[impactX]

I've worked in the VPD previously and I wrote them a training manual about a year after VPD took over the jail. It's different with the VPD, you will have immediate backup, at the same time, you will also get your hands dirty almost every day because of the reasons I've listed above. Being lied to about having nothing in their pockets and then finding frigging used needles in their pockets are all so common and are part of the risk you have to take. Eg: I got a used needle stick injury through no fault of my own when I was about to leave the VPD, it kinda put things into perspective.

From what I've heard, the inmates are usually pretty well behaved at the pretrial centers and I have heard stories from my then-supervisor (who's ex-BC corrections) that if you aren't an asshole, some inmates would help you if there are inmates who want to harm you. Yeah you will have back up... but most likely from a different location than yours (eg: different unit). You will rely on your emergency transmitter to call for help. Once you press it, other officers will all run to your location.

It really depends on what you are after for your career. Other than the police agencies and BC Corrections, there are also Federal Corrections (the environment is kind of grim according to a buddy of mine who's from Federal Corrections and now in the RCMP) and BC Sheriff who (usually) gets Saturday and Sunday off because the courts don't open on Saturday and Sunday.

If you really want the most fun out of your career, policing is really where it's at as long as you aren't stuck behind a desk. Of course, there will always be dog-fuckers in every working environment; but so far, all of my buddies who got into the RCMP are having a blast and you will, 99% of the time, be posted back in the lower mainland once you graduate from Depot.