Education · 1 of 4

The path

Meet the minimums, pass the tests, get hired, then train.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   The legal minimum. Most successful applicants have some post-secondary education or work history.

2. 2

   Meet the requirements

   Before applying

   Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 18 or 19 or older, valid driver's licence, clean record, first aid and CPR, and pass a vision and hearing check.

3. 3

   Testing and selection

   3 to 12 months

   In Ontario, the OACP Certificate (a standard police entrance test): written tests, a fitness test (called PREP) and a psychological screen. Then the service's own interviews, background check and polygraph at some services.

4. 4

   Police college

   3 to 6 months

   Ontario Police College is 13 weeks. RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Depot in Regina is 26 weeks. Quebec's police academy (ENPQ) is about 15 weeks after a college diploma. Paid.

5. 5

   Probationary constable

   12 months

   Coached by a senior officer for the first year.