Choosing a new career (especially when you’re new to the country), can be an overwhelming process. Opportunities are endless in a country like Canada. It’s not easy figuring out which direction to take in the first place.
Canadian Business helps you narrow down your options with a list of “The Top 25 Jobs in Canada”. And we’re here to help you break down #14 on that list: police officer.
Being a police officer comes with great responsibility, authority, and trust. Therefore strict standards are upheld in the selection process to ensure only the right candidates are hired. This process typically includes:
- A written exam
- Physical exams
- A psychological exam
- Medical exams
- A polygraph exam
- A background investigation
The good news: Canadian Business reports the projected demand for police officers in 2022, according to the Employment and Social Development Canada, to be one of “balanced opportunity”. In other words, there will likely be just as many jobs available as there are job seekers.
If you’re interested in becoming a police officer, this article will help you map out your career path.
Quick Navigation
- Minimum Requirements
- Potential Disqualifiers
- Myths About Police Career Requirements
- Application Process
- How Long Does It Take To Become A Police Officer?
- Canadian Police Officer Salary & Benefits
- From Security Guard To Police Officer
Minimum Requirements For Police Officer Applicants
Prior to the application process, potential candidates need to meet the minimum requirements. The following list of application requirements applies to most police agencies in Canada:
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
- Be proficient in the English and/or French languages
- Have a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent
- Be in good health
- Meet the vision standards
- Meet the hearing standards
- Meet the necessary level of physical abilities
- Have good character
- Have no criminal convictions and no criminal charges pending
In addition to the above list, each police force adds its own list of requirements.
Those applying for the RCMP need to meet the following additional requirements:
- Permanent resident applicants need to have resided in Canada for the last 10 years.
- Be at least 19 years old
- Possess a valid, unrestricted driver's licence
- Be able to spend 26 weeks at the RCMP Academy in Regina, Saskatchewan
- Be willing to relocate anywhere within Canada
- Not have any tattoos that “depict or incite hate, harassment, or discrimination against individuals on the basis of the grounds listed in Canadian Human Rights Act, section 3.”
- Not wear any personal effects on the body that may interfere with the personal protective equipment.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) asks that their applicants meet the following additional requirements:
- Have a valid BC Class 5 driver’s licence without any restrictions
- Have a good driving record
- Have a valid current standard first aid / CPR “C” certification
- Have an additional 30 academic post-secondary credits, at minimum
The VPD also mentions that they prefer candidates who:
- Have a degree or diploma in any field of study
- Are proficient in a second language
- Have volunteer experience in the community
The Calgary Police Service asks that their applicants meet the following additional requirements:
- If you’re not a Canadian citizen, have either landed immigrant status or permanent resident status (while having lived in Canada or the United States for three years).
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a Class 5 Driver’s license with a maximum of five demerit points
- Have been discharged from a bankruptcy for at least a year
- Have current certification in standard first aid and CPR
The Toronto Police Service has the following additional requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid driver’s licence with full driving privileges and a maximum of six demerit points.
- Have current certification in CPR and first aid
To further increase your chances of qualifying, read on to see our list of potential disqualifiers that could stand in the way of your policing career.
Potential Disqualifiers for A Policing Career in Canada
When preparing yourself for a policing career, you need to be aware of what will disqualify you from the police application process. As far as the written, physical, and medical exams, the requirements are fairly consistent across all agencies.
Language Disqualifier: You need to be fluent in either English or French including being able to speak, read, and understand one of these languages.
Physical Disqualifier: You cannot be in poor physical condition. Failure to successfully complete the physical examination in the minimum time frame is an automatic disqualification.
Test particulars can vary from one police agency to the next. However, all tests simulate critical incidents that police officers are exposed to. For example. the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE), used by the RCMP, consists of three sections:
- Running 6 laps around a 350-meter obstacle course where you are required to climb stairs and jump over hurdles
- Pushing and pulling a 70lb weight
- Carrying 80lbs over a 15-meter distance.
Psychological Disqualifiers: A candidate can be disqualified if they do not meet the minimum psychological examination requirements.
Work Environment Disqualifiers: Police departments require you to work shift work which includes nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays as policing takes place 24 hours per day. If you are unwilling to accommodate this type of work schedule, you will be disqualified from the process.
Medical Disqualifiers: If a medical examination shows the presence of a condition, treatment, limitation, or disease (such as colour blindness), this will interfere with the applicants ability to perform the job functions of a police officer. It will also increase risk to the applicants health or safety, or even expose the public or coworkers to risk. Therefore, the applicant will be disqualified.
What Do Police Look For in a Background Check?
The background exam is a very thorough investigation of the applicant’s past. It is common for the hiring parties to speak to colleagues, family members, neighbours, landlords, as well as present and past employers. This helps to determine whether you have a track record of high ethical standards in all areas of your life. You will be required to provide your criminal record, driving record, credit history, and history of alcohol and drug use. Additionally, you will need to pass a polygraph exam that shows whether you have been dishonest or deceitful in answering any of the questions throughout the application process.
When applying to police agencies, you will be disqualified if*:
- You have matters pending at a criminal court
- You participated in any indictable offenses. These offenses are the most serious of criminal activities, which include murder, sexual assault, and terrorist activities.
- You have a criminal conviction that has not been pardone.
- You participated in less serious criminal behaviour or activity within one year of applying. These activities are referred to as “summary conviction offenses” under the Criminal Code. They include illicit drug use, theft, and impaired driving.
- You have been dishonourably discharged or dismissed from any other law enforcement organization
- You have a pending or current personal bankruptcy
*Make sure you check with the requirements of law enforcement agency that you wish to apply to, so you can ensure there has not been any changes in policies.
While the list of disqualifiers is long for the policing profession, there are also a few untruths about things that are not actually considered in the selection process.
7 Myths About Police Career Requirements
Policing standards are high, but some people are under the impression it is not a viable career path for themselves based on a few common misconceptions. People often believe they will not be considered due to the following myths:
Myth #1: “I need to be fluent in French”.
French and English are both Canada’s national languages. You simply need to be fluent in one or the other.
Myth #2: “I’m not tall enough”.
In some countries, police candidates have to be a certain height in order to be considered. However, in Canada, height doesn’t matter as long as it does not impede performance on your physical exam.
Myth #3: “I need to have an athletic build”.
Applicants do not need to have any particular body type. All shapes and sizes are hired. Passing the physical exam is what is required of you.
Myth #4: “I’m too old”.
There is no maximum age to becoming a police officer. The minimum age is 18 or 19 years old depending on the province and policing agency.
Myth #5: “I need to have a degree in Criminology”.
While it works in your favour, the education requirements are the successful completion of high school and, in some cases, a minimum of 30 credits at a post-secondary institution .
Myth #6: “I need to be a Canadian citizen”.
You can qualify if you are a Permanent Resident of Canada.
Myth #7: “I don’t qualify because I did drugs in my youth”.
Most police agencies allow for some youth experimentation. Experimentation is evaluated on an individual basis and does not necessarily mean you will be disqualified. What will lead to disqualification, however, is denying that you ever had a past with drugs.
The Application Process For Police Officer Candidates
It isn’t easy becoming a police officer. Potential candidates need to go through a stringent application process designed to weed out those who don’t have what it takes to become outstanding police officers.
Police officers help maintain peace and order and ensure that members of the community stay safe. This job comes with immense responsibility. The application process itself is not for everyone.
Canadian police agencies generally follow the same process which involves a series of tests, checks and interviews, including:
- A written exam
- Physical exams
- A psychological exam
- Medical exams
- A polygraph exam
- A background investigation
Some of these tests require detailed paperwork but minimal preparation. For some tests, like the physical tests, you would be best prepared if you did a fitness training program, prior to, depending on your fitness level. Other tests, like the polygraph exam, require no preparation at all.
Applicants can be declined at any point in the stages listed above and even if a candidate passes every stage, an offer of employment is not guaranteed.
Once you have completed all assessments, your entire application package is reviewed and measured against other applicants to determine the most suitable candidates for the role as a police officer.
If you are recruited, you can expect a conditional offer of employment that allows you to advance to the final step before you become a police officer: cadet training.
The training programs are strenuous, both physically and mentally. It’s a good idea to start preparing for police academy training as far in advance as possible.
These programs are meant to prepare you to begin your career in policing by providing you with the necessary skills and tools that you need on the job. Trainees need to meet a set standard to graduate from training and complete this final step in the process.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Police Officer?
The process of becoming a police officer requires a significant investment of your time. The duration varies and depends on how quickly and accurately an individual completes the forms and assessments. This also depends on the police agency you apply at.
The CPS states that their process takes between 3-6 months to complete. The RCMP doesn’t provide a set duration for the entire process; their cadet training takes 26 weeks. At the VPD, the recruit training alone takes up to 44 weeks in total.
Generally, you can expect to set aside 6 months for your application process. We recommend that you contact the police agency that you’re interested in to find out how long their process takes from start to finish.
Canadian Police Officer Salary & Benefits
Assessing wages is an essential step in determining whether a career is the right fit for you and your family. If you’re wondering how much a police officer makes in Canada, the median salary in Canada for a police officer was $87,859 in 2019 with a 17% projected 5-year wage growth.
Federal Police Force Salary & Benefits
If you’re interested in the federal police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) offers new hires $53,144/year with an incremental increase to $86,110 within 3 years of employment. Benefits include paid vacation days, an RCMP pension plan, medical, dental and family health plans and group life insurance. The RCMP also offers generous maternity and parental allowances as well as financial support for continuing education and professional development opportunities.
Municipal Police Force Salaries & Benefits
In comparison to the federal police force, the municipal police agencies offer slightly higher salaries.
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) offers a starting salary of approximately $66,000/year.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) offers new hires $70,154/year with an incremental increase to $90,198 after 3 years. Benefits include paid vacation, medical and dental benefits and a BC Municipal Pension Plan membership.
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has a starting salary of $63,564.98 for their cadets. After year 3, police officers receive an annual salary of $90,836. Benefits include paid vacation, family medical and dental benefits, life insurance, pension plan, parental/maternity leave and more.
Considering that the median income for individual Canadians was $36,400 in 2018, according to Statistics Canada, the starting salary for a Canadian police officer is an attractive one.
When deciding between the federal or municipal level, keep in mind that while the RCMP might have a lower salary, the role involves police duties at the international, federal, provincial and municipal levels with a much wider variety in operational and administrative opportunities.
Some specializations that are unique to the RCMP are: Integrated Border Enforcement Team, National Security, Marine Services, International Peace Operations and many, many more.
This decision should be based on your personal career goals and values. If career growth, variety and adventure are of high value to you, you might want to consider joining the RCMP despite the lower salary.
From Security Guard To Police Officer
While there are a fair number of employment opportunities, as you have seen in the information presented in this article, policy agencies hire only the most suitable candidates. So you need to do what you can to ensure that your application stands out from the rest.
Police agency recruiters advise applicants to significantly improve their chances of being selected through:
- Private Security Jobs: Security jobs provide a work experience that prepares you for your role as a police officer. The skills you learn, the duties involved, the situations you encounter as well as the opportunities to work alongside law enforcement officers, all provide well-rounded preparation for your future role as a police officer.
- Awards: Awards that recognize your ability to be a top performer (ie. scholarships, employee awards...etc.) are a strong indicator of work ethic.
- Volunteer Experience & Community Involvement: Contributing your time to an organization that does meaningful work demonstrates good character. Be an active member of your community to show that participating and serving your community is important to you.
- Training & Education: While a degree in criminology would help, you don’t necessarily need post-secondary education. Relevant training and education can include training that you receive on the job as a security officer. And unlike the time and financial investment involved in post-secondary education, you can get paid while you learn with a job as a security guard.
Across Canada, over 20% of former Paladin Security Officers move on to pursue careers with local law enforcement and police agencies. Their job at Paladin Security equipped them to stand out from the applicant pool and land their dream jobs thanks to Paladin’s opportunities for performance-based awards, relevant training and work experience.
Prepare for your policing career with Paladin Security, Canada’s highest paying and most reputable security company.
Hi!
I’m Dilakshan, 21 and i want to become a Police officer in Ontario.
I don’t have Ontario high school diploma, but i have completed my high school in Sri Lanka, so can i join to the police with my Sri Lanka high school diploma? Or do i wanna take any other courses in Canada?
Hi Dilakshan, that is a great question. We encourage you to reach out to the RCMP or the local police you are interested in joining, to see if your high school diploma from Sri Lanka is applicable, as this answer may very. Thank you!
Do i need to have same address for 3 years to apply for police job ?
Thank You
Hi Mandeep, this requirement may vary depending on the location you are applying for. We encourage you to reach out to your local police department to find out.
Hi, i have background in Engineers and completed Masters in Energy Management, working in security industry from last 2 years. So, is this good profile to join RCMP or VPD ?
Hi Akash! Great question. We strongly encourage you to reach out to your local RCMP or the VPD to help answer this. You may also find further information on what type of experience is needed on their websites.
yes it will help you get ahead of all of the others speaking from the police point of view so yes gust make sure that the departament is ok with it.
Hi,
I was wondering if it’d be possible to become a police officer if I’ve committed theft (14yr old) sold fake tickets as a youth (16year old) and tried a drug (22yr old).
I’m 26 now
Hi Steven, thanks for reaching out. This is a question that you would need to discuss with your local police department.
Do you need to take any special courses in high school to become police.
Hi Yoel, great question. You do not need to take any special courses in high school to become a police officer in Canada.
Does the police look at all you private messages on social media.
Also what questions are asked during a polygraph examination?
Hi Alex, unfortunately we do not have these answers. We encourage you visit your local police departments website, or connect with them, in order to find out more.
I want to be a police officer after I graduate, but I want to do other things as well, can I leave the police force after working for 2-3 years? will I have any benefits if that is the case? How might the experience as a police affect my future careers?
Thank you !
Hi Alex, that is exciting to hear! Becoming a security officer is a great stepping stone to becoming a police officer once you graduate. We encourage you reach out to your local police force to learn more about what positives and negatives can come from leaving a policing career after a few years.
Is swimming necessary for becoming police officer in Canada?
Hi Amandeep, we encourage you check your local police department’s website, as this may vary depending on the city. However, when looking at the RCMP’s website, they state: “Although swimming is no longer part of the fitness program or a requirement for RCMP officers, it is a skill that every member should have. Being able to swim can help save lives, including your own. You are encouraged to hone your swimming skills during your free time at the Depot pool.” You can read more here: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/depot/orientation/prep-preparer/things-to-do-choses-a-faire/fitness-condition-physique-eng.htm
We hope this helps!
It’s there any height requirement to be a police?
Hi Barsad, it does not appear there is. However, we encourage you reach out to your local police department as this may vary depending on the city you are applying to.
Similar to Military Experience, Police Officers also display characteristic favourable to Intelligence Agencies. Characterises such as leadership, duty, and sacrifice. FAQ #10: I’m over 40. Can I still get a job in Intelligence? Or, how old is too old to apply for a job in Intelligence?
Hello, we recommend you reach out to your local intelligence agency regarding this question. Thank you.
how do i join ?
You can apply for a position on our website at: https://www.paladinsecurity.com/careers
Hey my name is Gabriela I’m 16yrs old and I have always wanted to become a police officer but I was just wondering if I could start doing something like special classes or take any courses as of right now that could help me get into my dream job in the future .
Hi Gabriela, becoming a security officer is a great stepping stone to moving into the police force! At Paladin Security, we provide relevant law enforcement training and hands-on skills. To apply, visit: https://www.paladinsecurity.com/careers
What kind Police training do I need for working on First Nation reserve And where can I do training in quebac
Hi Ronald, we recommend reaching out to a local police department to receive further information regarding your questions. Thank you!
I want to become a police officer, but I need a guide through the process, just graduated from York University, am an student athlete. And 35 year old
Hi Christy, congratulations on graduating! For further information, we suggest you visit your local police department’s website to discover the next steps in the application process. Thank you.
Hi, I’m 23 years old and I’m doing social service program once Graduate from this program I want to become a police officer. Will, there be a problem?
After completing the police program can I work as a traffic police officer?
Thanks
Hi Khatira, as long as you have all of the requirements needed, you will be considered for a position. As for becoming a traffic police officer, we recommend you contact your local police department to help you answer this question. Thank you!
I have some hearing problem as I can’t hear 60% from my one year and other one is fine , will this be a drawback in medical or can I get rejected for it?
Hello, we recommend you contact your local police department, as they will be able to assist you with this question. Thanks!
I have done study in early childhood education course.. I have myopia problem. Can i become police officer in Canada?
Hi Gaganpreet, we recommend contacting your local police department for this question. Thank you!
Hi, I am a running police officer in Bangladesh for the last 17 years, if i would be a permanent resident of Canada, can I join in VPD? Will I get any advantage for being police officer backhome?
Yes, if you are a permanent resident of Canada then you can apply to become a police officer. For more information, we recommend directly speaking with a local police department.
Hi there,
I’m a 35-year-old principal of a school. I’m already on my third career, is this frowned upon by police service boards? I’m not a job hopper I love new challenges.
Hi John, police departments are always looking to recruit individuals from various backgrounds and educations. To fully answer this question, we recommend you contact your local police department directly.
Hello,
I’m a British Expat waiting on the PR to come through, for the moment I live in Vancouver, BC, but I’m looking to move out East to the Maritimes (NS, NB, PEI & NFL) so I can be closer to home in both distance and in time as well.
My main interest would be setting up a career in law enforcement and settling down.
I was just wondering how many of these Provinces with big cities are requiring Police work for the moment?
Hi Jacob. Unfortunately, we are not able to answer that question. We recommend you get in contact with the police department you are interested in applying for and ask them this directly. Thanks!
Hi,
I was an international student for 3 years and i am on my work permit now. Already applied for Permanent Residence. I wanted to be a police officer so i was thinking to prepare myself from now. But i am in canada for only 4 years. Can i still go to this carrier after i got my PR. It will only take one year maximum.
Hi Sarbjit, we recommend you contact your local police department directly for this question. Thank you!
Hi,
I was wondering how strict the rules were on colour blindness?
I would probably pass everything with flying colours but I am slightly colour blind and I was concerned if that would be a problem?
I have moderate deutan red green colour blindness.
Hi Owen, we encourage you to reach out to your local police department and speak to them directly regarding this question. Thank you!
Hello!
My name is Abdulrahman I’m 21 years old and I want to be a police officer I can speak English but I can’t write very good is that a problem to become a police officer
Hello Abdulrhman, we recommend you contact your local police department to discuss this with them.
Hi, I am an active State Police Office for the las 15 years in Mexico, up North of my country, Im 36 years old how can i become a police officer in ur country.
Hello Edgar. Unfortunately, we do not have the answer for your question. We recommend you contact a local police department in Canada to find out more. Thank you!
i am a 10 meter air pistol shooter . can this skill help me to join police force
Hi Harbans, having multiple skills will definitely be a contributing factor to your acceptance. However, we recommend you reach out to your local police department to discuss this specific skill with them. Thanks!
Hi there,
My name is Charlotte, I’m 20 years old, and I am on my third year of a fine arts university program. I became very interested in becoming a police officer and related careers.
I looked at myth #5 and it says having a Criminology degree is nice but not an absolute requirement. I would like to know if graduating from fine arts will hinder my chances of getting accepted. Can I major in fine arts and minor in criminology or should I switch my program to Criminal Justice instead?
Thank you for your time.
Hi Charlotte, no it should not hinder your chances of getting accepted. However, we definitely recommend you reach out to your local police department to discuss this more and confirm this with them!
Is it compulsory to do psychology in high school?
Hi Kareena, we do not believe so. However, it is best to confirm this with the local police department you want to apply for.
hello this is pavan from India…… I am working as a police constable in India from the past 12 yeras and i have filed my PR in Express entry (skilled labour program) to canada….. I’ld like to do police job in canada….. is my Indian police service is useful to become my profile stronger in selection process……
Hi Pavan, that’s great to hear! We encourage you reach out to the local police department in Canada that you want to apply for to find out what your next steps are. Thanks!
Hi im rafaqat and i did MBA from pakistan i was a police officer in Pakistan for 7 years now im here in canada and i have a security guard license, so what are my chances there if i wanna join police
Hi Rafaqat, unfortunately we do not have the answer to that. We encourage you to reach out to your local police department to find out more information!
Hi my name is Jonathon. Will poor credit score have a big impact on the hiring process
Hi Jonathon, that is a great question, but we unfortunately do not have the answer to that. We encourage you to reach out to your local police department to find out. Thanks!
Hi,I am an international student and pursuing diploma in Criminology. So, after getting PR in Canada, can i join VPD or RCMP?
Hi Jasroop, we encourage you to reach out to your local police department directly to discover these next steps!
I am an international student pursuing diploma in Criminology. After getting PR,can i join VPD?
Hi Jasroop, thanks for reaching out! We will have a blog on that topic coming soon. In the meantime, we encourage you to reach out to the VPD directly.
Hi my son name Binyamin hi’s in grade 8 now but hi’s want to become a police officer in future hi’s hight now 5/6 feet and very healthy I am just asking after high school 12 hi’s can joint the police officer or need more studies how many percentage need in g-12 for become a joint police officers.. I am a mom for asking all information , related police officer
Hello, thank you for reaching out! We will be publishing a new article next week, which will help your son understand all of the next steps he needs to take. We also encourage you to speak with your local police department for more information regarding this.
I have been looking for this Police Officers article since long time. Thanks author.
I am looking to become a Police Office at the age of 50, this has a my dream job and want to achieve this goal. How can I go about making this life dream come through.
Hi Vashty, what great news! Please see our other articles about how to become a police officer in BC and Ontario. BC: https://paladinsecurity.com/law-enforcement-careers/how-to-become-police-officer-british-columbia/ Ontario: https://paladinsecurity.com/law-enforcement-careers/how-to-become-police-officer-ontario/
Hello my name is Bryson, I am very interested and have been very interested in becoming a police officer, I am currently taking a fifth year in high school due to me not attaining my 30th credit (i ended with 29). I do not have any officers in my family nor do I know any so I have never got a full education map on what I should do. Should I go to college and take a policing course before I start off as a security guard and make my way up to eventually be an officer? And do secondary school grades play any factor?
Hi Bryson, having a background in security is always encouraged, although not recommended when applying to be a police officer. Please see our other articles about how to become a police officer in BC and Ontario. BC: https://paladinsecurity.com/law-enforcement-careers/how-to-become-police-officer-british-columbia/ Ontario: https://paladinsecurity.com/law-enforcement-careers/how-to-become-police-officer-ontario/
is it okay to have all applied courses in high school in order to become a police?
I am interested in working in policing. I currently have a police sciences / Law enforcement and protection diploma and a security certificate.
I have one thing on my record from over 20 years ago, I plead guilty against my lawyers advice, served no jail time at all … will that impact any decisions as to my eligibility
Hi Jeff. The answer is not cut and dry as it depends upon the charge-conviction (minor or more serious). If it was something serious, it may be a hindering factor for hire.
So I have been having a nice chat with my two Toronto police customers about everything and they told me that I can somehow/somewhat read things between the lines and they said I should try to apply to become a police officer and I’ll be great in investigations. However, my only setback is that I only have a high school diploma here and still a PR, my goal is to get that citizenship, go to the army and get a 10 year experience in afgh then end up to being a police officer.
Currently i completed my law school in india and was looking forward to move to canada (through express entry) and once this is done, do i need to do any specific course to be eligible as in qualification for police officer. Please guide me . As i have heard that u need to have an high school degree from canada to be eligible for becoming a police officer.
Hi there, i am 12 years old and i am just curious are there any professional fees of becoming a police officer? if there are is it possible for you to list them! thank you!
I’m pursuing a criminology major with plans on going to the police force and becoming a police detective.
I’m conflicted as of now on whether I should pursue a 3 year criminology major or a 4 year criminology major, would you be able to help me understand if taking a 4 year major is an advantage when trying to become a police detective?
What are the advantages or disadvantages of taking one or the other?