After years of using the same police testing, the OACP Certificate has changed. This new OACP Certificate information is key to understanding how to approach the policing process.
Why Pursue Policing in Ontario
Policing and law enforcement in Ontario are in-demand careers right now as services scramble to fill the gaps of the baby boomer generation retiring. CBSA and Canada Forces are in similar positions. Policing is a rewarding career.
Details About the NEW OACP Certificate
On January 1, 2020, police services across Ontario under the direction of the OACP (Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police) stopped using the PATI test administered by ATS for over a decade as part of their recruitment process. The PAF, a mental ability test, replaced the PATI. In addition to the PAF, the OACP introduced a second required test for the new OACP certificate called the ESQ2 (Personality Assessment).
Next, in August of 2020, the OACP Certificate changed again and dropped the PAF testing. The OACP Certificate now uses SIGMA SSPO testing. The OACP Certificate continues to use the ESQ2 for personality assessment. We updated our OACP Program as soon as the new OACP Certificate information became public.
Strategize Your Approach for Efficiency and Effectiveness
Firstly, resist the impulsive urge to go to the new OACP Certificate information website and sign-up immediately to take the test.
The SIGMA SSPO is complicated and hard. The SIGMA SSPO is significantly more difficult than the previous testing. Your scores on the SIGMA SSPO are compared to a large original statistical group of test-takers. In fact, this test is not a pass/fail test; instead, it is a measure of your intelligence. The worst part is that only the police services will see your scores, but you will not know how you scored.
Why is this Important?
Many people are rejoicing at the replacement of the PATI. They clearly do not understand the altered situation. As a result of the changes, from the time you start the recruitment process you now have no benchmark upon which to compare your place in the process or how you will be ranked compared to your competition.
Under the old PATI test structure, you had a pass/fail test. Passing meant you knew you were good for the next three years to apply to services. You knew you were on the same level playing field as your competition when it came to having your OACP certificate because no scores were shared. Now you won't know how you rank next to your competition.
In conclusion, in the past, the police service never saw your score. Now the police service see your score, but you don't. You may not get called for an interview at all if you score poorly. The new certificate is valid for one year, then you must start the process over again.
As a result, you are at a disadvantage from the beginning, and you must put forth your best effort at preparation to score as high as you can on these tests. As stated earlier, these are not easy tests, and you will never know how you scored.
Choose Cognitive Results for Effectiveness
What can you do? If you go into the SIGMA SSPO and ESQ2 tests unprepared, you will waste a year. Instead, prepare properly and diligently, with the right training material from Cognitive Results. This can make or break yet another year fruitlessly pursuing this career in policing.
If you're serious about pursuing a career in policing don't leave your fate to chance. Cognitive Results is the expert in police preparation since 2005. We have helped hundreds of clients, one by one, achieve their dream jobs. They were no different than you, other than they prepared with the right training and knowledge base geared for success. Although this may be a great time to pull the trigger and go after that dream job finally, it is harder than ever to achieve. Preparation is essential for this exciting new journey in your life.
We take the time and effort to inform you. The new OACP Certificate information is an example of our commitment to our clients.