Aboriginal communities part of RCMP recruitment focus

In November, the RCMP made a recruitment stop on O’Chiese First Nation.  It was one of a number of community career presentations geared towards Aboriginal communities as part of the Alberta RCMP’s latest recruitment blitz.

 “The RCMP has deemed it a priority to recruit quality applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, to better reflect our Canadian population,” said spokesman Const. Mitch Simmons. “(We’re) implementing a number of initiatives to reach our goal of increasing the ratio of women, Aboriginal people and visible minority groups within the organization.”

Simmons says a diverse membership in the RCMP enhances cultural understanding and allows the RCMP to better serve the communities where they live and work. Alberta currently has 257 Aboriginal RCMP officers—210 men and 47 women.

Const. Dan Davis, a 10-year veteran of the force, and posted in O’Chiese First Nation, says his Aboriginal heritage is helpful in navigating police work on the First Nation.

While it’s not central to successful police work, he says, it can start a conversation and help to build trust.

“Sure, in some circumstances, knowing my own Aboriginal background has helped build some of those relationships. I don’t focus on that, but it can spark a conversation, it can be, in itself, common ground,” he said.

Davis became an RCMP officer following in the footsteps of his older brother

“I was working towards a career as a paramedic, looking to get my EMR, EMT, work for fire services, and actually it was my older brother, who encouraged me to apply,” he said. “I can honestly say it’s been a very positive experience.”

The RCMP is presently recruiting full-time regular members. Potential candidates must be Canadian citizens of “good character,” at least 19 years of age at the time of enrollment, a high school graduate, be proficient in either English or French, and have a valid unrestricted Class 5 driver’s license.

The RCMP entrance exam includes a personality test and a police aptitude exam measuring skills such as judgment, logic, comprehension and computation. A passing score results in a second applicant questionnaire. This is followed by a physical endurance test, simulating a critical incident involving a chase that must be completed in four minutes and 45 seconds or less; a selection interview; and a pre-employment polygraph. Successful candidates then receive six months of training in Regina.