KAMSACK — A group of students in a career education class at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute received first-hand information on March 31 on the process of recruitment to the RCMP.
Talking about the RCMP recruiting process, Cst. Cody Laloux of the Kamsack RCMP detachment, aided by a slide presentation, began by talking about the different roles a peace officer might play, including upholding the law, investigations and enforcing the Criminal Code.
“There are lots of opportunities, a wide range of possibilities,” Laloux told the students, explaining that prospective students may apply to the police service online.
The application process may take a long time, he said, adding that it took him eight months, while he has heard of others who waited 10 to 15 months.
“Some take three years, others as little as six months, often depending on the quality of the applicant.”
Laloux explained the academically-based online assessment and paperwork required for the initial screening, which could include a polygraph test, psychological testing, medical history and a background check.
Once completed, an applicant will receive a “golden call” offering him or her a troupe, he said. Once with a troupe, an applicant is required to keep track of fitness workouts, respond to scenarios such as “if this happens, what would you do?” and provide real-life illustrations.
Once accepted, an applicant would be posted anywhere in Canada, but Ontario and Quebec have their own provincial police, so few RCMP members are required in those provinces, he explained, adding that a member may switch communities within two to four years.
“The RCMP provides lots of movement and great opportunities.”
Once one gets to a depot, he or she is expected to be as fit as one can be, he said. “Be ready to run, push and pull.”
Describing life for a recruit at the depot in Regina, Laloux discussed the training program, which includes police science, defence tactics, fitness and lifestyle work, firearms training, driving instruction, drill deportment and tactics and often detachment visits, all culminating in examinations.
Life at the depot typically begins at 6 a.m. and lasts to 4:30 p.m., plus recruits are expected to work on their assignments and fitness logs after that.
“We learn to log everything,” he said, indicating that the 26-week training program includes five workouts a week, all of which should be recorded.
A police fitness assessment measures a recruit’s ability to conduct a foot pursuit, have physical control, provide emergency assistance and conduct other high-priority tasks, he said.
Laloux talked about the pay one might expect, beginning with $1,000 a week while in training and a salary that grows to $72,000 a year, to $92,000 and then to $160,000 after three years.
While with the force, one may go into a specialty area such as working with police dogs, general services, traffic security, plane marshals, search and rescue and SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus).
The list of specialty areas goes on forever, he said.
