Douglas College
    Criminology Home
    Diploma in Legal Studies
    Courses
    Associate of Arts Degree
    University Transfer
    Career Possibilities
    Resources and FAQ
    Criminology Test
    Criminology Student Handbook (pdf)
    Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
    Criminology and Legal Studies Scholarships and Bursaries
    Contact Us/Faculty

Police Officer

Police officers are recruited either by Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada's national police force, or by provincial, regional, or municipal police forces. Each force has specific requirements for hiring. The minimum requirements for hiring for RCMP are:

  • Canadian citizenship
  • Be of good character
  • Proficient in either official language
  • Age of 19 or older
  • Grade 12 or equivalent
  • Valid drivers license
  • Ability to meet the physical and medical standards
  • Keyboarding/typing certificate from educational institution
  • Valid St. John's Ambulance first aid certificate
  • Valid level C cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate from the Canadian Heart Association or St. John's Ambulance

As said above, these are the MINIMUM requirements for hiring. Because the competition for positions is high, it is generally preferred that applicants have a degree in a related field, and are proficient in two or more languages. Applicants must also successfully complete the testing and interviews. The testing includes written and physical abilities, responses to a series of scenario questions and a polygraph test.

Some duties in Policing may include:

  • Community crime prevention
  • Traffic law enforcement
  • Foot, Bike and Car Patrol
  • Drug enforcement
  • Commercial crime prevention
  • Police dog services
  • Marine services
  • Air services
  • Identification services
  • Forensic lab services
  • Equitation and musical ride
  • Federal policing (i.e. customs)
  • Technical security services
  • General detachment duties

For more information, please go to Canadian Police College
or to the  Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Requirements

top