RCMP

[millar]

This message is to Dragon and Highroller

Pesonally, I don't think any of you guys have any idea what you are talking about. I think you just let your fingers type away without your brain actually registering what you are writing.
The RCMP is not losing applicants. They are so overful, from too many people applying that they have no choice but to turn people away.
If they didn't exist, you and your family members would probably never be able to step out of your house, because some psycho person would probably stab you or rob you.
In the future, if you are going to talk about something, make sure you know what it's about!!
P.S. - I'm attending college, taking a criminal justice course, for 4 years, just so that I can apply to be an RCMP officer. If I get turned down, because they are so full, so what, I'll try again.!!!!!!!!

[journey2cps-redux]

millar,
What posts of Dragon's and highroller's were you reffering to when you wrote the above post?

[colonel16]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please take this for what it is, which is my opinion. I see and hear about quite a few people who are "planning" to join the RCMP or other forces. A lot of them are taking measures to improve their suitability for enrollment, such as college and university degree programs, time in the military or reserves, and others. What I have understood, through reading and talking to a few members, is that right now is the best time in many years to apply for most police forces in Canada. My point is that if you desire to be a police officer, then apply now! It is the best time to get in. There is no point in abstaining from your dreams unnecessarily. Apply now and get your career in motion. I think there is plenty of evidence just from the postings on this board alone to say what a challenging, rewarding and special profession this really is. Now I want to be clear that my words are certainly NOT a shot at people finishing degree programs or schooling related to the field. If your motivation for taking schooling is so that you can end up as the best police officer you can possibly be, or because you know it is what you personally need to improve your suitability, then I absolutely respect that, for you are a true professional. For the rest of you sitting on the fence, don't delay furthur. Have confidence in your suitability and your motivation to succeed. If you are unsuccessful the first time, then stick with it like the determined people you see throughout these pages. The application process alone is a major life experience. It tests your patience, your resolve, and your ability to take constructive criticism if you aren't successful. All positive character buillders. And hey, yes you may even realize it isn't for you or you're not ready. But at least you will find that out. Once again my advice and opinion. Good luck to everyone. My RCMP timeline is posted on the appropriate board.

[guest]

Millar,

You talk about thinking before you type. I suggest you take a dose of your own medicine and think before you type and act. You state that you are taking criminal justice just so that you can apply to the RCMP.

Wrong my intelligent friend. You don't need a criminal justice degree to apply. Read through this thread. It is common knowledge that having a criminal justice degree will do absolutely nothing to further your chances or application. Having a degree may but not a specific degree.

You jumped without looking. You did the very thing you slammed Dragon and Highroller for supposedly doing.

If you were half as intelligent as you would have yourself believe you would have taken another degree. Something you can fall back on if you are not suitable to get hired by police force. You may very well go through the application process and get a lifetime deferral for whatever reason. It won't matter who you know, how good of an applicant you think you will be, etc. If some recruiter feels you are not cop material you are done for life. That 4 year degree you just took will only be good for wiping your a$$.

Think before you jump everyone. The police forces will train you fully should you get in. Criminal justice degrees are probably the biggest waste of time and most useless degree out there when you really look into it. Mind you you will make one hell of an $8 an hour security guard!

[JohnnyDevine]

Guest-millar said:

P.S. - I'm attending college, taking a criminal justice course, for 4 years, just so that I can apply to be an RCMP officer. If I get turned down, because they are so full, so what, I'll try again.!!!!!!!!

What if you cannot get in?? Then what will your useless degree give you?

[hut]

cj degrees and diplomas are useless? really? then why is that many police agencies require such a thing. And until you become a recruiter, and know what is valuable and what is not, please keep it to yourself. i find it very insulting and very unrealistic that people retain this negative attitude, all this diploma/ degree will give me is all the required skills to bring to the job before i even get to depot, so i view it as a good thing. Better than working some dead end job forever beforehand

[JohnnyDevine]

Guest-hut said:

cj degrees and diplomas are useless? really? then why is that many police agencies require such a thing. And until you become a recruiter, and know what is valuable and what is not, please keep it to yourself. i find it very insulting and very unrealistic that people retain this negative attitude, all this diploma/ degree will give me is all the required skills to bring to the job before i even get to depot, so i view it as a good thing. Better than working some dead end job forever beforehand

Which canadian police agency requires a CJ diploma?? I'd say none of them.
No I am not a recruiter.. but I have successfully completed the RCMP process ..I am 21, have no post secondary and I start depot in January.. so I saved myself 4 years and thousands of dollars.
I recommend just going out and getting life experience..
the reason why CJ isn't a good degree is that there have been people who took it and applied, then found out for whatever reason they couldn't become police.. then what do they have?? A debt and a degree they can be a security guard with?

[hut]

ok. heres an interesting quote "Preference will be given to candidates with a College Diploma in Law Enforcement or other Criminal Justice Studies"(From Lethbridge Police Service Website). Hmm weird hey, i knew there was a reason i was doing this. so much for none.

[guester]

Come on Hut.... take the advice for what it is. I actually do know and have worked with many recruiters and the reality is that they just aren't impressed with a cj degree. You can bring a LOT more to the table with a degree in something that you can also use within policing AND establish a career with if it doesn't happen.

Then ofcourse if you are aiming for Lethbridge - go for it.

[Back in E]

I was at Depot from Jan to July this year and I can attest that my electives from crim (poli-sci major that I did not complete before Depot) helped me in understanding the material faster and more completely. The people with prior police experience or Crim/CJ courses often helped other cadets with criminal code and other statute issues.

The truth is Depot only teaches the basics and there's a whole dimension of law beyond what is covered which can still come in handy out here. I encourage those who are on the path to continually keep yourselves updated via such resources as www.canlii.org/ and Blueline. The Justice Institute of BC also puts out an excellent newsletter called 10-8 (available on their website). There are also a couple books sold at the Depot Canteen that are pretty good.

The academic tests at Depot are challenging. They are setup so that the average mark is 70-75% (pass is 60%) The instruction while there is adequate but prior understanding can really help.

[JD]

Guest-hut said:

then why is that many police agencies require such a thing.

"Preference given" is very different from a requirement. Also that is 1 force that even mentions it even though it's not required. What happened to the "many police agencies require such a thing." So far 1 has a preference as opposed to many requiring it.

[RyanSales]

Just want to shed my $0.02 on this topic, and pray that someone changes the direction of this thread (the unfortunate part of having 160+ page long threads).

1. Re: Lethbridge and the CJ Program. I'm just taking a stab in the dark on this one, but I think that the most likely reason for Lethbridge Police having a preference for graduates of a CJ program is the fact that Lethbridge Community College is one of the main locations for CJ training in Alberta. What better way for a city police force to support it's eductional institutions than to help it's graduates out. The other 2 preferences lethbridges gives is to people with a 4 year degree as well as people with 2 years of police experience.

2. CJ Program and other police forces: Most police forces out there LIKE applicants to have diplomas or degrees, regardless of whether or not it is a CJ program. It shows a commitment to education and learning. However, I have heard comments that if two applicants were EXACTLY equal in everything, the only difference being one had a CJ degree and the other had a degree in English for example, I have heard they would pick the candidate with an english degree. What the specific rationale would be, I"m not sure. Maybe it's because as a recruit with no CJ experience, you haven't learned any bad habits and are easier to mold. One of the biggest reasons would be that most forces are now looking for WELL ROUNDED individuals with a VARIETY of experiences to draw on, NOT those individuals who have tailored their entire lives towards policing.


For anyone who wants to prepare and get a degree or diploma PRIOR to applying to the RCMP, good on you. I will agree however that RIGHT NOW is the time to apply. On the flip side, if you have aspirations on attaining the officer rank within the force, having a degree PRIOR to becoming a member will definately be an asset to you in that quest. If your goal is simply to be a regular member, APPLY NOW!

Cheers,
RY

[Matt R]

Who buys a ticket home from Depot for Christmas, when they don't even have a troop # or date? One word....POSER!!!

[journey2cps-redux]

Guest-Matt said:

Who buys a ticket home from Depot for Christmas, when they don't even have a troop # or date? One word....POSER!!!

Wha'choo talkin 'bout Willis!?!

[Matt R]

Read the RCMP Applicants site. The person also posts on this site.