Constable - Crisis Intervention and Prevention Unit (PHMOT)

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is Surrey’s new municipal police agency. The transition from the RCMP to SPS is well underway and SPS has spent the past three years building a local, modern, accountable police service for Surrey residents. On November 29, 2024, SPS will become the police of jurisdiction, assuming responsibility for policing and law enforcement in Surrey.

SPS is working to redefine policing with innovative new approaches and community-based solutions. It’s an exciting time as SPS continues to expand our team with talented people who want to help shape the future of policing in Surrey. We have already hired over 400 employees and will grow to be one of the largest independent police services in Canada. Since day one, SPS has been intentional about building a culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, with a strong focus on employee wellness and career development.

This position is within SPS’s Crisis Intervention and Prevention Unit, formerly the Surrey RCMP’s Police Mental Health Outreach Team (PHMOT).  

The role of the Crisis Intervention and Prevention Unit is to provide a collaborative array of partnership programs that includes crisis assessments, outreach, and support

Constables are required to meet and maintain the highest professional standards required of their role, by conducting themselves in a manner reflective of the SPS Motto, Mission, Vision, and Core Values. They have a strong work ethic and are committed to a community-based policing model that looks beyond immediate issues and searches for realistic longer-term answers to complex community and social issues and emerging risks and trends, specific to crisis intervention and prevention.

• Work as a team with a Fraser Health nurse and provide police support. This will include outreach, sharing client information, as well as conducting investigations and any subsequent follow-ups into both criminal and civil matters involving clients engaged in partnership programs.

• Provides support to patrol and other sections within SPS with respect to mental health concerns.

• Assists in the management of client files, including PRIME reports, CPIC flags and other police databases.

• Prepare all documents, collection of evidence, and reports in support of the criminal justice process.

• Acts as a resource person to police, government agencies, and the community on matters related to the unit and mental health. This may include representing the team at meetings and presentations to SPS senior management and various stakeholders.

• Conduct risk assessments and if necessary, apprehend and/or arrest persons under the provisions in the Mental Health Act (Section 28, Form 21’s, 4’s and 10’s) and the Criminal Code of Canada.

• Maintains basic level of knowledge on mental health matters, including but not limited to the SPS Policies and Procedures, the Mental Health Act, and partnership programs.

• Enforces Criminal Code offences, Mental Health Act, provincial statutes, and the Motor Vehicle Act. Demonstrates an understanding of the use of force continuum and maintains a level of proficiency that meets the SPS standards.

• Interact with and develop positive relationships with persons displaying or suffering mental illness.

• Contributes to a positive and collaborative team environment, including sharing information, ideas, and expertise.

Capability to work in both a plainclothes and uniformed capacity.

• More than 2 years of exemplary police service, with related training/experience.

• Has attended and has successfully completed the required police training from a recognized police academy as per the BCPPS. See link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/law-crime-and-justice/criminal-justice/police/standards/2-2-1p-exemption-process.pdf.

• As per the BCPPS, retired police officers with less then three (3) years into retirement are eligible to apply (providing they had successfully completed the required police training from a recognized police academy, as noted above.

• Education in a related field or equivalent work experience, supplemented by certifications and training demonstrating a track record of continuous development.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to focus messaging and with the ability to understand/evolve presentations and messaging to the needs of the audience.

• Able to proactively develop effective working relationships with colleagues, partners, and diverse stakeholders. 

• Excellent teamwork skills, demonstrating awareness of individual differences, opinions and providing support and input as required.

• Ability to engage partners as required to develop strategies and processes and solve problems.

• Problem solving skills with the ability to identify cause and effect and develop a course of action designed to target root causes as well as manage impacts. 

• Able to identify, analyze and manage risk to inform balanced, proportionate, evidence-based decisions.

• Able to review and reflect on own performance objectively and to take steps to maintain and enhance competence and professional standards appropriate to the role.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills with the able to appropriately prioritize and plan own work.

• Skilled in the use of standard IT packages, systems and/or databases to fulfil role requirements.

• Client-centered focus and ensure SPS stakeholders, direct or indirect, are treated in accordance with the core values of SPS.

• Demonstrated experience in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

The following education and/or designations are deemed assets:

• Degree, graduate degree, or recent professional development in: Psychology, Social Work/Counselling, Police Negotiator, or field related to the responsibilities.

The following job specific experiences are deemed assets:

• Experience in dealing with vulnerable populations including those living with mental health issues, addiction or the inadequately housed.

• Experience working with community partners.

• Ability to work both alone and with a partner.

• Previous plainclothes experience.

Conditions of Employment 

• Successful applicant must obtain and maintain the required level of security clearance.

• Successful applicant must provide proof of qualifications.

• Successful applicant must be fully operational and fit for duty. This includes the following abilities and requirements:

• Licensed and able to operate a police vehicle and attend calls for service.

• Qualified and able to use issued force options as and when required (i.e. baton, OC, firearm).

• Trained and able to engage the public in a variety of circumstances, including physical contact if required.

• Able to wear protective equipment, including body armour.

• Be available to be on call as required to support operations.

Please note:

Substantive Corporals who are hired as Constables with SPS will be paid at 115% of SPS’s First Class Constable rate, providing they have at least eight years of policing service. They may also apply for SPS’s Sergeant Promotion Process without participating in the Sergeant Qualification Process, providing they pass the SPS Sergeant Exam and apply for promotion within five years of joining SPS

Our Values

Values of Honour, Integrity, Respect, Courage, Compassion, and Inclusiveness guide how we serve Surrey residents, engage with the community we serve, and work with each other to keep the community safe. These values are the foundation of our commitment to delivering excellence in policing service to Surrey citizens.