More than 80 people attended a career event hosted by the Belleville Police Service at their headquarters Wednesday evening.
Police service members were on hand to provide demonstrations and explain different policing careers available along with the training and hiring process.
Inspector Rene Aubertin says attendees had the chance to visit with a K-9 officer and and Emergency Response Officer as well as hear from officers in the training unit who demonstrated what is involved in physical testing for a special constable and a police officer and the equipment officers wear.
Belleville Police Service career event, May 28, 2025. (Photo: Alana Cameron/Quinte News)
Special Constables also spoke about their job transporting prisoners to and from court and providing court security.
“So all officers are equipped with body-worn cameras, we have cameras in our cars. We can’t just send that video to court. If you’re walking in the background – you’re not part of the case so we have to make sure you’re blurred out. So a lot of technical time is involved in the background to make sure that’s cleared out.”
Belleville Police Service career event, May 28, 2025. (Photo: Alana Cameron/Quinte News)
“We want people who have done jobs that deal with difficult people because, unfortunately, a lot of what we do is dealing with difficult people. We don’t deal with people at their best. We deal with people when they’re upset and not having a good day. So, what have you done in your life, prior to becoming a police officer that you can relate to that?”
Belleville Police Service career event, May 28, 2025. (Photo: Alana Cameron/Quinte News)
Aubertin says events like this are important for the service as interest in policing is down across the country.
“And when I was trying to get hired, you know, one job there might be hundreds of applications. Definitely less interest and less number of applications and when you’re trying to fill seats we always want the best people. So we want the biggest pool we can get so we can make sure we hire the best people.”
“Across the province there’s a goal of having 30 per cent women in the police service – 30 by 30 is the goal. We’re well on our way. I think we’re in the 26 per cent range for Belleville police, which is fantastic and, you know, but we want to get to that 30 by 30 range.”
