced Deaf Culture and it allows me to bridge the gap.

I have experienced Deaf Culture and it allows me to bridge the gap.

Read Also: What Is God In Sign Language

Do I Need To Study Any Particular Subjects To Join Victoria Police

No, common sense is probably the most important prerequisite for employment with Victoria Police. The life skills that you bring and those that you will learn on the job, are most valued by Victoria Police. Any further education is assessed for the relation to what benefit it will have to the organisation.

Category B Conditions For Firefighters Hearing

There are 9 hearing conditions that may or may not disqualify you as a firefighter. The only way to determine accurately if this is the case is to apply for a position and to have them tested by the fire department you are applying to work with.

It is not possible to give you a diagnosis remotely on this and even your own physician may not be correct in any advice that they give .

These conditions are:

Again, wed like to remind you at this point that suffering from any of the conditions on the Category B list does not automatically disqualify you from working as a firefighter. It is something that they would need to examine during the recruitment process.

The ultimate decision as to whether any medical condition, including those related to hearing impairment or hearing loss, is severe enough to prevent you from working as a firefighter is down to the medical staff appointed by that individual fire department.

That means for the majority of people, the only sure way to tell if you can or cant work as a firefighter is to apply and to go through the full recruitment process.

For more information about NFPA 1582, watch this video:

Don’t Miss: Angel Sign Language

Police Officer Salaries In Ontario

The provincial hourly rate ranges from $30.05-$57.69/hr with a median hourly wage of $46.15/hr. The salary range for police officers in Ontario is $56k-$117k/year, while the median annual salary is $97,115/year.

The median employment income in 2015 for police officers in Toronto was $107,627. The median employment income in 2015 for police officers in Ottawa was $105,533, and the median employment income in 2015 for police officers in Hamilton was $106,485.

The starting salary at the Toronto Police Service is $70,643.30/year. By the fourth year, expected the annual salary to be $100,923.48/year. Benefits include paid vacation, family medical and dental benefits, life insurance, pension plan, and paternal and maternity leave.

The starting salary at the Ottawa Police Service is $67,615.92/year. By the fourth year, depending on your performance reviews, the annual salary is expected to increase to $99,434.93/year. Benefits include education reimbursement programs, a generous pension plan, medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, as well as long-term disability insurance.

Meanwhile, if working for the Ontario Provincial Police , the average salary is roughly $100,500/year.

Here is a list of average salaries for police officers in Ontario, according to Glassdoor:

Growing Up With Hearing Loss

HLM: What was your childhood like growing up as a child of Deaf parents?

Officer Familia: During my childhood, I had already felt the need to take on responsibility and mature quickly. Imagine performing as an ASL interpreter at the age of 10. My parents would take me to every appointment, errand, anything you can think of, I was present. When a hearing person would question my parents, they would turn to me and say, What did they say? This was a frequent occurrence in which I began to normalize the situation.

HLM: What was home life like for you? Would you say you had a good, balanced childhood?

Officer Familia: Coming from a very low-income family, I lived in a one bedroom apartment with three other siblings. There were strenuous moments, but the compacted space did strengthen our family relationships.

HLM: How did you do in school?

Officer Familia: I remember attending mainstream school as a pre-kindergarten student, walking into class filled with hearing students it was a culture shock. I was an introverted student because I was acclimated to my Deaf Culture at home. Being quiet and expressing with my hands and face was typical for me. Eventually I was considered an ESL student and was meeting a speech pathologist throughout grade school.

I was an introverted student because I was acclimated to my Deaf Culture at home.

Read more: What it is like being a hearing child of deaf parents?

You May Like: Autoinsufflation Ear Infection

Cops With Hearing Aids

• Send any friend a story

  As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.

  Give this article

• Read in app

SHOULD police officers be allowed to wear hearing aids?

In 2011, two New York City police officers, each with 20 years on the force, were forcibly retired for doing just that.

The year before, the N.Y.P.D. had finalized a policy requiring recruits to pass the standard hearing test without hearing aids. Officers who requested hearing aids would also be given the test. If they couldnt pass it without the aids, they were off the force. Before that, any existing policy was not enforced.

When the issue is public safety, we understandably want the standards to be very high. But most people dont understand hearing loss, and they dont understand hearing aids. The N.Y.P.D. didnt, and neither did I initially.

Daniel Carione, a deputy inspector, and James Phillips, a sergeant, had both suffered hearing loss on the job: Mr. Carione was involved in a shootout, and his partners gun went off close to his ear Mr. Phillips was assigned to police a demonstration of whistle-blowing construction workers. When they later began to worry about their hearing, the N.Y.P.D. had them tested, and then provided high-quality hearing aids for them. Mr. Carione has a hearing aid in one ear, Mr. Phillips in both. The two officers went back to their jobs.

How Long Is The Recruitment Process

The recruitment process for police officers is very complex, it is currently taking 6-9 months to complete. This period can extend if further checking or testing is required. To ensure that your application runs smoothly, please ensure that you respond to all calls and/or emails from Recruiting Services and return all paperwork at your earliest convenience.

Read Also: How To Do Abc In Sign Language

The National Flagging System For High

Officers who have been investigating an offender who they believe is at high risk of committing serious violent or sexually violent crimes should consider contacting their provincial or territorial NFS Coordinator in order to obtain information about the offender and/or to suggest the offender be added to the National Flagging System for High-Risk Offenders. This system identifies the highest risk violent and sexually violent offenders nationally who are considered prime candidates for Dangerous and Long-term Offender applications. In addition, the system provides for a flag on CPIC, facilitating broad sharing of information about these offenders nationally among police and Crowns, regardless of which provincial or territorial jurisdiction made the identification. Each province and territory has a National Flagging System Coordinator who identifies individuals that should be flagged, and who coordinates the collection of information about the offenders. The coordinators also facilitate the transfer of this information to police and Crown prosecutors upon request.

The NFS alerts police to the fact that they are dealing with a high risk violent offender immediately upon the officer or member performing a CPIC check, and alerts Crowns to potential dangerousness. This assists in the proper handling of the individual from his or her encounter with police through to sentencing.

What Kind Of Shifts Will I Be Expected To Work

Victoria Police provides a 24-hour, seven day-a-week service, therefore as a Constable you will be required to work a variety of shifts associated with particular duties and locations. This includes weekends, night shifts and public holidays. The arrangement for ordinary hours of work is described in the The Victoria Police Force Enterprise Agreement 2011. The ordinary hours of work for full-time members is 80 hours per fortnight arranged within various shifts to suit service delivery needs. Intrusive hours and unsociable hours attract shift allowances for each of these hours worked.

You May Like: Witch Hazel For Ear Infection