Police Officer

Daryl is a constable with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). Educated at the University of Alberta and Dalhousie University, he currently wears several hats in his work. As the Indigenous Liaison Officer, he handles all of the Indigenous issues that come to the EPS. He works in the Recruiting Unit and the Selection Unit, travelling across Canada looking for the best people to join the ranks, and also has a hand in interviewing and choosing who will be sent to the Academy. He is also on the Disaster Services Team and the Harassment Board. As a member of the Critical Incident Stress Management Team, he helps members involved in traumatic events.

Stephanie: What made you decide to become a police officer? How did you become a police officer?
Daryl: I have always wanted to be a police officer. I cannot remember wanting another career or doing anything else with my life. Even very early in school I was directing my path to the goal of being a police officer. In the late 1980s, while in my second year at the University of Alberta, I applied and was fortunate enough to be successful in my challenge to all the Edmonton Police Service tests. I was a very young recruit at 19 years old.

Stephanie: What do you like about your job?
Daryl: Very few jobs allow you to make a difference. Every day I go to work and make decisions that affect peoples' lives. I have the opportunity to help individuals and give back to my community. The satisfaction of doing what's right and helping others makes this the best job in the world as far as I am concerned. I would do my job for free I love it so much.

Stephanie: What is your least favourite part of the job?
Daryl: The cowardly and unwarranted attacks on police officers and policing we see in the media from people who are ignorant of what we do. I have accepted all the "bad" things that come with the actual execution of my duties as a police officer. What I struggle with is the negativity expressed towards policing situations or police officers in general from people unable or unwilling to do the job or learn more about it.

Stephanie: What advice do you have for someone considering becoming a police officer?
Daryl: Stay in school. Choose your associates with care. Think about every one of your actions before you commit yourself.

Stephanie: What kind of an education do you need to be a police officer? What kind of education did you get? What are some of the other requirements (i.e., physical requirements, vision standards, citizenship, etc.)?
Daryl: The minimum education you need to be a member of the EPS is two years of post-secondary education. I studied criminology at the University of Alberta and human resource management at Dalhousie University. I have three and a half years of university study in criminology with a major in sociology and a dual minor in psychology and political science. I also have a university certificate in police leadership with a concentration in supervisory skills. All of our recruiting standards can been seen on the Edmonton Police website.

Stephanie: Who is your favourite fictional police officer and why?
Daryl: I don't really have a favourite fictional police officer, but my favourite superhero is Batman. Batman is my hero because he doesn't waste any time with talk. He is action-oriented. Once he has identified a problem, he fixes it. He can always be counted on to do the right thing. He doesn't worry about the decision being popular or if there was an easier path to take. He does the right thing at the right time all the time. That shows a high level of character and faith in self.

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