Hiring call at the mall: Cape Breton police, health-care system seek new recruits

There was a police presence at the Mayflower Mall over the weekend, but it had nothing to do with shoplifting or any other crime. In fact, the force is looking for new recruits.

“Right now, we have several open positions - at least a dozen,” said Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Robert Walsh.

The Cape Breton police force and the Nova Scotia Health Authority currently have signage up at the Sydney area mall as part of a hiring blitz of sorts.

For the police, the idea is a high-visibility place might help fill some holes when it comes to both boots on the ground and civilian positions.

“We are continuing to have some staffing shortages due to attrition,” Walsh said. “We have members that are retiring, and we’re always looking for good people to join our team.”

The health-care system is looking to hire not only nurses, but for positions like radiation therapy, X-ray technology and in nutrition.

“I think often, we think of these opportunities for high school graduates or university graduates but in Nova Scotia Health there’s really opportunities wherever you are in your career trajectory,” said Chris Hillier, director of clinical information for the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s Eastern Zone.

Mayflower Mall general manager Greg Morrison explained they have a natural connection in particular with the police, given Cape Breton Regional Police headquarters are right across the street on Grand Lake Road.

“We have different events that we do throughout the year, especially with Shop of The Class in December, with the police department,” Morrison said. “We have a great relationship with them, and it’s more just a tip of the hat as well just to say, ‘Hey guys, we’re here for you.’”

Morrison added the partnership with the police and the health authority is a way of giving back locally.

“Us being a community mall, this is the kind of thing we wanted to get involved with,” he said.

As for what the police force might be looking for in a potential candidate, Walsh said previous life experience of various kinds can be transferred into serving and protecting.

“Whether you have a background in education, maybe even a trade, but you have a will, a desire to help people and work in the community, that’s the key ingredient,” Walsh said.

“That’s what we’re looking for.”

Morrison said the signage will stay up inside the mall for the next few months.

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