Hiring police officers in Canada is a well-researched topic which holds great importance to providing effective and reliable safety services to communities whether military or civilian. 

The Military Police, like our civilian counterparts, use an extensive process to hire new members. Having recently been apart of the Assessment Centre used to ensure candidates meet required competencies it seemed appropriate to share how we do business. 

Like all military occupations a visit to the recruiting centre is needed. If an applicant selects MP (or MPO) their education and background will be screened in addition to the usual entry requirements.

MP non-commissioned members require a complete police foundations course, and MP officers require a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in a related field. 

Once deemed acceptable by the recruiting system the “file” is passed to the Military Police Group. Candidates applying will be again vetted to ensure they meet the pre-defined standards and then loaded on a “Military Police Assessment Centre” or MPAC. 

The MPAC is not a place, but rather a process which can be held anywhere.

Lasting three days for non-commissioned members or four for officers, this intense process involves various measures of suitability for the policing occupation. Standardized testing of skills sets occur, and candidates must demonstrate the key competencies that the Military Police Group demands. 

While pass rates fluctuate, the honest, hardworking and forthright candidate will be successful in the process. Merely passing an MPAC, however, does not mean a guaranteed job.

Like other employers, the Military Police will select the most competitive applicants based on available information. 

Seeing the assessment process in action was a rewarding experience, and exhibits the importance of finding the right people to keep our military safe.