RCMP verses Municipal

[dalex]

Hey guys,
Just wondering what you guys feel are the pros and cons of RCMP and municipal forces. I have only applied with the RCMP at this point, but it has been recomended to me by a local officer to apply with them instead/aswell.
I have a real fondness for the RCMP , but I also do not want to put all my eggs in one basket. It is a long time to wait if you don't get accepted.
Forgive me if this has been brought up before but it is something that I am really trying to decide.
Thanks for your input.

[mikegee]

What municipal agency(ies) are you looking at? Reason why I ask is because sometimes Muni agency might offer things that a State(Province) county or federal agency might not-like fast track promotions,pay bonuses,specialized assignements .For some strange reason(maybe its just staying competitive/fair) most agencies in your Canadian provinces,including the Mighty RCMP ( I'll admit, they look "cool",especially when they come down here to run the "Baker to Vegas relay" in their tradiational class"A" uniforms) all pay nearly the same ($40,000-68,000/yr avg).Each agency has high standards , so the question is ,if you know you qualify, who'll hire you first ? Don't fall into the mind set that you " just want to be a cop, no matter what " 'cause you could end up in an agency that you might not like, and one that could "bury " you career.(here in Calif. if you get fired or resign from an agency,even if it is a "problem Dept" you get scrutinized a lot harder than a new applicant) my advise is to apply with at least (5) area agencies-worked for me when (3) of the 5 i applied for offered me a job opportunity. If you have the same chance "up" there, then do so , but please check for the negative "stuff" in addition to the recruiters "carrot on a stick " sales pitch.....

[Storm]

Hey Dalex,

Mikegee makes some good points. I am a presently RCMP in B.C. like you I was trying to decide municipal or RCMP. I wanted to be a street cop, big city street cop. I come from Newfoundland and the local force was not hiring so I gave thought to mainland forces (Toronto, Peel,OPP and so on). I don't know where you are recruiting out of so I can't compare forces.

Here are some of the pros and cons I came up with,

CON
-either way I was moving away from Newfoundland

PRO
-RCMP offered me best way back to the East coast at some point
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CON
-RCMP does not pay while in training

PRO
-A lot of the municipal forces pay for and pay you while in training.
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PRO
-RCMP offers experiences you won't get anywhere else. You can go from general duty constable in Backwater, Manitoba right through to Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, all in the span of a 25 years career.

CON
-Municipal forces don't always get you to the career choice you want because they can be smaller and between the seniority and membership it can take longer to get somewere.
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PRO
- You are known, and recognized by that red serge, worldwide as a Mountie!
(I threw that one in there just because!)

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PRO
-In most RCMP detachments you handle most files start to finish.We are not first responders, we take the complaint, investigate the complaint and forward the information to Crown.

CON
-A lot of municipal forces are first responders. While this limits your work load and cuts down your paperwork it does not enhance your investigative abilities in the same way.
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I hope this is of some help to you. I have been a member now for 18 months and have not regretted for a minute my decision to join the RCMP over a municipal force, nor would I ever consider giving up my red coat.

You need to seriously look at what is offered by the municipal forces near you and what you really want career wise. In my 18 months service I have done investigations in almost ever area conceivable.

The pay from force to force varies by about 3-4% or so. The pay while-you-train can be an issue for some people as well. Look at all the pros and cons, besides if you ever decided to lateral from RCMP to Muni or vice versa you can always do that providing you have a good performance record.

I hope this was of some help, feel free to message me if you have any other questions.

Storm