Police Interviews in Canada
Are you considering a policing career in Canada? Passing your interviews is a crucial step in the selection process for police candidates. Police interviews are quite different from regular job interviews. Please don't underestimate the process. At Cognitive Results, we guide you through the preparation journey, ensuring you have the knowledge and support you need to succeed. Read on to learn about some of the different police interviews in Canada, including RCMP, Ontario Police, Vancouver Police, and CBSA with Cognitive Results.
RCMP Police Process
The RCMP interview process involves several steps:
- Preliminary Screening: Candidates submit an application and complete an online entrance exam.
- Regular Member Selection Interview (RMSI): A behavioural and situational interview conducted by a recruiting officer. It assesses problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, communication, leadership, and flexibility/adaptability.
- Polygraph Examination: Candidates undergo a polygraph test to verify the truthfulness of their application and interview responses.
Ontario (Municipal Police Services) Police Process
The Ontario Police interview process includes the following steps:
- OACP Certificate: Candidates must obtain an Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) certificate, involving written tests, physical tests, and vision and hearing assessments.
- Essential Competency Interview (ECI): A structured interview assessing analytical thinking, self-confidence, communication, flexibility, relationship building, and valuing diversity.
- Blended Interview: An interview which is unique to the police service that incorporates the ECI and LFI, as well as values-based behavioural and situational questions. This may replace the ECI and LFI, or the LFI may be held separately.
- Local Focus Interview (LFI): Focuses on the candidate’s knowledge of and connection to the community they wish to serve. It includes questions about community involvement, understanding local issues, and commitment to the community.
Vancouver (VPD) Police Interviews
The VPD interview process involves these steps:
- Initial Application and Screening: Candidates apply online and go through an initial screening process.
- VPD Entrance Exam: Candidates must pass the entrance exam, which assesses various skills and knowledge areas relevant to policing.
- Panel Interview: Conducted by a panel of VPD officers, it evaluates decision-making and problem-solving, integrity and ethics, communication skills, and community focus.
- Behavioural Interview: A structured interview focusing on past experiences and behaviours that demonstrate the candidate’s suitability for police work. Key areas assessed include adaptability and stress tolerance, teamwork and collaboration, and conflict resolution.
Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) Applicant Process Overview
The CBSA interview process includes:
- Officer Trainee Entrance Exam (OTEE): Candidates must pass the OTEE before proceeding to the interview stage.
- Structured Interview: Assesses competencies relevant to border services, such as integrity and accountability, judgment and decision-making, interpersonal skills, and dealing with difficult situations.
- Security Clearance: Candidates undergo a thorough security clearance process, including background checks and possibly a polygraph test.
Distinguishing Factors Between Police Interviews in Canada
Understanding the distinctions between these interview processes can help candidates better prepare:
| Agency | Steps | Key Features |
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| RCMP |
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| Ontario Police |
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| Vancouver Police (VPD) |
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| CBSA |
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For personalized coaching and preparation for these interviews, Cognitive Results has been helping candidates since 2005. We provide comprehensive support to ensure you are fully prepared for each step of the interview process.