Alberta COPS (Career Opportunities in Police Services), a project that represents all 12 police agencies throughout the Canadian province, is using video gaming to attract new recruits.

Alberta COPS wanted to communicate with young people through a medium in which they are comfortable, and Tamara Fahlman, project manager for Alberta COPS, told Recruiter that more than 7,745 people have so far played the first-person game, Impaired Driver, get them off the streets.

“There are some key skills incorporated into the game that make good police officers, like decision-making and observation skills,” she said. “We hope that agencies across the province can use this as an interactive tool to assist them in finding the best recruits possible for their service.”

The game begins in a typical parade room where officers are given their orders for the shift and is intended to give players an insight into a patrol or general duty constable’s world. The player completes three tasks within a specified time frame, which involves them driving and walking.

As well as being available on the website, the game is available for all Alberta police agencies to use at career fairs and presentations.

Alongside the video game, Alberta COPS has been working with students in the development and execution of on-campus recruitment marketing campaigns.

Students from Alberta College of Art + Design have created a career fair package and their ideas include an interactive touch screen with stories from different officers and a ’mug shot’ wall.

http://albertacops.ca