Engineering Degree to RCMP Applicant (or others)

[EngineerMaybe]

Hello All

I am studying at a Canadian University to become a Chemical Engineer. I will be graduating in May 2016 and to be quite frank, I cannot see myself doing engineering work post graduation.

I have 8 months experience in a lab, 12 months as a project manager for an oil company and 8 months as a in-field engineering assistant for the same company. These were all internships.

My question is, would my application score higher because of my engineering education?
Could this degree help me propel far in my potential future Police career? Will it help me specialize in anything.
I am a Toronto Resident and am confused as to join the Toronto Police Force, OPP or the RCMP. (I would love to live in Calgary)
Would my minority/Muslim status give me an edge. (I do not believe affirmative action is fair, but I'll use it if I can )

I have been athletic all my life and I really do not believe the physical requirements would bother me.
I have a full G license with a spotless drivers abstract and have been driving for 6 years. (1 Parking ticket 3 years ago if it counts).
I have no criminal record.
I do not even drink or smoke.
I do crazy things like skydiving, ice climbing, cave exploring etc.
My eyesight is slightly lower than average. ( I can drive just fine without glasses at all times of the day)
My hearing is significantly higher than average.
I am 6 foot 1 if that even matters.

Please be brutally honest.

Regards,

EngineerMaybe

[Pete Broccolo]

Short answer: no. Prepare for a long wait...or nOT.

[Proteus]

Please be brutally honest.

First off, I'm not a police officer so do as you wish with my words of advice. But if you had taken even 5 minutes to browse the forums before posting this thread you would have found the answer to your question. Moreover, I feel confident in my assumption that candidates are expected to demonstrate a certain aptitude for investigative abilities. I'm sure they don't expect applicants to be experienced detectives - or anywhere close - but I'm sure they'd expect that someone with a university degree in engineering could figure out a search option.

Hazing aside, this forum is a fantastic resource for information about all stages of recruitment and different areas of law enforcement; it's been around for a while now too so use that to your advantage. You should also start thinking about where you would like to work as a police officer and then thoroughly research that region and its police department - the majority of police departments' websites have all the information you would ever need for your application/interview process.

Since it seems like you've just begun consideration to law enforcement I recommend that you find a "civilian" job for now as it may take you several years to find a job offer in policing. It's a long road even for those familiar with each step of the process. Good luck.

[EngineerMaybe]

Please be brutally honest.

First off, I'm not a police officer so do as you wish with my words of advice. But if you had taken even 5 minutes to browse the forums before posting this thread you would have found the answer to your question. Moreover, I feel confident in my assumption that candidates are expected to demonstrate a certain aptitude for investigative abilities. I'm sure they don't expect applicants to be experienced detectives - or anywhere close - but I'm sure they'd expect that someone with a university degree in engineering could figure out a search option.

Hazing aside, this forum is a fantastic resource for information about all stages of recruitment and different areas of law enforcement; it's been around for a while now too so use that to your advantage. You should also start thinking about where you would like to work as a police officer and then thoroughly research that region and its police department - the majority of police departments' websites have all the information you would ever need for your application/interview process.

Since it seems like you've just begun consideration to law enforcement I recommend that you find a "civilian" job for now as it may take you several years to find a job offer in policing. It's a long road even for those familiar with each step of the process. Good luck.

I did use the search tool and the threads found date back to 6 years ago. They are also not very helpful.
I was hoping for information that had occurred more recently from fortunate applicants with an engineering degree.

"Hazing aside", I will continue to keep my options open and will continue to look for a "civilian job".

I cannot help but sense "snobiness"/passive-aggression in your text and I do not welcome it.
I find it odd that it is coming from a user who is not even an officer.

[Proteus]

Sorry - I really didn't mean to offend you. I was just giving you brutal honesty as you asked for. I also didn't say to look for a civilian job to insinuate that you shouldn't seek a career in policing. I merely meant exactly what I said - that it takes many people a very long time to get a job offer, especially from day 1 of becoming interested in the idea or while still being in school (like in your situation).

Again, best of luck.

[MasterPlanMan]

If you would love to live in Calgary, apply to CPS. Wanting to move to Calgary and applying to the RCMP doesn't really make much sense seeing as you are signing up to go wherever is needed.

[Pete Broccolo]

If you were offended by Proteus, you are REALLY going to have a tough time in these threads...let alone if you get into ANY Law Enforcement or Police Service.
If you like Calgary, try for Calgary PS, but don't bother applying to the RCMP with the hope of ending up there.
However, try harder to mine these threads for info.

[allbrancereal]

Hey man. I had similar beliefs when I was applying. I have a specialized degree, I'm a minority, I don't drink or smoke. I'll have no issues.

Boy was I in for a rude awakening. Though the journey has been fantastic and I held some coveted positions before becoming a police officer, none of those things you mentioned helped me. It was life experience, volunteering, and perseverance. That's what helped.

Apply. But don't put all your eggs in one basket. And don't expect a red carpet to be rolled out in the parking lot for you from your car to the office.

[EngineerMaybe]

Hey man. I had similar beliefs when I was applying. I have a specialized degree, I'm a minority, I don't drink or smoke. I'll have no issues.

Boy was I in for a rude awakening. Though the journey has been fantastic and I held some coveted positions before becoming a police officer, none of those things you mentioned helped me. It was life experience, volunteering, and perseverance. That's what helped.

Apply. But don't put all your eggs in one basket. And don't expect a red carpet to be rolled out in the parking lot for you from your car to the office.

Thank-you.
This was the post I was waiting to hear from.

I will not make the mistake of putting my eggs in one basket. Thanks for the advice.
I will aggressively apply to both regular engineering jobs in addition to Law Enforcement.
I do not have much volunteering, as I spend most of my time studying. I'll have to figure something out.

Again, I appreciate the advice.

[GPZ]

Here's some brutal honesty as you requested:

Maybe do some research into what police officers actually do, then ask yourself just how valuable a background in chemical engineering would be.

And stating that "I do not think affirmative action is fair", while hoping that you'll have an edge because of your "minority/Muslim status" makes you a hypocrite. Think about that.

But 6'1" sounds just right. And your super-human hearing will be a real bonus.

[frontovika]

You asked for brutal honesty, OP, and that's what you got from Proteus and Pete, who have been quite helpful in their responses.

Frankly speaking, you should not be so snide with your attitude and be more gracious instead. Also, I doubt recruiters will be impressed with you flaunting your degree and "credibility". I've heard of professionals getting deferred or terminated from the process, so you should't put so much stock in your engineering discipline.

You should do more soul searching to see if law enforcement would be a suitable career choice for you.

Good luck with whatever you do.

[EngineerMaybe]

Here's some brutal honesty as you requested:

Maybe do some research into what police officers actually do, then ask yourself just how valuable a background in chemical engineering would be.

I have and have seen that an individual who has an engineering degree can become a specialist/technician in the "Firearms" department as seen in the following link at the RCMP: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/fsis-ssji/car ... ni-eng.htm

I am not sure why you believe that I have not researched anything prior to this post. The point of the post was to hear from fortunate candidates with similar backgrounds to share their experience recently.

And stating that "I do not think affirmative action is fair", while hoping that you'll have an edge because of your "minority/Muslim status" makes you a hypocrite. Think about that.

No it does not because regardless if I hope it will give me an edge or not, it will take into effect because of its existence. No where in my original post did "I wish for it to give me an edge". I simply wanted to get a better understanding to calculate my odds. Only a few members addressed this.

But 6'1" sounds just right. And your super-human hearing will be a real bonus.

I mentioned these traits above to see if it will also give me an edge and if someone could explain that based off their experience. If you feel that I come off as someone who believes I am superior to others, that is of your own fault.

[EngineerMaybe]

You asked for brutal honesty, OP, and that's what you got from Proteus and Pete, who have been quite helpful in their responses.

Proteus's first paragraph in his first reply was simply not needed. I appreciate all else.

Frankly speaking, you should not be so snide with your attitude and be more gracious instead. Also, I doubt recruiters will be impressed with you flaunting your degree and "credibility".

I came to these forums to ask if these achievements could possibly give me an edge. No where in my original post did I say that I was superior than others. This assumption only exists in your own mind.

I've heard of professionals getting deferred or terminated from the process, so you should't put so much stock in your engineering discipline.

Again, I simply came here to calculate my odds of becoming a Police Officer and to keep my options open. I did not proclaim my engineering degree to demand your obedience, rather I came to ask fortunate police officers with similar backgrounds to share their experience.

You should do more soul searching to see if law enforcement would be a suitable career choice for you.

This is advice worth reading. Soul searching is a life-long activity.

I personally do feel like I would make a difference and I would disallow my (potential) power from getting to my head and will not allow my ego (as a future police officer) to overcome me and make assumptions of others. (If I make it).

[EngineerMaybe]

If you were offended by Proteus, you are REALLY going to have a tough time in these threads...let alone if you get into ANY Law Enforcement or Police Service.
If you like Calgary, try for Calgary PS, but don't bother applying to the RCMP with the hope of ending up there.
However, try harder to mine these threads for info.

It is not an argument about being offended, rather it is about standing up for myself.

I will consider the Calgary Police Force. Thanks for the advice.

How much of a disadvantage would it be to be considered as I am currently a resident of Toronto.

I am willing to relocate if I am selected.

[rntacp]

No one here really knows the answers to your questions. All you can do is apply and see what happens...

In my opinion what you think to be a "leg up" in fact is anything but. Apply and you'll soon realize that.