Selection Process
To become an Auxiliary member, a selection committee interviews and screens applicants to ensure they possess a strong commitment to the community. Once a member is selected, a vigorous training and testing process begins.
Auxiliary members are selected on the basis of their ability to complete the training program and their availability for service throughout the year. We demand that each Auxiliary member be available for a minimum of 12 hours each month, and that he or she attend regular in-service training sessions and monthly meetings.
Initial training consists of classroom instruction, physical restraining methods, and firearms qualification. Although Auxiliary members are not issued firearms, they must be capable of handling them in unusual or critical circumstances.
Auxiliary Officers are trained by other Auxiliary Officers as well as by members of the York Regional Police Training Bureau. A recruit attends training classes two nights a week, for 10 consecutive weeks, including occasional weekends (may include both Saturday and Sunday). This obligation is mandatory to become an Auxiliary member.
The training program consists of powers of arrest and duties of an Auxiliary Police Officer. Other topics include the Criminal Code, Traffic/Crowd Control, Search and Rescue, Firearms and Defensive Tactics.
Auxiliary Officers are classified as civilians and only have citizen’s powers of arrest upon completion of training.
Upon successfully graduating, Auxiliary Officers are generally assigned to work in the divisions in which they live. However, they must be prepared to serve anywhere within York Region.
Is it the Right Opportunity for You?
Before deciding if you want to become an Auxiliary Police Officer, you should consider the realities of what is involved as a member of the Auxiliary Unit.
Auxiliary Police are Citizens, trained to assist regular full time police officers in their day-to-day duties. They must also be prepared to assume the role of a police officer should the need arise due to an emergency.
They are VOLUNTEERS that receive no remuneration for their time and effort other than the satisfaction that by assisting the police service, they are making their community a better place to live in.
Many anticipate a glamorous role of being dressed in a smart uniform. The reality is that your duties are routine and sometimes tiring, boring and occasionally frustrating. Your duties may be perform for long hours in extreme weather conditions.
While on duty, you are required to:
- Obey lawful orders implicitly
- Dress and behave as a member of a disciplined organization
- Conform to the Rules and Regulations of the Police Service Act of Ontario and of the York Regional Police Service
If, after considering these factors, you have the right temperament and are ready to dedicate yourself to this important voluntary job... there are rewards that do great things for your self-esteem.
There are times of excitement and profound fulfillment when you persevere and apply yourself with interest and diligence.
Being an Auxiliary Police volunteer holds great demands from very special individuals who really want to do a particularly tough job!
You must be sure, now and for the long term, that you are prepared to function as an Auxiliary officer should you be selected to join the Auxiliary Unit. The York Regional Police Service allocates a substantial budget to recruit, train and uniform each recruit to the Auxiliary Unit. If you are unable to make a serious commitment, you are earnestly requested to decline the opportunity of entering the Service, so that someone else who can make the commitment is able to do so.
