Postings

The RCMP is a federal, provincial and municipal policing body, and provides policing services to all Canadians. The RCMP provides community policing under contract across the country, except in Quebec and Ontario. In Quebec and Ontario (including the National Capital Region), the RCMP has primary law enforcement authority in federal matters, such as narcotics, customs and excise, immigration and passports and areas affecting national security. Normally, new police officers are not posted to Quebec or Ontario. All postings and transfers are subject to human resource requirements.

As a result, a regular member must be prepared to serve anywhere in Canada.

Duties

Initially, you will normally be assigned to general policing duties at an RCMP detachment for a minimum of three years. These duties will allow you to experience a broad range of assignments and experiences, such as responding to alarms, foot patrol, bicycle patrol, traffic enforcement, collecting evidence at crime scenes, testifying in court, apprehending criminals and plain clothes duties.

You should expect to work shifts, including nights, evenings, weekends and holidays as policing takes place 24 hours per day.

As a regular member of the RCMP, you will enforce statutes from three levels of government: municipal, provincial and federal. Along with knowing the Criminal Code, you must be familiar with the municipal bylaws, provincial acts and federal statutes in your area.

While many police duties are routine in nature, there may be times when you must perform duties that are non-routine and perhaps dangerous. These situations require flexible and critical thinking skills. As a regular member of the RCMP, you'll be trained to handle firearms, to operate vehicles in emergency situations and to evaluate situations to provide an appropriate level of response. As a police officer, it is essential that you be prepared to protect yourself and others from bodily harm and death.

As you gain valuable policing experience, different opportunities will become available to you. You can read about these under the Opportunities tab.