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Police looking for a few good men and women Continued from pg. 1 This high degree of variety is one major draw for people who simply can't be satisfied by endless daily routine, said Payne, who adds that even after 24 years in uniform he can't wait to come to work. Craddock explained that, with the right attitude and thirst for learning and new challenges, police officers can virtually "choose their own path" through the service's many units and assignments. "It's a life-long career," she said. Payne agrees: "Variety is the spice of life, so policing is very challenging and rewarding-- plus you can really help people. You can look in the mirror and tell yourself you made a difference. If you're dedicated to helping people, this is the job for you." With that in mind, HRPS is actively hiring and to that end launched a new recruitment campaign recently, complete with advertising in bus shelters and in movie theatres plus billboards throughout Halton. The ads feature a smiling HRPS Const. Noel Bowe. The billboard HRPS was interesting in utilizing in Georgetown was not available. Craddock said the northern part of the region will be targeted more extensively in a future advertising campaign where ads will be run in malls and on GO trains. One reason for the stepped-up recruitment effort is so the police service can draw from as large an applicant pool as possible, something that is becoming increasingly difficult, said Craddock, since applications are down 25 per cent province-wide. At the same time, more than 50 HRPS officers are currently eligible for retirement. Not all plan to leave right away, says Craddock, but the potential is there to impact the service of approximately 500 officers. A large pool is also necessary because so few of those who apply end up making the cut and, says Craddock, HRPS can't and won't lower standards simply to fill its ranks. "They are all good people but not all meet the hiring criteria," said Craddock, explaining that during the January-March 2006 intake period, only six of 105 applicants made the grade after a battery of intense testing. "This is concerning because not everyone is qualified so we need a large pool." Payne said HRPS is making a special appeal to Halton residents to apply and "take ownership of their own community." Police Constables wanted! Investigate the options. To apply, visit our website at: hrps.on.ca Halton to have 34 new officers by year's end Several new constables have just joined the Halton Regional Police Service, thanks to the provincial government's Safer Communities-- 1,000 Officers Partnership program. Two of the half-dozen officers who graduated July 27 from Ontario Police College have been assigned to Halton Hills. Fourteen officers have already been hired and are on duty while an additional 14 new constables are being actively recruited and are expected to be hired by HRPS by the end of this year, for a total of 34 officers under the program. This initiative was announced in 2004 to help municipalities hire 1,000 new police officers before the end of the government's first mandate. So far, approximately 400 officers have been hired and are now on duty across the province. They will soon be joined by the 393 officers hired under the Safer Communities-- 1,000 Officers Partnership program who are among the 468 recruits who completed their training July 27. Approximately 200 additional recruits are expected to start training at the college in September. The Safer Communities-- 1,000 Officers Partnership program, implemented in August 2005, is a key part of the government's plan to foster safer and stronger communities. HALTON REGIONAL POLICE Const. Noel Bowe is featured on Halton Police recruitment ads found throughout Halton. "We want to keep a good thing going," he said. "Halton is a world-class place to be and Halton is a world-class place to police." A recruitment information evening is planned for this fall. In the meantime, potential applicants are encouraged to visit www.hrps.on.ca or call the recruitment information line at 905-825-4747 ext. 5116.