RCMP

[DaveTO]

Thanks Cab, that sounds like a lot of good pointers for the interview. I know that many of us will appreciate it when we take the RMSIG.

Just a quick question: What do you mean by a critical failure? I know that you cant tell us the exact question, but could you give an example using an every day, non-LE skill?

[Tim]

Hello to all,
Thanks for the good advice for the interview ;D I have another question for you all How important is your debts to the RCMP??? I have a house mortage, car payments, a small business loan and a few smaller loans I will sell my house when and if I make it to depot which would help alot. If anyone has any input please reply, thanks.

Tim

[DaveTO]

If I recall correct, they look at debt combined with income. If your family income is in 6 figures, they will be able to accept a larger amount of debt than someone who is doing temporary employment with lots of credit card debt. They just want to make sure that you are not going to be in a situation where either you have emotional problems from money, or become so desparate that you'd do unethical things for money.

They also do a credit check to see if you are keeping current with your payments. Assuming that nothing has gone to agencies, I think it shows that you are responsible to be able to meet your obligations

[therecruit1]

I think the most important thing about preparing for the interview is to stay calm and relaxed. I recently did my interview and the days leading up it I felt very nervous.
All this stress was for nothing. My interviewer realy made me feel at ease, he gave me plenty of time to organize my answers and if I misunderstood a question he provided me with an example of what they were looking for. As long as you have prepared by thinking about all your "life experience" and relating them to the standards set out in the RMSIG you shouldn't have any problem.
As for the debt issue, as long as your financies are not out of control and you are able to meet all of your obligations you won't have to worry about it.

[Cab]

DaveTO, Tim and others:

My 'critical failure' was in the credit department. Debt load and how your handle it is important.....but like it was mentioned before, you can have debt, but it must be responsible. I had the struggling university student syndrome back then. I never did begrudge the RCMP for the standard they had in the credit area, I just kick myself for not realizing it earlier.......however, that is in the past, and I have cleared that hurdle. I do know of a fellow that was told not to apply again to the RCMP due to his credit situation.....now he could have just given an excuss to cover for some other embarassing moment, or had really bad, bad, bad credit decisions. Who knows!
Cab

[journey2cps-redux]

Way to go Ace ;D

Glad to hear things are going good out there! I can't WAIT for the day I get to experience receiving that badge...Keep up the good work Constable!! I want Surrey whe I make through the whole process so hopefully I'll get to see you there.

J2D

[therecruit1]

Good job ACE! I hope everything goes well for you out on the street. I guess the good thing about policing is just when you think you have seen it all, something new and exciting comes along that makes you realize how lucky you are to have such a good job!

By the way, does anybody have any idea how long it takes, on average, for them to do the background check?

[tim gillespie]

Hello Ace,
Glad to hear that you are doing fine way out ther in B.C. ;D I just went through all of your time line tonight on this site, awesome Things moved along really fast for you, it was only a few months after your interview that you made it to depot. I just finished my pare, and all the packet material done last week. I sure hope that my interview comes quickly and that I'll pass it alright. Keep up the good work Cst.

tim

[Maverick]

Does anyone know how long the background phase of the process takes? I had my interview 2 weeks ago and am wondering when I can expect the background search to be done. Thanks.

[DaveTO]

I think it depends on how many places you've lived at during the past 10 years. Also, if your residences are in different provinces, that lengthens the process.

Ballpark figure: 4-8 weeks?

[Maverick]

Thanks DaveTO, I have lived in two different provinces over the last 10 years so that will likely lengthen the process as you indicated. Thanks for the input!

[journey2cps-redux]

Like Dave said, multiple provinces = longer completion time...still I would guess about 4 months. Never know though, you could get a call in a month might more like 6....

J2D

BTW - On the interview topic, I have created a prepatory questions guide for the RMSI.
www.enterthemind.com/~jmalo/rcmp/htm/links.htm
and before anyone asks...THESE ARE NOT ACTUAL QUESTIONS FROM THE INTERVIEW!! I have not done the interview yet, so this is all speculation...
After doing alot of research on the net, on Behavioural Event Interviews, I compiled a list of questions that I think would help to prepare for the interview. There are 2 questions for each of the eight "qualities" from the RMSIG (RCMP Website). This prep guide should be used in conjuction with the RMSIG. The first page should explain it all but if you have questions send me a message.

[therecruit1]

j2d,
I went over your prep guide, some of the questions are are pretty close while others are way out there. It is certainly a good practice guide for those waiting to do the interview. It seems like you put a lot of effort in to it, good job!!
Maverick, I'm in the same position as you. I did my interview 2 weeks ago and now I'm just sitting around waiting. I hope it doesn't take to long, it would be nice to know one way or another if I am moving on.
Does anyone know if they send your interview score in the mail?? My interviewer said I did really well but didn't give me a score. It seems like some other people who went through the process were advised of their scores after the interview.

[journey2cps-redux]

Just glad to help out a bit, this process is stressful as it is, so anything that helps relieve some tension is a good thing in my books.

recruit,
So I didn't do too bad for shooting blindly then...Hmmm, good to know.

J2D

[Tim G]

Hello j2d,
Thanks again for the interview prep guide, it sure makes you think Hopefully we will soon get to answer the real questions on the interview ;D
Therecruit, you did your interview 2 weeks ago, was it stressful and were the questions really hard Also, how long did you have to wait after passing in your packet and doing your pare for the interview? Just wondering....

Tim