Application Process

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 self-evaluation questionnaire was designed to help you determine whether a career as a 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher is right for you.

The self-evaluation questionnaire, "Is this Career Right for You?," includes statements that describe 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.

Our Career Presentation offers you the chance to hear first-hand from our Recruiters about the exciting career as a 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher. You will also receive information about the requirements and expectations for the Application Process.

If you are not sure if this career is for you and you want to know more, we recommend you register to attend a Career Presentation.

Career Presentations are approximately one hour. Visit the Recruiting Events page to find a location near you.

You are required to attend a Career Presentation before submitting your application to the 9-1-1 Police Dispatch Recruitment Team.

Do you live in British Columbia?

BC RCMP is recruiting applicants that reside in British Columbia. Only applications from this area of selection will be considered.

If you do not reside in British Columbia, please check for 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher opportunities in other locations by regularly searching RCMP Telecommunications Operator on the public service jobs website.

9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Application Package

Please include the following documents in your application package:

1. 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Application Form (RCMP Form ED 6218)
2. 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.
3. 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. The timeframe to receive a notification is approximately 2-4 weeks.

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
• 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.

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. 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 for the next stages of the Application Process: Suitability.

Reference checks are conducted and a Selection Panel determines if you are suitable for hiring and meet the staffing qualifications for the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher position.

I've passed Suitability! 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.

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. 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.

• Security Questionnaire for Enhanced Screening (RCMP 1020-1)
• Security Screening Application and Consent Form (TBS 330-60)

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.

1. 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 is at your cost.

   The following form is to be completed as part your hearing test, then submitted to the Medical Assessment Coordinator:

   • Screening Audiogram History (RCMP 3184)

2. 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:

   • Preliminary Medical Questionnaire (RCMP 2202)
   • Medical Information Reference (RCMP 6222)

3. 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?
If selected for the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Trainee position, you will proceed to the next stages of the Application Process: Selection and Training.

You must successfully complete all steps of the Application Process to be considered for a position in the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Training Program.

As training positions become available, candidates that are the best fit will be contacted by a Recruiter and offered a full-time term contract to participate in the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Training Program.