The RCMP Lateral Entry Program is a five-week, learning and orientation program for experienced Canadian police officers. Held at the RCMP world-class training centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, this training course covers all areas of RCMP national police learning and training standards, and is typically offered 2-3 times a year. The training is conducted in a manner that recognizes the lateral candidate's standing as an experienced police officer and not a new cadet.

If you are an experienced Canadian police officer, we invite you to submit a structured resumé (details below) under this program.

The date for the next lateral troop is planned for April 2011.

*Our program now welcomes applications from the Canadian Forces Military Police.

 

Structured Resume

Please list all of the relevant qualifications and experience to ensure that a complete assessment of your skills and abilities can be conducted. Ensure your resumé is formatted as below, and includes all pertinent criteria.

A. Education

• (i) High School/Secondary School diploma or equivalent;
  (ii) College and/or university courses/program completed; and
  (iii) Courses taken via correspondence
  

B. Employment History (last 10 years)

• (i) list all employment within last 10 years to current date;
  (ii) brief job description for each employment;
  (iii) details on any supervisory positions held; and
  (iv) two current performance evaluations/appraisals
  

C. Police Training

• (i) list your basic police training courses;
  (ii) list all additional training courses, licences, certificates or degrees relevant to policing; and
  (iii) list any experience in a specialized unit (e.g., Drugs, Child Exploitation, Surveillance)

D. Functional Police Experience
Provide one detailed example about each of the following topics using the S.T.A.R. format:

Topics:

• (I) Describe your abilities and experience in conducting investigations;
  (ii) Describe your abilities and experience in obtaining judicial authorizations (e.g., warrants to search property, vehicles, to obtain blood sample);
  (iii) Describe your knowledge, abilities and experience in investigative techniques;
  (iv) Describe your experience and ability to prepare and present testimony in court; and
  (v) Describe your experience in processing an impaired driver.

The S.T.A.R. format allows you to provide a complete description of the circumstances, the actions you took, and the results of these actions. If you describe your functional police experiences using this structure, your examples will flow easily and you will be less likely to omit important information.

Situation - Describe the situation surrounding your example clearly and concisely. What was your role? Who was involved? What are the relevant details that impacted your decisions?
Task - What was the task you were called upon to do? What was your specific challenge?
Action - What action(s) did you take? Talk about your contributions and what you actually did.
Result - What was the result? What did you accomplish?

IMPORTANT: A non-police example is provided to demonstrate the S.T.A.R. format, however you must provide examples relating to the Functional Police Experience Topics.

Situation:
In June 1982, as a first-time home buyer, I purchased a house in Ottawa. The house required a major renovation starting with the exterior and including the yard. I was on a strict budget which dictated that I be as cost effective as possible.

Task:
I was required by the local municipality to have the exterior renovations completed within three months, and to have the house painted in accordance with the neighbourhood colour scheme. I needed to remove overgrown brush and abandoned scrap metal from the yard to comply with current bylaws.

Action:
I researched local home renovation/construction companies, and obtained job quotes from three firms. I spoke with a representative from a paint store to determine the appropriate type and amount of paint required to cover the exterior of the house. I chose one of the companies from those that had submitted quotes to complete the work. I met with the job foreman to discuss the contract, and to determine what steps I could take to reduce the cost of the work. I took the initiative to prepare the site by ridding the yard of debris, and cleaning the exterior of the house. To accomplish this, I rented a truck and enlisted the help of friends to assist me in removing the brush and scrap metal from the yard. I used a power washer to remove the old paint from the exterior of the house.

Results:
The painting company completed the job sooner than anticipated. I saved money and time by preparing the worksite. The exterior work to the house and clean-up of the yard was finished ahead of the three month deadline, and fell within the parameters of the neighbourhood colour scheme and by-laws.

Resumés will be reviewed to confirm that all criteria has been included. Candidates that are identified to be further processed will be notified in writing.

Minimum Qualifications
Candidates hired under this program must meet all of the basic entry requirements which include: selection interview, pre-employment polygraph, physical abilities test, medical tests and extensive background investigation. Candidates must also meet the following basic qualifications:

• 1. Canadian police experience and graduated from a Canadian police training institution.
  2. Must be a Canadian citizen.
  3. Must possess a Canadian high school diploma/GED or equivalent.
  4. Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted Canadian driver's licence.
  5. Must complete the PARE in 4:00 minutes or less.

Selection Process
The application process involves the following steps:

• 1. Career Presentation (optional)
  2. Submit Cover Letter and Resumé
  3. Selection Package
  4. Obtain Posting
  5. Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation (PARE) - Lateral entry applicants must complete the PARE in 4:00 minutes or less.
  6. Complete Pre-Employment Polygraph Questionnaire
  7. Regular Member Selection Interview
  8. Pre-Employment Polygraph Interview and Examination
  9. Background/Field Investigation
  10. Medical/Health Assessment
  11. Prerequisites and Enrollment

Salary and Benefits
The starting salary range for lateral police officers is $46,693 - 75,657,* depending on your law enforcement experience and training. Prior to engagement, application may be made for approval to receive an above-minimum rate of pay. (*As of 2009-01-01)

Vacation
Vacation for lateral entry members (regardless of their prior police service) will be the same as a newly hired RCMP officer which is 120 hours per year.

Pension
Pension is not portable from municipal police forces. However, if you are a federal government employee, you can request that your pension be reviewed by Morneau Sobeco at www.pbs-sra.ca or telephone number at 1-800-661-7595. Questions regarding pension benefits may be forwarded via letter to:

Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Director of National Services and Standards
295 Coventry Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R2

Pre-Posting
In consultation with the Lateral Entry Candidate and National Staffing and Personnel a posting will be determined prior to the candidate attending Depot.

Rank
A Lateral Entry Candidate must be engaged at the rank of Constable and appointed a peace officer by a commissioned officer.

Benefits

• Member/Employee Assistance Program
  Medical and Dental Plan
  Family Health Plan
  Group Life Insurance (optional)
  Supplied uniform
  Clothing allowance (plain clothes duties)

Secondary Employment
Public confidence in the integrity of the RCMP is a prevailing objective and the RCMP will stringently monitor participation in outside activities to prevent conflict of interest.

The RCMP recognizes that participation in secondary employment and outside activities can be in a member's and the public's interest; however it is not permitted if it creates an impression of interference with the objective performance of the member's duties.

IMPORTANT - Serving police officers must resign from their current police service/agency before they will be engaged in the RCMP.

Definitions - Outside activity means any activity, endeavour, undertaking, trade or business in which a member participates while not on duty. Generally, the following outside activities would not be considered a conflict of interest:

• 1. Volunteering or participating in charitable or community-spirited activities;
  2. Assisting a friend or relative on a limited, emergency or seasonal basis; or
  3. Hobbies which are activities undertaken primarily for pleasure.
  4. Remunerated activity means an activity for which a member receives, directly or indirectly, a personal benefit. This includes, but is not limited to, involvement in a family member's enterprise for which a member is not directly compensated for time and/or services, e.g. real estate services, restaurant.