Become a police officer with Federal Policing: Before you apply

While you can apply to the RCMP and go through the selection process and basic training at 18 years of age, you cannot be hired to work as a police officer until you are 19 years old.

There is no maximum age limit to apply to the RCMP.

You must be fluent in either English or French, including being able to speak, write, and read either official language. You do not need to be bilingual to apply.

If your driving experience is limited, it would be to your advantage to gain more experience before attending the Federal Policing Recruit Development Program. You will need to demonstrate good driving skills and be a confident, competent driver.

If your education was obtained outside Canada, you must get an equivalency assessment. Contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials to find out which organizations across Canada perform these assessments. You can find out more by visiting Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website.

If you did not complete secondary school, you must obtain an equivalency assessment. For more information, contact your local board of education or adult learning centre to be assessed and take a General Educational Development (GED) test or equivalent.

You must meet minimal health standards as assessed by RCMP Health Services. This includes a full medical assessment, laboratory test(s) and psychological examinations.

You must meet the minimum vision standards as assessed by a registered/certified Ophthalmologist/Optometrist.

Vision examination: The vision examination and form (RM Applicant Vision Examination Report - RCMP 2180) must be completed by a Canadian optometrist/ophthalmologist. The minimum requirements are outlined below as well as on the form, in more detail.

If you have had laser surgery you must wait the following amount of time before having a vision examination completed:

• Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery - 30 days
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery - 90 days
• Implanted corrective lenses (ICL, PIOL) surgery with anterior chamber lens - 6 months
• Implanted corrective lenses (ICL, PIOL) surgery with posterior chamber lens - 12 months

Visual acuity:

Corrected vision (with glasses or contacts): Visual acuity must be at least 6/6 (20/20) in one eye and 6/9 (20/30) in the other; and,

Uncorrected vision (without glasses or contacts lenses): Visual acuity must be at least 6/18 (20/60) in each eye OR 6/12 (20/40) in one eye and at least 6/30 (20/100) in the other eye.

This minimum vision acuity is required for safe performance of policing duties if glasses or contacts are lost or displaced.

Field of vision: Must be at least 150 degrees continuous along the horizontal meridian and 20 degrees continuous above and below fixation with both eyes open and examined together.

Colour-vision testing: Using the standardized Ishihara pseudo-isochromatic plates, colour-vision will be considered normal if at least 17 of 21 patterns are correctly identified (pass).

If required, further evaluation will be conducted with the Farnsworth D-15 test. Applicants who pass the Farnsworth D-15 test will be assessed as meeting the minimum colour-vision standards.

Ocular disease: Applicants must be free from ocular diseases impairing visual performance. Further information may be requested at the health assessment stage.

You must meet the minimum hearing standards as assessed by an audiologist.

Hearing examination: The hearing examination and form (RM Applicant Hearing Examination Report - RCMP 6509must be completed by a practitioner in accordance with the Canadian Standards Association Standard on Pure Tone Air Conduction Audiometers for Hearing Conservation and for Screening. You cannot use a hearing aid during the examination. The minimum requirements are outlined below as well as on the form, in more detail.

Minimum hearing standards for RCMP applicants:

• Hearing loss no greater than 30 decibels in the better ear in the 500 to 3000 hertz range; and
• Hearing loss no greater than 30 decibels in the worst ear in the range of 500-2900 hertz and no more than 50 decibels in the worst ear at 3000 hertz.

Police work is physically demanding. It is extremely important to achieve and maintain a high level of fitness prior to applying. Federal Policing Recruit Development Program is not designed to get you into shape, but rather to prepare you for the rigors of policing.

If you arrive in less than good physical condition, you will start training at a distinct disadvantage. Not only will you increase your risk of injury but you could compromise your ability to successfully complete the Recruit Development Program.

See Step 5 for information about the physical standards required of our police officers and how to be prepared.

As an RCMP 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.

You should expect to work shifts, including nights, evenings, weekends and holidays as policing takes place 24 hours per day.

Tattoos are permitted if they do not depict or incite hate, harassment, or discrimination against individuals on the basis of the grounds listed in Canadian Human Rights Act, section 3.

You may wear discreet personal effects on the body if they do not interfere with the effectiveness of personal protective equipment. Examples include glasses, watches, medical bracelets, jewelry, wedding bands, kangas, kirpans, karas, and medicine bags.

As a new constable, you will be required to attend the initial 12 weeks of core recruit training at locations in the National Capital Region and remain in Ottawa to complete an additional 2 weeks of Immediate Action Response Deployment and Carbine training, prior to being deployed to your unit. Once deployed, you will be paired with a coach & mentor and will be required to follow and successfully complete a mandatory 2-year development curriculum.