Shannon McLeod always knew she wanted to be a police officer.
Growing up, the 26-year-old was taught to respect the law and to serve her community in any capacity.
"Both my parents are lawyers," she told The Record. "Respect for the law and serving your community, public service, that's always been number one with my family. It's something they've instilled in me since I was very young."
McLeod is one the New Westminster Police Department's newest recruits. After an intense five-month hiring process, she was officially sworn in on Sept. 9.
The hiring process can be overwhelming, but if policing is something you've always dreamed of doing you'll make it through, McLeod said.
"You have to be able to commit long-term because it's not something that's going to happen overnight. There's multiple interviews and applications, forms you have to fill out, tests you have to take, so you have to be willing to commit," she added.
There are 14 steps involved in the application process for prospective recruits. It begins with a formal application followed by a lifestyle and integrity questionnaire, written exam, sergeant interview, Justice Institute assessment, language proficiency test, typing test, ride-along, panel interview, psychologist interview, background investigation, polygraph test, medical exam, and ends with an interview with the chief of the department.
For McLeod, the biggest challenge was the background interview, which is uncomfortable because it opens you up to so much scrutiny, she said.
"Everyone makes mistakes in their lives, but also everyone has great things that they've done and great learning experiences, and it's just owning up to everything you've done," she added. "You go through a huge personal insight into everything you've accomplished and how much you've grown and it can be kind of challenging."
Once McLeod was hired she began the nine-month recruitment process, starting with three months of academic studies and training at the Justice Institute of British Columbia followed by three months of field training at the department and a final three months back at the Justice Institute.
McLeod is currently finishing up her three-month field training with the department. During field training she is treated as a full-fledged constable, which she technically is, but partnered with an experienced officer. Together, McLeod and her partner respond to general calls and patrol the city.
On March 17 she will return to the Justice Institute for her remaining three months of education before she graduates and is officially assigned a watch at the New Westminster Police Department - something she's been anticipating for a long time.
"(Policing has) always been a career I've wanted to pursue, and specifically in New Westminster," she said. "It's really forward thinking and progressive in the way it does its policing. It's also just the perfect size. Vancouver is a very large department, you can kind of get lost in the numbers, but New Westminster is able to provide you all the opportunities that you need, or that you want, all those specialties and secondments."
What specialty McLeod will pursue, she isn't sure yet. She is concentrating on finishing her training, graduating from the recruitment program, and finding her place at the department, she said.
"(New Westminster has) everything that you'd want to do in policing, but it's still that atmosphere - that small, personal atmosphere where everyone knows your name. It's a family here," she added.
Choosing New Westminster, while an easy decision for McLeod, wasn't one she made lightly. She recommends anyone considering a career in policing to look at all departments, including the RCMP, before applying.
"It's an important thing to do because this is where you're going to spend the next 25 to 30 years. You want to make sure it's the right department and you're making the decision for the right reasons and you're going somewhere you know you can last," she said.
The New Westminster Police Department hires new recruits on an ongoing basis depending on how many positions it has to fill each year. Currently, the department is hiring for the upcoming May recruitment session at the Justice Institute.
According to New Westminster Sgt. Diana McDaniel, who was hired in 1997, the department is looking for recruits with good character and a well-rounded background - similar to McLeod.
McLeod has a bachelor's degree from the University of Victoria and a community mental health certificate from Camosun College. She also has experience working with homeless people struggling with mental health issues and addiction.
"Certainly that helped with my application process here in New West," she added.
To apply for the next round of recruitment, contact Sgt. Diana McDaniel at 604-525-5411 or [email protected].
For more information on becoming a New Westminster police officer, visit http://tinyurl.com/JoinNWPD.
Advice for potential applicants from a current recruit:
- Do your homework: What department are you best suited for? It's not just what department will have you, it's what department you are best matched to.
- RCMP vs. Municipal: Consider what kind of opportunities you want and which environment you are best suited to.
- Think long-term: This is a decision that will shape the next 25 to 30 years of your life.
