Ode to My Father

Growing up, most little girls have fun by playing with dolls, setting up for tea and braiding their best friends hair. This was not exactly the way I grew up. I grew up with an older brother, who had dinky cars, sports equipment and G.I. Joe's. I idolized him and wanted everything he had. So I got some female G.I. Joe's and some sports equipment and played along. I also had five awesome guys to grow up with on my street. Lots of sports, man-hunt and the occasional fight ;) I love them to this day and honestly cherish the times we had. I can't thank them enough for being there.

They will kill me for this picture!- Dave's Going Away Party 1996?

I grew up very much a tomboy. I actually wore my father's hockey t-shirts. Go HABS! Also a lot of my brothers clothes. Woo! Notre Dame! Its kinda embarrassing now that I think of it, why didn't anyone tell me!? In a way it has brought me to where I am now. No, I don't wear boys clothes, unless it is in the privacy of my own house. Gotta love those big baggy shirts! But I have had so many male influences in my life and in my education and work, it will make my transition easier into the Police Force. I know now after 10 years spent in my line of work, my father was trying to tell me something all along.


So, on top of hanging with the boys, I watched a lot of Cop shows. My Dad and I would watch a lot of murder mystery shows that always kept me on the edge of my seat and we'd have commercial break discussions on who we thought was the killer. I started out watching Columbo. Ohhh...how I love that man's sense of humor and then of course onto Perry Mason. Still lovin' that theme song. Next, we all know 21 Jump Street, The Andy Griffith Show, Matlock and Murder She Wrote. When I got a little older, I watched America's Most Wanted, COPS and Cold Case Files. More modernly, I caught onto, Law and Order, The First 48, CSI, Rookie Blue and Blue Bloods. There are so many cop shows out there now, I can hardly keep up. I know it is the glamour of TV, but I loved watching and figuring out the clues. Now, I love that more women have lead roles as detectives. It is great to see the change over the years and we are not all about The Angels. ;)

So, I have my Father to thank for my interest in the law. He has always been there for me and shown me his love in everything I have accomplished. Even now when I talk about my plans, my education and what I have learned so far, he shows much interest and support for my future. One example is, I discussed the Reid Technique with him and how it is use in interviewing and interrogation of suspects. He makes sure to tell me when he watched a certain show they actually used some of the techniques I taught him. This brightens my day. I can't wait to have him watch me walk on graduation day as a constable. Thanks Dad! xo

-----buzzing off

P.S. Just thought I would add that the Die Hard Movies are the best cop movies ever made! Woot!

Steps to Becoming RCMP

There is a long list of requirements, forms and qualifications one must have in order to apply for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I will touch base on all these steps including links to simplify, what myself and other recruiters will have to follow.

Step 1: Basic Qualifications

To apply for a job as a Regular Member of the RCMP, you must meet the following basic requirements:

• Be a Canadian citizen;
• Be of good character;
• Be proficient in English or French;
• Have a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma or equivalent;
• Possess a valid, unrestricted Canadian driver's licence;
• Be at least 19 years of age at the time of engagement (may apply at 18 years of age);
• Meet medical/health standards;
• Be willing to relocate anywhere in Canada;
• Be physically fit.

Step 2: Aptitude Battery (RPAB)

The first test is the RCMP Police Aptitude Test (RPAT). It is a multiple choice test (114 questions), designed to evaluate your aptitude to be a police officer. A pass is 3.2/5.0. If you are unsuccessful, you can re-write the test after a one year waiting period.

The second component of the RPAB is the Six Factor Personality Questionnaire (SFPQ). The SFPQ has 108 statements where you are asked to agree or disagree. The questionnaire measures an applicants' conscientiousness, a concept not measured by the RPAT.

Link to Practice test: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/documents/rpab-btatpg/prep-rpab-btatpg-eng.pdf

Step 3: Initial Rank List (IRL)

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/rec/irl-plc-eng.htm

Step 4: Selection Package

After you are selected you are sent this package and you are to fill it out. There are online forms to look at, but do not fill them out and send them in. Only selected recruiters are to fill them in and send. But do review them and even print them out to get a head start is a good idea to help the process.

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/rec/pack-paquet-eng.htm

The Package Includes:

Regular Member Applicant Questionnaire: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/documents/form/5096-eng.pdf

Personnel Screening: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/documents/form/330-23-eng.pdf

Security Clearance Form: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/documents/form/330-60-eng.pdf 

Suitability Screening: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/documents/form/1980EXT.pdf

Vision Examination Form: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/documents/form/2180EXT.pdf

Friends and Associates Suitability Screening: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/documents/form/3165EXT.pdf

PARE Medical Clearance Form: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/documents/form/3986-eng.pdf

Lots of great tips to get a head start on training.

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/rec/pare-tape-eng.htm

Step 5: Regular Member Selection Interview (RMSI)

The goal of the Regular Member Selection Interview (RMSI) is to determine if you have the essential organizational competencies for successful performance as an RCMP police officer.

The RMSI contains behavioural and situational questions. Applicants from diverse backgrounds will be able to relate to the questions and describe pertinent experiences and be able to demonstrate how they would perform in a situation they may not have actually experienced.

Link to Prep Guide:http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/documents/rpab-btatpg/prep-interview-entrevue-eng.pdf

Step 6: Post Interview Ranked List (PIRL)

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/rec/pirl-lcae-eng.htm 

Step 7: Pre-Employment Polygraph

This is based on your Applicant Questionnaire in Step 4.

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/rec/poly-eng.htm

Step 8: Field Investigation and Security Clearance

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/rec/investigation-enquete-eng.htm

Step 9: Health Assessment

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/rec/health-sante-eng.htm

Step 10: Prerequistes and Enrollment

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/rec/enrol-eng.htm

Step 11: Cadet Training

Link: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/recruiting-recrutement/rec/training-ecole-eng.htm


The fitness program requires cadets to arrive at the Training Academy in good shape and able to meet the following standards:

• 2.43 kilometre run (1.5 miles) in 10:45 minutes (men) and 12:00 minutes (women);
• 4.86 kilometre run (3.0 miles) in 22:00 minutes (men) and 24:00 minutes (women);
• 8.1 kilometre run (5.0 miles) in 40:00 to 45:00 minutes;
• 25 pushups minimum; and
• Pull ups 6 (men) and 3 (women). 

I hope this puts things into perspective. Once I apply I will keep everyone posted on the steps I went through and some helpful hints to make the process easier. Good Luck!

-----buzzing off

Reason for Change

Well I hope so far I have given people some help in discovering their strengths and working towards a new passion. Today I'll discuss why I am switching careers. I feel that nobody should stay in a career that bores them, angers them, 'only pays the bills' or limits them. I think everyone has a right to do what makes them happy and to put themselves first. I understand when someone has a family and it is a little difficult to make drastic changes, but it can be done.

I have had mixed opinions about this change from some profs, friends and family. I understand that people are just giving me their opinions, but they are the wrong ones for me. I know me best and I know I deserve what I work for. In the past, when I have wanted something, I would work my tail off to get it. Then I would realize there is something better and move onto it. I have been in the science field for over 10 years. I have met some amazing people. People who have supported me to where I am now. Thank you for that! But I found that this is not my calling. It is my interest, not my passion and career. I have been helping animals through, aquaculture, education and now research. It has been quite a journey and I have learned a lot, but what I have learned the most is to use my personality and skills to start helping people.

I have always heard, that I give great advice, go out of my way and that I am a great listener. So why haven't I used those skills of who I am and put it towards my career? So I am starting this journey on to becoming a police officer. I have never been so excited before going through this transition. Not even when I moved away from home to another province, not even seeing a whale swim by my boat, not even when I was offered a great job at a top university. This is what I was born to do. Help others.

Funny enough when I was deciding my future 10 years ago it was between, fish or cop. I guess it just took me a long time and money to figure out I should have picked the latter. I am so thankful for where I am today and like I said before, I couldn't have gotten here without the help of my family, friends and colleagues. So this blog will help me push through by keeping a  journal of the steps towards a new life and also to keep you updated on the changes.

Just keep in mind it is OK to make changes. Change is good. I think everyone should try something different, something they never would have picked and see what happens. Maybe you'll stumble upon something you never knew you had a deep passion for.

-----buzzing off

Giving Back

One thing I have really enjoyed doing and started last year, was giving back to the community and volunteering my time to people that need help. I suppose that is all about being an officer. I have found, not only is giving my time rewarding, but I am making a difference. We all know our world is not perfect and nor is it ever going to be, but I do think it can get better and stronger if we learned to accept people more and to become open minded.

I am a strong believer in rehabilitation. I think if there were more programs set in place for offenders to teach them not to re-offend we would have safer communities, less tax dollars spent on the court, less crowded jails and a feeling of knowing that not all offenders are bad people. Currently, I am tutoring inmates at our local prison, and boy what an eye opener. Most of the male population within the jail are re-offenders, with little or no education. So what does that tell us? Were they misunderstood as a child? Did teachers give up on them? Bad parenting? Labeled as a criminal? All these factors psychologically play into why they offended in the first place. Well why not stop that? Change it, and start to show them that they are not misunderstood, labeled or dumb.

One inmate I worked with was unfortunately under one of those categories. I was there to help him get his high school education and to make a positive change to his life. Don't get me wrong, not every visit is a picnic. It is an unknown and intimidating environment. Walking into a male prison and I being a female can be nerve racking, but after my visits I was always thanked for my time and I got to see progress. He is now finishing up high school and aiming to go onto college for a heavy equipment mechanic diploma.

This organization that I am with is a pilot project and we are always looking for new learners within the prison. The program can always be shut down if we don't get the interest, however we have been successful within the last two years and we will hopefully go on. The prison also offers programs for the guys to work on woodworking projects and bike projects. They don't just sit in their cells or fight in the yard, they work and they all have to. Close people to me thought I was nuts for volunteering for this organization, one person said, "you are crazy for 'wasting' your time on these type of people". These people. There's that label again. All I know is that, yes, there are some people that do deserve to be behind bars, but then there are others that just need a little help. If I can make a difference in their lives and prevent them from re-offending and it's making your community safe, then I am happy and will continue to give my time for them. Maybe look within your community and find something that allows you to give back and make a difference to someone's life.


------buzzing off


Hint #3 As discussed, volunteering your time is a rewarding experience, but it is also a basic must for your application process. The police departments need to see you are a giving and compassionate person that will give up your time for others. That is essentially the job of being a cop. Risking your life for others and helping communities. Most cops still continue to volunteer even while on the force. You are representing Canada, the city, town, or community. So show them how much of an asset your are for their department, by getting your face and time out there. Go and see what volunteer programs are available to you and get started. A good place to start is your local police department :)

Exercise...PHEW!

Fitness and nutrition is such an important part of our lifestyle. For some people, it is their professional life! Some people are personal trainers, body builders, Olympians, or professional athletes. I have always admired these people. Someone who does fitness for a living. How lucky! I have admired their goals, determination and successes. How did they do it? How long did it take them? and am I capable? I believe everyone is capable of anything they want as long as they stick with it. As Lance Armstrong would said, "Pain is temporary, but quitting lasts forever." Now that man is a prime example of the word, determined!

When changing your overall health, it takes time and a lot of patience. Everyday, for some people, it is just a battle to walk up a set of stairs. For some, it is a breeze and they tack on a double workout and run home. Why is it so darn easy for some and not for others? Well one example would have to be, my childhood. I grew up with a Father who for a living delivered ice cream, then candy, then onto snack cakes. Can you imagine what that was like for a fairly overweight, sweet toothed child?! It was GREAT! haha...Well not so great when you get older. My parents provided well balanced meals, but I couldn't shake a sweet and salty tooth. In the end, it caused my metabolism to slow down, early signs of health problems and I became another North American statistic, weighing in at 255lbs at 5' 11". This was probably one of the hardest times in my life. How was I to become a healthy person again? I didn't even think the word healthy, let alone work on it.  However through some drastic changes to my life, determination and having some inspiration that I am capable, I did it.


I lost over 80lbs within one and a half years. Since that time I have gained a bit back approx 20lbs, but I am more active then ever and I am becoming stronger and over all, fitter. Getting that weight off, was all about cardio and nutrition. Then the resistance training came after. Presently, I am working out six days a week, sometimes twice a day. I do cardiovascular training, strength training, bootcamp class, ball hockey and swimming. Everything all in balance of course. Luckily I grew up with a very active sibling and he taught me a lot about weight training and balance at an early age. But I will save that for another entry.

So in the end, my future career aspirations are not allowing me to have that active and healthy lifestyle, they are making me! I will finally have that professional physical career, that I have always admired. I do not want to be that statistic again! I need to be stronger then the next person and not be weak as a police officer. The new me needs to be able to take down the old me. If that is not motivation, I don't know what is?

 -----buzzing off


Hint #2: The RCMP website has lots of information on training for the PARE test and even requirements one should have before arriving to Depot. Check it out and incorporate it to your fitness routine. You will find it will not only enhance your workout, but give you some preparation.