COMPARATIVE POLICING

SYSTEM
(CANADA)
SHORT BACKGROUND
• Canada, second largest country in the world in area (after Russia),
occupying roughly the northern two-fifths of the continent of North
America.
• Canada is officially bilingual in English and French, reflecting the country’s
history as ground once contested by two of Europe’s great powers.
• The word Canada is derived from the Huron-Iroquois kanata, meaning a
village or settlement.
• The national capital is Ottawa, Canada’s fourth largest city. It lies some
250 miles (400 km) northeast of Toronto and 125 miles (200 km) west of
Montreal, respectively Canada’s first and second cities in terms of
population and economic, cultural, and educational importance.
HISTORY OF POLICING
• The first signs of any Canadian legal traditions can be traced back all
the way to 1651, when Quebec City adopted a watchman system
modelling that of various cities in France.
• During the same time, Ontario (formerly known as Upper Canada)
fashioned its own legal system after English traditions, establishing a
constabulary and a watch-and-ward system.
• In 1835, Toronto established a police department based on England’s
Metropolitan Police Act and both Quebec and Montreal followed the
city’s lead shortly after in 1838 and 1840.
• And finally, provincial police forces were established for Eastern
Canada’s rural areas in 1867.
• Students enrolled in police foundations courses know that the North
West Mounted Police (NWMP, known today as the RCMP) was
officially created in 1873 by the Parliament of Canada.
• The officers that made up the police force were tasked with the
responsibility of halting aggression from American whiskey traders in
Alberta.
• The North West Mounted Police force was responsible for protecting
Aboriginal people, as well as managing prairie fires and fighting
disease.
THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED
POLICE
• French: Gendarmerie royale du Canada
• Royal Gendarmerie of Canada'; colloquially known as the "Mounties"
• The RCMP is Canada’s national police force – providing an array of services
from municipal policing, to national security intelligence gathering, to the
legendary Musical Ride.
• RCMP remains one of Canada's most iconic national institutions.
• As Canada's national police force, the RCMP is primarily responsible for
enforcing federal laws throughout Canada while general law and order
including the enforcement of the criminal code and applicable provincial
legislation is constitutionally the responsibility of the provinces and
territories. Larger cities may form their own municipal police departments.
• The facilities of the national police service of the RCMP—crime-
detection laboratories and the identification branch of the force—are
available to all authorized police forces. The RCMP-sponsored
Canadian Police College is attended by selected members of the force
and outside forces. The RCMP is a member of the International
Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
REQUIREMENTS IN RCMP
• Qualifications and standards to become an RCMP officer
• The RCMP is seeking highly motivated team players who possess
strong leadership abilities, from a wide range of backgrounds. All
applicants are expected to reflect the core values of the RCMP
(integrity, honesty, professionalism, compassion, respect and
accountability).
• The length of our recruiting process varies for each individual
applicant. Factors such as, how quickly and accurately an applicant
completes and returns their selection package forms, the number of
locations the individual has lived, and if the applicant has lived abroad
can impact the time needed to process an application.
Application requirements
To apply as a police officer of the RCMP you must:
1. Be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status in
Canada. Individuals with permanent resident status must have resided
in Canada for the last 10 consecutive years.
2. Be at least 19 years of age at the time of engagement. There
is no age limit to apply to the RCMP. Our eligibility requirements are
designed to identify those who are best qualified to become police
officers of the RCMP. The selection process is very thorough and
consists of various screening tools to ensure that applicants meet a
high standard of suitability. All applicants must pass all of our
standards, including the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation
(PARE) as well as our medical evaluation.
3. Be proficient in English and/or French. You must be fluent in either
English or French, including being able to speak, write, read and
understand either official language. You do not need to be bilingual.
4. Possess a valid, unrestricted driver's licence. Driving experience is
important, as all Cadets graduating from the academy will be driving a
police car in a community. If your driving has been limited, it would be to
your advantage to gain more experience before attending the Cadet
Training Program. You need to demonstrate good driving skills and be a
confident, competent driver.
5. Possess a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma or
equivalent.
6. Meet the health and psychological standards. You must meet minimal
health standards as assessed by RCMP Health Services. This includes a
full medical, laboratory test(s) and psychological examinations.
7. Meet the vision standards. You must meet the minimum vision
standards as assessed by a registered/certified Ophthalmologist /
Optometrist.
8. Meet the hearing standards. You must meet the minimum hearing
standards as assessed by an audiologist
9. Meet the necessary level of physical abilities. Police work is physically
demanding. It is extremely important to achieve and maintain a high level
of fitness prior to applying. Our training program is not designed to get
you into shape, but rather to prepare you for the rigours of policing.
10. Be prepared to carry a firearm and to use it or any other necessary
physical force. As a police officer you will be responsible for maintaining
public order and safety. You will be expected to use various levels of
intervention in the performance of your duties as a police officer.
11. Be willing to spend 26 weeks at the RCMP Academy (Depot) in Regina,
Saskatchewan. You will be required to live at Depot while on training for the
entire 26 week duration. You will also be required to do evening and
weekend training activities.
12. Be willing to relocate anywhere within Canada. The RCMP is a national
organization and as such, you must be willing to relocate anywhere within
Canada. You have the opportunity to identify your preferred province for
your first post following graduation; however, operational needs will
determine the exact location of a posting.

The number of times a police officer will be relocated varies depending on

the police officer's role, promotional interests, human resourcing needs and
available opportunities. The RCMP serves communities across the country
and our police officers are expected to be mobile to gain a variety of
experience and to meet the operational needs of the organization.
13. Be willing to work shift work including weekends and holidays.
You should expect to work shifts, including nights, evenings, weekends
and holidays as policing takes place 24 hours per day.
14. Be aware of expectations with regards to tattoos and piercings.
Tattoos and body piercings are regarded as a personal expression;
however, the type or location of tattoos and piercings may be deemed
inappropriate for the RCMP.

Police officers are not permitted to have a visible tattoo that could
potentially be offensive (i.e. pornographic, blasphemous, racist, and
vulgar in language or design). You may be asked to cover the tattoo at
all times when on duty or when representing the RCMP. Each case is
unique and is assessed on its own merit.
15. Lastly, police officers must be of good character. At several stages
during the recruiting process, you will be made aware of the behavior
standards which will be expected of you throughout the application
process and your career as a police officer of the RCMP.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
• Once you have successfully completed your vision and hearing exams
and you have the forms confirming that you meet the minimum
requirements, you can proceed with your online application. Please
keep your completed forms until step three of the application process
where you will be asked to give them.
• Step One: Submit an online application
• All applicants must apply online.
• You will need to create a GC jobs account to complete your online application
• The RCMP job posting for police officers is on the Government of Canada's Jobs website.
To find the posting:
• Search "RCMP" under "Job title"
• Look under the "Jobs open to the public" tab in the search results
• You may be rejected from the recruitment process if:
• you answer "no" to any of the qualifications or requirements
• you do not have your pre-application assessments and forms completed
• If your application is rejected, you cannot reapply for a period of six
months.
• Step Two: Write the RCMP Entrance Exam
• The RCMP will contact successful applicants to write the Entrance Exam.
Exam sessions are held in a number of cities and towns throughout the
year.

• If you have a Bachelor's degree or a college diploma (minimum two-year)

from a recognized Canadian* post-secondary institution, you do not have
to write the exam. You'll move on to the next step in the process. You will
be asked to provide your university or college transcripts during the
application process.

• * If your education was obtained outside Canada, you must get an

equivalency assessment. You can contact the Canadian Information
Centre for International Credentials for more information.
• Step Three: Complete and submit forms
• If the RCMP selects you to continue in the process, you must download, complete
and submit all forms by the deadline given to you. You will also need to provide
various personal documents, such as:
• proof of education
• statement of driving record
• fingerprints, etc.
• Step Four: Complete the pre-employment polygraph examination
• The pre-employment polygraph examination will review the questions
and responses you provided in your applicant questionnaire (in Step
Three). It will verify honesty and integrity.
• Step Five: Have a health assessment
• You'll need to see an RCMP-designated physician for a health
assessment, including full medical and psychological exams. The RCMP
will cover the cost of these exams.
• Step Six: Undergo a field investigation and security clearance
• The final step in the application process is a field investigation and security
clearance. The RCMP will conduct a thorough investigation into your
background to help assess your character. If successful, you will receive your
security clearance.
• Once you have passed all the application and assessment steps you will be
contacted to attend the RCMP Cadet Training Program.
CADET TRAINING
• When you are accepted as a Cadet with the RCMP, you will be
assigned to a troop of 32 Cadets.
• You will then begin an extensive 26-week training program at Depot,
the RCMP Training Academy in Regina, Saskatchewan.
• Once you successfully complete the Cadet Training Program (CTP),
you will be offered employment with the RCMP and given peace
officer status.
• Cadet training is offered in English and in a bilingual format (English
and French).
• A typical day lasts from 6 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and there are also
program-related duties after hours. While 26 weeks away from one's
family and friends can be a challenge, there are support services in
place, and it will not be long before Depot starts to feel like home.
ACCELERATED TRAINING PROGRAM
• An accelerated training program (Lateral Cadet Training Program) is
open to graduates of:

• Police Science (Cadet) Program at the Atlantic Police Academy

• Basic Training Program in Police Patrolling at L'École nationale de
police du Québec
SALARY AND BENEFITS
• Cadet recruitment allowance
• You will receive an allowance during your 26-week training. The
current cadet recruitment allowance is $525/week. The RCMP also
covers your room and board, uniform, training courses, insurance and
travel to and from Depot.

• If a cadet resigns or is terminated during training, or the two years

following training, the RCMP may require repayment of any allowance
received.
• Salary
• When you successfully complete the Cadet Training Program and have
been offered employment, you will be hired as a Constable at an
annual salary of $53,144. Usually, within 36 months of service, your
annual salary will have increased incrementally to $86,110.
RANKS AND INSIGNIA OF RCMP
(HIGHEST TO LOWEST)
• Commissioner • Deputy Commissioner
• Assistant Commissioner • Chief Superintendent
• Superintendent • Inspector
• Corps Sergeant Major • Sergeant Major
• Staff Sergeant Major • Staff Sergeant
• Sergeant • Corporal
• Constable(None)
• Police Recruit (None)