Frequently asked questions

On this page

1. Is the career presentation in person or on-line?
2. What if I do not reside in British Columbia?
3. How long does it take to complete the application process?
4. Is there an age restriction?
5. What are the modules in the CritiCall Exam?
6. How do I prepare for the panel interview?
7. What is involved in the medical assessment?
8. Is vision tested in the medical assessment?
9. Will I receive training?
10. How many training courses are offered each year?
11. What will my work schedule be?
12. How far in advance do you find out your work schedule?
13. How much vacation time do I get?
14. Is part time employment offered?
15. What are the career advancement opportunities?
16. Is post-secondary funding available?

Q1: Is the career presentation in person or virtual?

We offer both in person and virtual Career Presentation sessions. Visit our Career Presentation page for more information.

Q2: What if I do not reside in British Columbia?

If you do not reside within a 500 km radius of Courtenay, Kelowna, Surrey and Prince George (British Columbia), please check for 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher opportunities in other provinces and territories by regularly searching RCMP Telecommunications Operator on the public service jobs website.

Q3: How long does it take to complete the application process?

The application process involves five steps and takes approximately 4-5 months to complete. The application process includes a comprehensive security investigation that takes approximately 3-4 months to complete.

Q4: Is there an age restriction?

No. The ability to work with a team, adapt to shift-work and have the amplitude to think or respond quickly are definite assets of a 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher. Working 12-hour shifts, especially through the night, and managing the psychological demands of the position may be challenging for some 9-1-1 Police Dispatchers who are in the later years of their career. However, these challenges impact everyone differently and you will need to assess your own capacity and stamina.

Q5: What are the modules in the CritiCall Exam?

The CritiCall Exam is an online entrance exam and provides a realistic job preview. The exam consists of 8 modules: keyboarding, data entry, multitasking, decision making, short-term memory recall, street map reading, spelling, reading and comprehension.

Q6: How do I prepare for the panel interview?

The Panel Interview contains questions that largely focus on examples of how you have performed in different situations. It will focus on your own abilities and how you have demonstrated them in the past.

The Police Dispatcher Candidate Selection Guide will provide you with information on how to prepare for a successful interview.

Q7: What is involved in the medical assessment?

The medical assessment includes three components: Hearing Assessment, Medical Questionnaire and Psychological Assessment. You will be required to complete a hearing test, answer questions about your medical history and 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 one tool used to determine your suitability for this line of work.

Q8: Is vision tested in the medical assessment?

No. If you have vision which is corrected or not correctable with eyeglasses, or colour blindness you will need to submit medical confirmation of your visual acuity in Snellen format.

Q9: Will I receive training?

Yes. As a 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Trainee, you will attend our Pacific Region Training Centre located in Chilliwack, for three weeks of Call Taking training and a subsequent two weeks of Dispatch training. Your on-the-job training will continue in your home 9-1-1 Police Dispatch Centre. You will be assigned a dedicated Field Coach who will coach you through your training and help you prepare for your final evaluations.

9-1-1 Police Dispatch Centres host various training days annually in support of continuous development.

Q10: How many training courses are offered each year?

There are 4 training courses offered each year. Follow this link for more information on Training.

Q11: What will my work schedule be?

As a full-time variable shift worker, you will be scheduled to work 300 hours over an eight-week period. The duration of your shifts may vary from 8- 12 hours. For example, you may be scheduled to work 7:00 am – 7:00 pm, or 11:00 am – 8:00 pm or 7:00 at night to 7:00 in the morning. As the shifts may vary, so may the rotation of the shifts. Essentially, scheduling is based on the support of the operations.

Q12: How far in advance do you find out your work schedule?

Work schedules are posted 28 days in advance.

Q13: How much vacation time do I get?

A new employee earns 9.375 hours of vacation leave credits per month, which allows for 10 days of vacation per year. The vacation leave credits per month increases with years of service.

Q14: Is part time employment offered?

Some Dispatch Centres may be able to offer flexible work arrangements once you successfully complete the full-time paid training program. Flexible work refers to a variety of arrangements—including reduced hours (ex 30 hrs/week), fixed schedules (ex Thursday to Sunday) and so on—that provide for meeting operational requirements of positions and for enhancing the work-life balance of employees.

Q15: What are the career advancement opportunities?

There are many career opportunities in the 9-1-1 Police Dispatcher Program, such as coaching new employees, facilitating training and shift supervisor, team leaders and management positions.

Q16: Is post-secondary funding available?

Yes. The RCMP has an Education/Tuition Reimbursement Program available to employees who are seeking to further develop their skill set. This program provides some financial assistance to enhance employee's performance in the workplace by funding learning activities from accredited educational institutions. The education must be relevant to the operational needs of your current job or personal development.