RCMP

[RyanSales]

Congrats Medicguy...enjoy your time at Depot. It'll be the hardest yet most rewarding 6 months of your life.

I just got back from a course which had 2 of my troopmates on it, and it's amazing how strong the bond is that you create with them. Regardless of the job itself, those connections you make with the 29 other people in your troop are what makes it all worth it in the end.

Cheers,
RY

[Lance]

Hello All:

This is my first post on the Cops 2 be forum. I have been a long time lurker however. I am happy to report that I just received my application package from the RCMP. I just need to complete the P.A.R.E test. I know the pass mark is 4:45. My question is:

Are you ranked depending on your P.A.R.E results or are the results purely pass/fail?

By the way, I also started my own web page detailing my journey to become a law enforcement officer. If you are interested, you can check it out at www.geocities.com/mountie2be/index.html

[Depot Rat]

The PARE is pass/fail, no ranking involved. And it's very easy to pass the 4:45 applicant standard. That said, it blows me away when I see people arriving at Depot who can't even make *that* time. It's amazing some of the out-of-shape people who make it here.

[LongArm]

Does anyone know if the RCMP will pay to ship your personal belongings (furniture, appliances, clothing, etc) to your first posting after Depot?

[journey2cps-redux]

Yep. They will send movers to pack, ship, and unpack all your stuff EVERYTIME you change postings (LDP are a little different sometimes though re: paid housing). When the movers come in they pack everything, and I mean everything...I actually heard of one family that had their garbage packed and shipped!

I was wondering what happens if you have stuff in two places though. For example, if I make it to depot my wife and kids will be moving in with my parents in SK while I'm in depot, but all our furniture etc, will be going into storage in Calgary.

[RyanSales]

Journey2CPS

A few points to save you some MAJOR hassle:

1. They will only move stuff from ONE location which is usually restricted to where you were living when you started at Depot (most likely Calgary). Best to keep all of you things in one place.

2. This is probably the most important, for anyone who is putting their things in storage.

a. Contact Depot Relocation services and ask them which is the most likely moving company/companies they use in your area
b. Contact the most likely company, and have THEM come and pack your house and move it into storage (preferably a heated storage unit)
c. When you are having your relocation interview at Depot, let them know which moving company you used to pack your things.

This will avoid MAJOR problems and possible expenses on your part. The moving companies have to repack your stuff before they can move it (for liability)...if your move ends up being in the winter, they will have to move it from an unheated storage unit to their heated warehouse (sometimes in a different town) to repack...this is done at YOUR expense....somtimes totalling THOUSANDS of dollars!!!

Cheers,
RY

[RCMPWife2BHopeful]

I found this web site too; perhaps it is useful? I was wondering this same information, as my DH and I were thinking of doing something similar (i.e., me moving in with parents and it's in a diff. province from where we live now).

*hopefully that URL worked.

[RyanSales]

URL worked, but info isn't totally applicable. There are two different sets of allowances for transfers...one for existing members, and one for newly engaged members.

Cheers,
RY

[journey2cps-redux]

Thanks for the info Ryan! I'll keep all that in mind.

[guest]

Hey Lance,

I checked out your web page detailing your progress. I assume your brother? is doing the same. Good luck to you two but one word of advise. I would get rid of the time line and any info detailing that you are applying to three forces simultaneously. If a BI from any of the three forces happens to see or catch wind of your application they might be pissed. I had a buddy that told his RCMP inerviewer he also had an app ongoing with CPS. His RCMP interviewer got pissed right off and yelled at him to make up his *^&^ mind as to which force he wanted. If he wanted CPS then quite wasting RCMP's time. Needless to say he is now a serving member of CPS! Food for thought.

[Lance]

Thanks for the advice. I actually thought of that and asked some officers what they thought. They didn't see anything wrong with applying to multiple police forces because it shows that you are really serious about making law enforcement your career. I don't really have a favorite. If the RCMP gives me a job or Halifax Regional Police....it is all the same to me. I personally think it is wise not to put all your eggs in one basket. That said, your point is well taken. I think if you explained yourself properly to the interviewer, there shouldn't be any troubles. Any more thoughts on this?

[Lance]

Oh yeah...I fogot to mention that the RCMP already know about my application with Halifax Regional Police. I think they ask you when you write the RPAT and in your information package about whether you have an active or past application with any police service. So I guess the secrets out already.

Btw...if anyone is interested. I have a web page detailing my journey to become a law enforcment officer. If you are interesed, go to www.geocities.com/mountie2be/index.html

[RyanSales]

Lance,

I applaud your energy in applying to 3 police forces! I found that applying to one was hard enough!

This might sound harsh, but please take it as a constructive criticism.

If I was a recruiter and read your comment "If the RCMP gives me a job or Halifax Regional Police....it is all the same to me.", I would DEFINATELY give you a serious strike against your application,. Sorry dude, but honestly I would.

There are a lot of people who ONLY apply to one police force...because they want to be THAT police force member.

I personally wanted to be a MOUNTIE.....and would never be anything else.

What you have identified is that you want to be a police officer....and if as an RCMP recruiter for example, if I had to chose someone who wanted to be a police officer or someone who wanted to be a MOUNTIE, I'd pick the mountie.

There is a lot of pride in police forces, and you have to be VERY careful not to give the impression that "it is all the same to me". You want them to go away with the impression that you want it more than anything.

Like I said, I applaud your energy and enthusiasm, and wish you the best in the force you are selected to become a member of. My goal is just to show you that you need to look at all angles, and what may or may not be an innocent statement, depending on the context, can me taken for different meanings.

Cheers,
RY

[guest]

I could not agree more with Cst. Sales.

One other point to consider. Yes it relates to the poly. RCMP does not poly (yet) as far as I know. Muni forces usually do. If you take the poly with a muni force, the RCMP (at their background investigation stage) will most likely want to see those results even though they don't use the poly. Remember the poly is just a tool to interrogate. It is also used by the polygrapher to assist him in forming an opinion about you. The RCMP BI may call the PEEL polygrapher, for example, to listen to his opinion about you. Your application with the RCMP may be completely in the hands of ONE mans/womans OPINION. Yes they will take peoples opinions into account to determine your character. Especially a fellow officers.

Word of advise, concentrate on the RCMP first. They have no poly therefore your odds of getting on with them are better than a muni force that utilizes the poly. If get in and don't like the RCMP you will have the experience and should be able to make a relatively easy lateral move into the muni force of your choice. I would apply to what ever force doesn't poly first and exhaust that option. Then go to a force that does require a poly. If you apply to both at the same time and "fail" your poly with one the results/opinions/etc will follow you for every subsoquent application. It may perminately preclude you from ever becoming a LEO.

Happened to me. Apps in with Edmonton, CPS Lethbridge and RCMP simultaneously. I was thinking the exact same thing "this is competative, if a force wants me they had better choose soon because one is going to pick me up! All these apps makes it look like I really want this job!"......Wham.... Failed poly with CPS (another long winded story) and was "mysteriously??" dropped from the process from all four other forces.

Think twice my friend. I would call PEEL and Halifax?? right now and respectfully ask to withdrawl your app before they call you in for a poly. IMO How old are you BTW. If you are younger than 25 you have lots of time to wait out a few application processes if that is what is required. Perseverance not quantity of apps is going to show them how bad you want this job. Good luck.

[Lance]

I really do appreciate your point of view. I agree completely with what you are saying. In my defence however I should add that I would explain my multiple applications to other police services as my attempt to "not put my eggs in one basket". I would tell an interviewer that I am just trying to cover all bases and that I definately view the prospect of being a mountie with high regard. I can honestly say that. The three police services that I am applying to were not chosen lightly. In my opinion, they are the best and I would be honoured to serve in each one of them. I agree though that my comments about "it being all the same to me" are best left for message boards and not police applicant interviews.

As for the polygraph test, I am not really worried about that. I don't have anything to hide. I know some people mention that the test is very subjective. That may be so...but it is out of my control so I am not going to let it influence my decision. I am also 31 and not getting any younger. The process to get into law enforcement is long and right now I am just interested in getting it started as soon as possible.

;D