Is This Career Right for You?
A self-evaluation questionnaire
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. You will be:
- The voice Behind the Headset.
- The First of the First Responders.
- The police officer’s partner on the front line.
- Part of a team that maintains public safety.
- Part of a culture where your colleagues become your second family.
- Proud to be part of the RCMP’s rich culture and traditions.
However, this job is not for everyone. There are several inherent realities of the position that you should understand as you consider if this career is the right choice for you. The following self-evaluation questionnaire is intended to help you determine whether a career as a 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher is right for you. Each of the following statements describes an important quality, characteristic or consideration required of a 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher. It will help you determine if your experience matches up with the responsibilities of the job. Consider these statements carefully, and be honest with yourself.
| Job Fit: Ask yourself... | Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Am I committed to helping others in a public safety environment? | ||
| 2. | Am I accountable for my actions and live a lifestyle that is honest and free from illegal activities? | ||
| 3. | When exposed to traumatic, violent, or disturbing events, can I manage my emotions while completing essential job duties? | ||
| 4. | Do I have a support system in place at home for debriefing, managing and coping with stress? | ||
| 5. | Am I able to work well with others, be supportive and flexible? | ||
| 6. | Am I empathetic and willing to help someone who is experiencing an emergency? | ||
| 7. | Do I meet all of the minimum requirements for the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher position? (e.g., Canadian citizen, high school diploma) | ||
| 8. | Do I have effective keyboarding skills and can I type 43 net words per minute with an accuracy rate of 95%? | ||
| Work Environment: Are you willing and able to... | Yes | No | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Provide medical information and participate in a medical assessment to determine if I meet the requirements established for this position? | ||
| 2. | Work in a semi confined or restrictive workspace, wear a headset, track multiple screens, and be exposed to noise disturbances for an extended period of time? | ||
| 3. | Do I accept that I will be required to work weekends, holidays, birthdays and special occasions and the impact it may have on my personal and family life? | ||
| 4. | Work a shift that is 8 to 12 hours in length and work a rotating schedule that consists of a combination of day and night shifts to a support 24/7 work environment (e.g., 7:00 pm to 7:00 am)? | ||
| 5. | Travel to attend court and provide testimony? | ||
| 6. | Travel to attend mandatory training? | ||
| 7. | Communicate calmly and professionally with callers who are in various emotional states (e.g. angry, confused etc.) and may use profane language? | ||
| 8. | Work in an environment that requires managing sustained periods of moderate to high levels of stress? | ||
| 9. | Work in an environment that involves interaction with a diversity of cultures, nationalities, and languages? | ||
Results
If you answered No
to any of these questions, perhaps this is not the career for you at this time. Learn More.
If you answered Yes
to all of these questions and would like to proceed to the next stage, contact our E_911RECRUITING@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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