Recruiting Process for Police Officers

Come to an in-person information session. If you are not able to attend in person, you can view a previously recorded session.

Complete and submit your application package and an integrity and lifestyle questionnaire.

This three-hour entrance exam sits on Saturdays. A passing mark of 60% is required for police officer applicants. You will be tested on grammar, spelling, composition, comprehension, and mathematics at a Grade 12 level. The exam also includes a section on memory and short essay responses, and will be handwritten, with no spell check or calculators. Errors in spelling and grammar will result in marks deducted from your score. See a sample test and Ethos Police Exam Learning Resources.

Two Recruiting detectives will interview you and review your integrity and lifestyle questionnaire and personal history. They assesses your integrity, problem-solving abilities, respect for diversity, community service orientation, self-initiative, and acceptance of responsibility.

Following a successful interview, a psychological assessment will be conducted. This includes a written psychological assessment and a one-on-one interview with a registered psychologist.

If you have been honest and forthcoming throughout the application process, you should have no concerns about the polygraph stage.

If you are successful,  you will have an interview with a Recruiting sergeant, who will determine if you move forward to a final medical examination and background investigation. You’ll review your file and provide a personal autobiography as well as a list of both employment and character references.

A thorough background investigation by a detective from the Recruiting Unit will include interviews with your family, long-time friends, present and past employers and colleagues, neighbours, and landlords.

You will complete a medical exam by a physician contracted by the City of Vancouver. Hearing standards are assessed at this stage. Basic Function Movement testing will be done which assesses fitness, such as push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and flexibility.

The cost of the medical exam is paid by the VPD.