The RCMP is introducing a new recruitment program that will allow certain fresh hires to bypass the usual training at the Regina Depot and skip detachment service, enabling them to go straight into federal police work in Ottawa. The Federal Policing Recruit Development Program (FPRDP) has been designed to facilitate direct entry into Federal Policing for new recruits, according to Mark Flynn, the deputy commissioner of federal policing for the RCMP. The training for this program is based on the Cadet Training Program (CTP) provided at the RCMP Training Academy, but it has been modified to meet the specific requirements of Federal Policing and will include additional training tailored to the field of work.
The FPRDP is a collaborative effort developed with input from various business lines across Canada, with a focus on prioritizing the health and safety of officers and the public. Mr. Flynn states that attracting more qualified candidates will help alleviate the pressures faced by the RCMP. The program will hire successful applicants as constables, and they will undergo 12 weeks of core police training, followed by two weeks of Immediate Action Deployment and carbine training, which focuses on firearms handling. The training will take place in Ottawa and is expected to commence in 2024.
According to an internal memo, the RCMP is allowing new recruits who aspire to work in federal policing, including areas such as counterterrorism, foreign interference, and other high-priority targets, to apply directly to the federal policing program. This program also covers protective services, which involve enhancing security and protection for federal ministers and government officials. By bypassing service in a detachment, which tend to be remote and have low appeal to applicants, the RCMP aims to remove barriers and better accommodate individuals interested in specializing.
Mr. Flynn emphasizes the need for more officers to address the rising crime rates. He states that removing recruitment and retention barriers is crucial and that providing training options in the city where the work is located and where people want to live is important. While he acknowledges that it is impossible to investigate every crime and criminal, he highlights the importance of targeting the highest threat based on prioritized lists of priority targets.