police dispatcher

police officer

call taker

it analyst

telecommunications operator

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Fact; You are required to compete for each position that is created or that becomes vacant. You could be asked to "act" in a vacant higher classification/paying position for 1-3 years and then have to compete for it and not obtain it. I find that where other Federal Departments advertise within their department, RCMP advertise most often outside of their Department for competitions which could mean a "higher classification and pay level for someone within the RCMP who, in my opionion, is very qualified and suitable to do the job as proven through their "acting". Their is no loyalty by management in their departments or the RCMP to the people (PS's) who work within. Most often the excuse for not obtaining the position is "suitability", which tends to be subjective and whether or not you are "liked" by whoever is on the board or managing that particular unit. It is discouraging when you continually compete for slightly higher classifications which you have either acted in or obtained the necessary training and courses and cannot pass the "competition" process and someone from another department or from outside is successful. However, you may have been continually told that you're doing a great job! Someone with no RCMP experience, someone without the courses and training that your own department has provided and paid for in order for you to obtain "certification" . Once you are "black balled" in HR or by a "superior" who you may have had a conflict with (and yes it happens when you have a difference of personality or opinion with some regular members or officers who may supervise public servants) you will be continually followed by that, whether or not you obtain the suggested education (certifications) and training to do other positions better. My advise: Work for other Federal Departments if you can and avoid the RCMP. The culture is sudo-militaristic and really, RM's do not have much interaction or respect for what their support people do. There is a definite division and feel between RM's, CM's, and PS's and it is not a healthy, happy environment. (I have experience with other Federal Department and it was much better being all PS's, with the professional research and lab technitions...no RM's and no CM's.) Energy Mines and Resources was good for me. (Now called Natural Resources Canada).
For me, the hardest part of my RCMP positions is the no respect aspect and no loyalty from your employer/supervisors and Regular Members's and Civilian Member's.
For me, the most enjoyable part of the job is the interaction with the public and clients and the satisfaction of knowing you make a difference to them.

Cons: The long drawn out competition process ... there is no "promotion" system for Public Servants as it is a Union environment and everything is "competition". This gets very tiresome if you tend to be a non-competitive type of person. One lady who has worked here from highschool - 25 years - competed a couple of times and was so discouraged and stressed by it, that she never competed again. She is still a CR04 and will likely retire at that classification, when she is the most knowledgeable and a real "go to" person for everyone from the director down to new staff hires.(not me). Reclassification of her position was also denied, yet she really does a lot more than her job description.

You can compete, get screened in, test, and qulaify and pass everything and then have them decide to put a "hiring priority" from another department or hire someone "on contract" for a year and not fill the position...or cancel the competition after all the trouble you've gone through. You have to understant that every competition takes anywhere from 3-18 months to fill from the time you apply! There can be up to 3 times you need to go for testing and interviews, meaning you have to take time off your regular job.

Other Federal Departments seem to be quicker at filling positions...I may be wrong, but it is my experience with the RCMP that their HR department is very lacking in support for the applicants and all about supporting the managers. Other Federal HR departments I have been in contact with over the years for other competitions have given me more guidance, information and help than our RCMP one has ever done. Ours, I find, is almost indifferent and does not want to deal with the competitors in either helping them find more suitable positions or providing guidance and advice. Perhaps it's due to their lack of staff or their high turn over?

I find myself laughing here, because I sound like Rodney Dangerfield, "I get no respect!" Oh well, it's a job and it's all pensionable. I am fortunate to have one at this point with all the cut-backs and the way the economy is. (April, 2012)
I am a naturally happy and enthusiastic person, but have found it grinds on you after many years of redundancy and ineptness with the system, and seeing people who are really non-workers getting higher classifications and making a lot more money than someone who has great work ethics and really has a huge store of practical work knowledge, and has proven themselves capable. This happens simply because they are good at the "competition" process. That's throughout the Federal Public Service, not just RCMP, and remember the "suitability" part of the competition is really subjective...it still boils down to how the boss perceives you!

If I had it to do all over again and was much younger...I would get a degree and do something that there is always a demand for and more satisfying where you can make a difference...dentistry, nursing, doctor, mortician, accountant, plumber, electrician, computer tech, IT trades person, teacher, social worker...and skip the Federal Public Service and the RCMP altogether. After your pension is locked in as a public servant- 10 years - it seems that it tends to create a different mind-set in the public servant about such things - you limit yourself!

If you're under 35 - go out and do something else with your life! Don't become a public servant! It is too mind numbing! Go for the gusto!

In a word.... horrendous! If your considering policing anywhere in Canada, run the other way and forget about this organization. In every way there is little future promise this wobbling upside down pyramid will survive.
The draconian, antiquated, 19 th century style of policing in the modern age is unsustainable. It's currently imploding as I write this. Staffing anemic at best, and getting worse.... If it were possible. Working for this force has taught me, from the inside out, how a 150 year old entity can perfect a Ponzi scheme so massive you wouldn't believe it till your on the inside. Management are fabulously overpaid, disconnected, slugs reaping the rewards of a desperately abused but talented work force. As was already said, the public has no idea what they are getting for the money they pay. Surrey is an example of a city that saw the light and acted swiftly. Every municipality needs to pay attention!!The emperor has no clothes folks!
The only salvation for the good people who slave everyday and risk their lives and sanity to serve the public in this entity, is the promise of one day watching it crumble to the ground. A complete overhaul and re-build is critical.... If not then complete dissolution. Working conditions are not just terrible they are extremely dangerous... Walmart style policing is what they are feeding the public, but folks are too foolish to pause and take notice. They are decades behind in efficiency and modernization, and have long passed the opportunities to change this. Managers and officers out number boots on the ground by a minimum of 2/1 and this is insane. Trust me when I tell you working for this tyrant will shave years off your life... Sadly I regret spending a decade of my life investing in the faint hope it would change. They sell the skin of the truth stuffed with a lie...Do YOUR  RESEARCH don't  fall for the smoke and mirrors it's not what you think!
Only a fool would join this outfit in 2019...
Do your homework you'll see.

Written by a police officer in general duty with 2-3 years experience plus relevant past experience in mental health and law enforcement. 

Serving in a middle size to larger size detachment with 75 + regular members

Your positing and location will affect your experience. For example in BC the RCMP does a lot of the policing outside of the Lower Main Land (fills in the gabs) and even in parts of the LMD (Burnaby, Richmond etc.). Your experience will be different if you are posted in a small 3 person detachment up north compared to a middle size or larger (75-100 + member detachment). 

Cons: being away from home and loved ones,  posted across the country, Colleagues (A type personalities) can be stressful and difficult to work with. Clients that "don't like you and don't like police", criticism from everywhere- colleagues, public and supervisors. Lots of forms to complete. Lack of time to complete follow up investigations and Crown reports. Pressure to perform. Taking that 4AM Domestic right before end of shift and your tired.
Pros: If you work hard you will be respected and rewarded. Advancement. Move around the country if this interest you. Different sections/ specializations. Pay is supposed to get better with incoming Union. Talk about mental health is more prevalent. Push for ongoing courses and in-house and online learning is continuous.

Overall, I've had a good impression and my colleagues and work environment have been positive and I’ve had a good exposure and learning experience in 2 + years. Sure it's not perfect but it's what you make it.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working as law enforcement is usually exciting and very rewarding.  No two days are the same.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The horrible management and lack of leadership.  Knowing that you have to do a job but the management does not have your back.  Police work is not the worst part, the management is.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Most officers start with good intentions.  They become jaded from a toxic internal work environment which includes rewarding bad behaviour and poor work ethic.  Promotions and positions favour a (force first) attitude over family and life balance.  Most with high ego and narcissism excel within the RCMP.  The status of the RCMP, retention and recruitment, reflect the dismal management.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Go to the detachment and change into uniform.  Attend the morning briefing.  Get duty bag and weapons for vehicle.  Sign into vehicle and sign onto the call board.  Begin receiving calls(files) throughout the day.  Work in the office if necessary doing administrative work .  Other days may include court or training.  The shift is a 4 on 4 off schedule.  Two days and two nights with a swing shift in between.  12 hour shifts. This is for general duty.  Other positions involve a different schedule such as plain clothes units or rural posts which may have on call.

I've been a member for over 10 years with the RCMP. The job is secure, your co-workers tend to be like minded good people. Lots of opportunity to progress or try different job opportunities, however the promotion process is flawed with non-applicable testing etc. The downfalls lay with the organization and management. Pay is horrible and being a federal organization with no representation you will find more support and much better pay with a Municipal Police Force. Transfers in the RCMP are horrible, the fee structure for services such as home inspections / lawyers etc. are out of date and don't cover the full expenses so if you get placed somewhere you don't plan on staying this is something to keep in mind for down the road. Members often pay out of pocket to move locations. Training is great for some units and detachments, non-existent for others.  The National Police Federation is on it's way in to provide a framework for representation but realistically is years away. Managers within the RCMP tend to be those willing to move around and often those who advance end up in positions they don't necessarily have the experience to be in. There are obviously many exceptions and it is typically luck of the draw for who you may be end up working for, competent vs. incompetent. I would definitely suggest policing as a career path, however if I was to do it again knowing what I know now I would focus on Municipal Departments and steer clear of the RCMP.

On my shift, I'd regularly check on the prisoner, clean up if there are anything out of place, organize the workplace and visually check the prisoner(s) instead of relying on the security camera. Must adhere to confidentiality of any activity in the cells or who was placed in the prison cells. When I first started, I wasn't very organized, much less cared about it but it did make it more manageable to find important papers. Now today, I can't stand it if the workplace is messy or if anything is out of place.  
I rarely work with other guards unless there's a serious situation, which is in fact, rarely. The only time I see other guards is if we have shift change. 
Probably the difficult areas in working as a guard would have to be; forget how they behaved in the cells if they have given me a hard time during work. Or if there is unexpected change on the hours where we have to remain at work longer than usual. Overtime is never a problem for me unless there were plans ahead of time. 
Going along with change of hours is no problem for me, I have a lot of free time and pretty much no life. So the only interesting thing I like about the day is working. 
The most enjoyable part of the job that I can think of is getting called to work early in the evening and work until morning. I like working long hours. 
So I have to say, this is probably the best jobs I ever had/have. 
But the only problem is that, it's not fulfilling enough

After over 12+ years with the RCMP I am disappointed with the organization. I thought I was joining the best police force in Canada, but sadly I was not. At about year 6 you start to see how things run in the RCMP.  

The good; history of the RCMP, with the coming union the management in Ottawa knows things better on track and they are at least trying to get our equipment up to date. We have nice horses. 

The bad; The RCMP has no planning for equipment or training (our equipment is not very good, eg. our pistol went out of production in 1999 and we have no replacement for at least another 3+ years), it took multiple member deaths and inquiries to get us carbines, always short staffed, have slow outdated computers, promotion system flawed, little to no compensation when transferring and you loose money on your house (your screwed if you bought a house in Alberta in 2014 and are transfering), always a lot of hot air from Ottawa about how things are changing in the RCMP to the public but at the front line Constable level nothing changing but more forms to fill out, the RCMP has a 1800 number to for the public to complain about its RCMP members, policy on what to do for a investigation is impossible to find on the rcmp infoweb and not easy to understand when you do find it....and on and on

So bottom line, my advice is to join a muni force or join the RCMP for 2 years and jump ship to a better police organization.

A typical day at work is different each week as duties are rotated amongst employees.  Having worked in a police environment for 17 years has provided me with many challenges, duties and skills required in this job along with dealing with the general public both in person and over the phone which is for the most part not pleasant due to the many issues people report to the police.  I have no issues with management or co-workers and get along with all.  I have very strict self-imposed work ethics, which makes me very neat and accurate in everything I do.  I find myself to stay calm and positive and always open to new challenges and ideas.  The most difficult part of this job is dealing with emotionally distraught people and the stress it can bring when the days get really busy.  The only negative part of my job is sitting at a desk most of my work day.  The enjoyable part of my day is when a stranger gives me a compliment for being helpful in their situation or just a general positive compliment - which happens on rare occasions.  Even if it's only that I have a nice calm voice on the phone and people are willing to provide me with their information which otherwise they would have given to a member of the RCMP.

First off, a career in policing is difficult but very rewarding.  It takes a special kind of mentality to do this job and I have no regrets regarding my career choice.  I do regret the force I joined, being the RCMP.  Members are overworked short staffed and work with the most outdated equipment in canada.  Leadership is rare in this outfit.  Most NCOs will hang you out to dry to earn a competency towards another promotion, and the commissioned officers are some of the biggest bullies in the force.  There is no communication between street members and management.  Trying to voice your concerns to the upper ranks will earn you a warning to shut up and fall in line or else.  The health service offices do everything in its power to bully and force members with operational stress injuries out of the organization, while telling the rest they have their best interests in mind.  Harassment is rampant, morale is at rock bottom, and the government has no interest in fixing the deep systemic issues within the organization.  Aspiring officers, do yourself a favour and join elsewhere.  The career is worthwhile, this organization is not

After 27 years with the RCMP, I have had a good career. I enjoyed the commaraderie with my fellow officers. I will miss the people the most. I have had bad experiences with higher management and as a result my chances for advancement has suffered.

The hardest part of the job was looking after my people. The worse thing you can do in the RCMP is stand up for your people. Management in the RCMP needs to take a step back and really take a look at how they treat front line police officers.

The best part of my job was when I worked National Security. When 911 occurred, I was working National Security at the time. That day will always be with me. It was a time when my work really took off. The feeling of trying to catch terrorist's was very profound. I had the opportunity to work closley with other agencies such as CSIS, the FBI, CIA, the US Secret Service and other international enforcement agencies.

I also enjoyed the Protection Duites when International Dignitaries visited Vancouver. I had the opportunity to meet and protect many world leaders over the years.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Police dispatcher 61 salaries reported	$76,301 per year
Police officer 6 salaries reported	$99,429 per year
Call taker 1 salary reported	$71,228 per year
It analyst 3 salaries reported	$95,667 per year
Telecommunications operator 1 salary reported	$54,688 per year

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