Application process
Choosing a career as a 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher may be one of the most rewarding decisions you will make. The position offers many opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the application process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact the 9-1-1 Police Dispatch Recruitment Team to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Information on the preference to veterans
Step one: Submit your application
Before you start the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher application process, you must meet the prerequisites and have attended a career presentation.
Area of selection
BC RCMP is recruiting applicants who reside within a 500 km radius of Courtenay, Kelowna, Surrey and Prince George (British Columbia). Only applications from this area of selection will be considered.
If you do not reside in the area of selection, please check for 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher opportunities in other locations by regularly searching Police Dispatcher Trainee on the public service jobs website.
9-1-1 Police Dispatcher application package
Please include the following documents in your application package:
- 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Application Form (RCMP Form ED 6218)
- Cover Letter – Your cover letter is to include “Your Pitch” explaining why you believe you are a good fit for the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher role and why you are motivated to apply.
- Resume – Your resume is to include a complete history of your work experience and education.
Submit your application package to the 9-1-1 Police Dispatch Recruitment Team.
I’ve submitted my application! What happens next?
If your work experience and qualifications meet the requirements for the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher position, you will be invited to participate in the next stage of the application process: skill testing. The timeframe to receive a notification is approximately one week.
Step two: Skill testing
Once your application package has been reviewed and you are selected to continue in the application process, a Recruiter will contact you with registration information for the CritiCall Exam.
The CritiCall Exam is an entrance exam used in the RCMP 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher application process and provides you a realistic job preview. It is a standardized electronic exam completed on a computer, and is being used by 9-1-1 and public safety dispatch centres/agencies across North America.
The exam consists of 8 separate modules, and takes approximately 60-90 minutes to complete. The modules are designed to test the following skills:
- Keyboarding (a minimum typing speed of 40 net words per minute with less than 5% error rate will be assessed during a 5-minute typing test)
- Data Entry from an audio source
- Multitasking
- Decision Making
- Recall details such as addresses, phone numbers and licence plates while performing other tasks
- Prioritize
- Read maps
- Short-term memory recall
- Street map reading
- Spelling
- Reading and Comprehension
How do I prepare?
The CritiCall Preparation Guide is available to assist you with your preparation. We encourage you to practice and assess your typing speed online.
Are there any post-secondary education exemptions?
No, there is no level of education considered eligible for an exemption from the CritiCall Exam.
What score do I need to pass?
Each module is assessed individually and the levels to achieve a passing grade in each case are established by the RCMP. A passing grade is required in each of the modules to obtain a passing score on the CritiCall Exam. You will be notified of your results within 4 weeks of the testing date and only a "pass" or "fail" will be indicated.
If you fail the CritiCall Exam on your first attempt, you will be allowed an opportunity to re-take the exam after a two-week waiting period. If you are not successful on the second attempt, there will be a six month waiting period before you can reapply.
I've passed the CritiCall exam! What happens next?
If you are selected to continue in the application process, you will be invited to participate in a formal panel interview.
Step three: Panel interview
Once you have successfully passed the CritiCall Exam, you may be invited to participate in a formal panel interview. The average length of the interview is one to two hours. To help you prepare, please refer to the Police Dispatcher Candidate Selection Guide.
I've passed the panel interview! What happens next?
If you are selected to continue in the application process, you will be required to provide your employment history.
Step four: Employment reference checks
You will be required to provide a detailed history of your employment and volunteering for the last 10 years. Employment checks will be conducted and a selection panel determines if you are suitable and meet the staffing qualifications for the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher position.
I've passed employment reference checks! What happens next?
If you are selected to continue in the application process, you will be required to provide personal and medical information for the next stages of the application process: security investigation, medical assessment.
Step five: Security investigation and medical assessment
Security investigation
Using the Security Screening Management System (SSMS), you will be required to provide a detailed history of your employment, education, residences, family, and criminal activities (including drug use) for the last 10 years and submit your fingerprints. The fingerprint-based criminal record check may require local and/or federal processing fees. Local fees are determined by the local police agency. SSMS is an online database system that delivers case management solutions for the processing of personnel security screening for the RCMP.
You may also be required to participate in an in-person interview with a Police Security Investigator who reviews and discusses all of the information you provided. This interview is to assist in determining your suitability for employment with the 9-1-1 Police Dispatch environment and the RCMP. The RCMP expects you to be free of all illegal activity.
If you have a security clearance with another police agency, you will still be required to undergo this Security Investigation step.
Listed below are copies of the forms you will be asked to complete when submitting your security application online.
- Security Questionnaire for Enhanced Screening (RCMP 1020-1)
- Security Clearance Form (TBS 330-60)
- Personnel Screening, Consent and Authorization (TBS 330-23E)
Medical assessment
You will need to complete a medical assessment that consists of three components. All medical assessments are confidential and are reviewed by an RCMP medical doctor.
Hearing assessment
A hearing test is necessary to ensure you meet the level of hearing required to work on the phone and the police two-way radio system. The results are recorded on a chart called an audiogram. The hearing test must be administered by a registered audiologist and the fee of approximately $50 is at your cost.
The following form is to be completed as part your hearing test, then submitted to the Medical Assessment Coordinator:
Medical questionnaire
You will need to answer questions regarding your medical history, including existing and prior medical conditions. You may be asked to submit medical information from your physician(s) and the fees to obtain this information is at your cost.
The following forms are to be completed and submitted to the Medical Assessment Coordinator:
Psychological assessment
You will be required to complete a psychological assessment, called the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). The MMPI is a standardized psychometric test of adult personality and psychopathology and is used to determine your suitability for this line of work. It takes approximately 1-2 hours to complete the MMPI exam.
Your Recruiter will provide you information on how to coordinate your psychological assessment.
The security investigation and medical assessment step may take between 8-12 weeks. To avoid delays, please ensure all forms are complete and accurate before submission. Also, we expect for you to schedule and attend appointments when requested.
I've passed the security investigation and medical assessment! What happens next?
Congratulations! You have successfully completed the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher application process. If selected for the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Trainee position, you will be contacted by a Recruiter and offered a full-time term contract to participate in the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Training Program.
Please refer to the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher application process chart to help guide you through the process.
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