Frequently Asked Questions
Is York Regional Police currently hiring?
We are actively recruiting for the current year. Applications will be kept on file until the end of each calendar year.
Does York Regional Police conduct their own testing?
No. York Regional Police utilizes the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Constable Selection System to recruit Police Constables. Applicants interested in a career as a Police Constable with York Regional Police must obtain a valid OACP Certificate of Results prior to submitting their application to the service.
Applicant Testing Services (ATS)
540 Clarke Road, Unit 14
London ON, N5V 2C7
1-800-429-7728
Applicants may also visit www.applicanttesting.com for testing schedules and locations of testing centres.
Do I get paid while training?
Yes, you will receive a Cadet-in-Training salary.
How long is the training period?
Level 1 Training - Seven weeks at the York Regional Police Training & Education facility located at #4 District Headquarters, 2700 Rutherford Road, Vaughan, ON.
Level 2 Training - 12-to-13 weeks (60 training days) at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer, Ontario.
Level 3 Training - Seven weeks at the York Regional Police Training & Education Unit, #4 District Headquarters, 2700 Rutherford Road, Vaughan, ON.
Level 4 Training - Upon successful completion of Level 3 Training, Cadets-in-Training are sworn in as Fourth Class Constables and assigned to a Platoon at one of the five York Regional Police Districts. Once at their assigned Districts, each new officer will be required to undergo an intensive training period with a qualified Coach Officer. This training period will include an average of 60 working shifts of 12 hours in duration.
How do I become a First Class Constable?
New constables will be reclassified on an annual basis for the first three years, subject to performance reviews.
When a member who attends the Ontario Police College Basic Constable Training Program obtains 85% or more in his/her overall average, as well as passes all required academic and practical subjects, including but not limited to: defensive tactics, firearms, police vehicle operations and physical fitness and without the need for remedial training by the service, he/she shall be entitled to an advance of two months towards his/her next reclassification.
Can I apply for specialized units?
Most postings for specialized units within York Regional Police are filled through open competition. The minimum requirement for specialized units is usually a level of First Class Constable with at least one year of experience.
Will my military experience help?
York Regional Police values the contributions made by the brave men and women of the Canadian Forces. While specialized military training will very likely prove valuable once an applicant is hired with York Regional Police, the Constable Selection Process remains the same for every applicant regardless of military service.
How long is the recruiting process?
If you are successful in obtaining and passing an interview, your file will normally be processed during a two to twelve-week period. Successful candidates may then be extended a conditional offer of employment for the next available recruit class at the Ontario Police College. The Uniform Recruiting Unit actively recruits potential candidates to fill new recruit classes three times per calendar year. Our new recruit classes typically begin in April, August and December.
How many times can I apply?
Resumes are kept on file for a period of one calendar year, so there is no need to reapply within that time period. Candidates who have previously entered our interview process and have been unsuccessful, may reapply after the prescribed waiting period (one year depending on the reason for rejection). Applicants are free to apply for available positions within the service as often as they wish but not more than once per calendar year. Applicants are expected to continue enhancing their level of competitiveness with each new application attempt. Recruiting officers are trained to seek out those applicants who display a demonstrated commitment to self-improvement, continuing education and community service involvement.
I am member of a diverse community. Do I get special consideration?
York Regional Police proudly welcomes applications for available positions from members of any community. We are committed to ensuring that our police officers are reflective of the communities in which they serve. In accordance with the guidelines set out by the OACP Constable Selection System, all applicants must meet the same standards and be as competitive as all others.
I am a woman, do I get special consideration?
York Regional Police encourages female candidates to apply. All applicants must meet the same standards and be as competitive as all others.
What is the sequence of your selection process?
- Submission of complete police constable application package to the Uniform Recruiting Unit by the applicant
- Initial screening of complete police constable application package by members of the Uniform Recruiting Unit
- Selected applicants invited to attend a police district to complete pre-interview paperwork and other Constable Selection System documents
- Further screening of completed pre-interview paperwork and other Constable Selection System documents by members of the Uniform Recruiting Unit
- Selected applicants may be invited to participate in a York Regional Police interview held at the Uniform Recruiting Unit office located at 16775 Yonge Street, Newmarket, ON
- Selected applicants who successfully complete the interview may be invited to a police facility for the purpose of completing the Communication Assessment testing
- Selected applicants may be invited to participate in the psychological phase of constable selection. At this stage, applicants will complete two written psychological tests (MMPI-2 & PF16). Applicants may then be invited for a psychological interview with a qualified psychologist
- Selected applicants may then be notified that their police constable application has reached the background investigation stage
- Driving Assessment
- Final review stage
- Conditional offer of employment
- Medical evaluation
NOTE: Applicants must be cognizant of the fact that the successful completion of any stage of the Constable Selection Process does not automatically guarantee consideration at subsequent stages. The Uniform Recruiting Unit is committed to ensuring that only the most competitive candidates, who best meet the needs of the service, be selected to progress through the various stages of the selection process. In the event that an applicant should be deemed no longer competitive, notification will be made via letter or by phone without delay.
Applicants are respectfully requested to remain patient throughout the Constable Selection Process with York Regional Police. The service receives hundreds of applications from interested and qualified applicants every year for a limited number of available positions.
Unless otherwise advised, a candidate’s police constable application will remain active for one full year with York Regional Police.
What can I expect if I reach the psychological evaluation stage of constable selection?
An applicant who reaches the background investigation stage of Constable Selection will be required to undergo a psychological evaluation with a qualified psychologist. The candidate will be invited to attend the offices of the Uniform Recruiting Unit for the purpose of completing two written/electronic psychological examinations. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory #2 (MMPI-2) consists of 567 questions. The 16PF 5th edition consists of 185 questions. Candidates should allow three to four hours to complete the written testing. A psychological interview will then follow and the applicant will be directed to attend the office of a qualified psychologist. The psychological interview lasts 1.5 to two hours. The psychologist will review the applicant’s completed test sheets and will apply a structured scoring criteria established by the OACP Constable Selection System. The applicant’s suitability to become a police officer will also be evaluated following the guidelines set out by the OACP Constable Selection System. Following the interview, the psychologist will then generate a final report to the Uniform Recruiting Unit. A successful result is valid for one year. An applicant who is not successful at this stage of selection will be screened out of the process for one year.
How can I prepare for the interview stage of constable selection?
Applicants are encouraged to attend one of our Employment Information Sessions. Valuable information concerning the interview is discussed at these sessions. Recruiting Officers are present and will offer candidates valuable insight into the structure of the interview and the expectations. Officers also review common mistakes made by applicants during the various phases of constable selection.
I have received a letter telling me that I am not being considered further for employment. Can I find out why?
Employment related records are excluded from the jurisdiction of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. As such, the specific reason(s) for which an applicant is screened out of the Constable Selection Process will not be disclosed. Applicants are reminded that the Constable Selection Process is very competitive. York Regional Police receives hundreds of applications from qualified applicants each year for a limited number of available positions. The Uniform Recruiting Unit is committed to selecting the most competitive applicants to be offered positions within the police service. Occasionally, the available pool of qualified police constable applicants will exceed the number of available positions resulting in desirable candidates being rejected from consideration. Applicants who are rejected are encouraged to embark on self-evaluation for the purpose of assessing one’s own level of competitiveness. Candidates who wish to reapply after the prescribed waiting period are expected to take full advantage of the waiting period to enhance their level of competitiveness in all areas.
Do I need a Police Foundations diploma or a Law and Security diploma to be hired as a police constable?
No. In compliance with the Police Services Act of Ontario, the minimum educational requirement to be a police constable in the province of Ontario is proof of completion of four years of secondary school education or equivalency. Applicants are required to submit a copy of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma at the time of application. Notwithstanding this minimum requirement, the majority of police constable applicants have either some college/university education OR have years of demonstrated commitment to an employer. The Uniform Recruiting Unit does not specifically recommend that an applicant obtain post secondary education in the areas of Police Foundations or Law and Security. However, an applicant who chooses to proceed with post secondary studies is expected to perform at their academic best in whatever program they chose. Recruiting Officers are trained to examine an applicant’s educational history during constable selection. A candidate can expect to have their educational transcripts scrutinized, their attendance/absenteeism scrutinized, and their commitment to success in their chosen program scrutinized. The constable selection process is very competitive and only the most qualified applicants who demonstrate their dedication to achieving academic success will move forward in the process.
My driving record is not very good. Will this have an impact on my Police Constable application?
As a Police Constable with the York Regional Police, you will be required to safely operate a service vehicle during the course of your scheduled shift. You will be required to operate the vehicle in all types of weather conditions on any given day of the year. As such, an applicant for the Police Constable position will be expected to demonstrate safe and lawful driving habits. Applicants who have a poor/weak driving history may be deemed less competitive than other applicants who have maintained a clean driving record.
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If you have other questions or concerns, please contact our Uniform Recruiting Unit via email recruiting@yrp.ca .
Thank you for your interest in York Regional Police. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you success in our selection process.
