OPP no longer requires an OACP Certificate as of January 1, 2019. To clarify, this does not mean you avoid testing. The OPP SIGMA SSPO police test is what OPP uses and has done so for years and years. OPP police preparation is still essential, not only for the test but also for the interview.
OPP Rationale on Dropping the OACP Certificate
With demographics indicating increased hiring for police service, along with hiring more women and visible minorities, police services have been struggling to find good candidates. OPP has particularly struggled in its northern communities with hiring. To remedy this, OPP now waives the OACP Certificate, but it does require you to write the SIGMA SSPO (at their cost).
OACP Certificate Relevance for OPP
OPP states that although the accreditation is not needed, it is still useful as a screening tool. Feedback has been clients who have their OACP Certificate get interviews quicker than those who do not.
We advise you to obtain your OACP Certificate for several reasons. Firstly, you will rank higher upon application to the OPP by having the OACP Certificate. Secondly, the same test is used by OPP and by the OACP. Thirdly, you open up applications to other police services in Ontario by having your OACP Certificate. You will show the OPP that you have the cognitive abilities needed plus you will show that you are a self-starter.
It is unclear at this writing whether the OPP will waive SIGMA SSPO testing for their service if you already have your OACP Certificate. To clarify, the OACP Certificate from August 18, 2020, onwards already has the SIGMA SSPO as part of its requirements. They will likely require further testing to be sure the applicant's skills are up-to-date.
OPP SIGMA SSPO Police Test Preparation is Essential
The OPP SIGMA SSPO police test is difficult. It is a form of IQ test for policing skills and aptitudes; in fact, it is primarily a cognitive skill test. You cannot finish this test in the time given. The SIGMA SSPO measures speed, accuracy, intelligence, and performance under pressure. Do not underestimate the SIGMA SSPO.
From the SIGMA SSPO creator: Police officers are often faced with difficult situations that require quick, logical decision-making. The SIGMA SSPO is an objective, reliable, and highly valid assessment for screening job applicants for the position of a police officer. The SSPO uses questions to identify individuals with the cognitive skills necessary to use sound judgment in police situations, to show good comprehension of legal documents, and to write credible incident reports.
The SSPO measures general cognitive ability, which is one of the best predictors of job performance for virtually all jobs. More effective than resumes, education, references, or interviews.
Why High Scores Matter on the OPP SIGMA SSPO Police Test
To clarify, the OPP recruiters can view your detailed results. They can see your weaknesses. There is no hiding with these results. No simple pass or fail. They will see all of your strengths and weaknesses. Doesn't it make sense to optimize your results with excellent preparation?
Moreover, OPP recruiters will invite you in for an interview only if your results are high enough to meet their standards. Therefore, you must work hard at your preparation and perform to a high enough standard to get to the next stage.
The results are not shown to you, the applicant. As a result, the only way you're going to know you didn't do well is if you are not invited to interview with the police services. How hard is the OPP SIGMA SSPO police test? Hard. Not only due to the test itself, but due to the new process.
Cognitive Results is both Efficient and Effective
We have helped hundreds of police candidates since 2005. Certainly, with that many years of experience, we are experts in police preparation and testing. We treat our clients fairly and honestly. Despite changing metrics, we strive to provide up-to-date information for all programs.
All of our police test teaching, practice, and video courses are created by a Certified Teacher and a Professional Engineer. We continually add material and expand our programs. We continue to be the best resource for police applicants like you. All of this takes hard work and continued effort, but this is our full-time occupation, and we take this seriously - just like you take policing seriously.