Start Your
Policing Career
With the Help of the
OACP

The Ontario Association Chiefs of Police (OACP) is here to help you take your first step toward becoming a police officer in Ontario

Check Out Our Introductory Video To The OACP Certificate Process!

See Other Helpful Videos!

Did you find this video helpful? We have a page dedicated to other videos just like this! Please click the button below to be re-directed to the webpage which provides useful tips and walkthroughs on the different components of the OACP Certificate Process.

Update Bulletin

See here for all recent and upcoming updates regarding the OACP Certificate and Police Recruitment Process in Ontario

New Part C Examination

March 27th, 2024

    • As of June 1st, 2024, the OACP will be replacing the Part C (ESQ2) examination with a new assessment specifically built for Ontario’s police services. The new examination is called the Personality Research Form – Revised for Policing (PRF-R for Policing), and it measures personality traits that are most relevant to policing. The purpose of the assessment is not to be a pass or fail exam; rather, it is an effective tool for police recruiters to support the interview and background process of candidate profiles. More information will be released in the near future. Please ensure you thoroughly read your Part A email, as you will be informed if you will be completing the PRF-R for Policing assessment. A study guide providing more information will be found in the Part B/C email.

New Medical Examination Package

July 4th, 2023

    • The OACP has updated the Hearing and Vision medical assessment package known as the "Medical Examination Package 2023". All previous versions of this document are still valid however we do request for applicants and healthcare providers to use our new and current package which can be found on our Forms page.

Educational Requirement

May 1st, 2023

    • A recent decision rendered by the Provincial Government has confirmed that section 83 subsection (f) (which was a proposed educational requirement) of the Comprehensive Police Services Act will no longer be a mandatory requirement for individuals to meet in order to become a police officer. This means applicants will not be required to possess a college diploma or a university degree (or prescribed equivalent). Additionally, the provincial government has also waived the required training fee to attend the Ontario Police College.

OACP Certificate Processing Times

Please be advised that the OACP Certificate Process is a versatile online platform that operates based on your individual timing to complete the required steps. Depending on when you wish to submit your forms and complete your online tests, this will dictate processing times to receive your certificate. Here are the key waiting times you need to be aware of:

  • After paying the Certificate fee, you can expect to receive your Part A & B/C emails within 1 business day.
  • When you submit the required documentation to our Forms team, your exam account will be created and ready within 1 regular day after receiving our receipt of confirmation.
  • After you have completed your online tests and your proctoring footage has been cleared, you can expect to wait between 7 to 15 business days to receive your certificate.

If you have any questions about processing times, please contact us at [email protected] for more information.

The OACP Certificate Process

Obtain your OACP Certificate in five easy steps!

Step 1

Start Your OACP Certificate Process!

You can start by going to the "Become a Police Officer" page and read the requirements outlined throughout the different sections.

Once you feel you are ready to start your journey, continue to the "Start Your Career" Page to start your OACP Certificate process.

Step 2

Part A

Once you have started your OACP Certificate process, please wait 1-2 business days to receive your Part A email. This email will be composed of several documents and a list of instructions outlining what you must do in order to obtain your certificate.

You start your Part A by:

  • Submitting your Applicant Code of Conduct and Consent & Release of Liability form to [email protected]
  • Start your Fitness log & Medical Examination Package (Please note, the fitness log and medical package are to be submitted to the Police Service you wish to apply for once you have received the certificate).

Step 3

Part B

Once you submit your Applicant Code of Conduct and Consent & Release Liability form, you will receive an email from ProctorFree (the online proctoring software service). Here you are to create your ProctorFree password and download the ProctorFree software. Here are the instructions to prepare for Part B:

  • Ensure you have the ProctorFree system requirements
  • Create your ProctorFree Account
  • Start your Mental Ability Assessment

Step 4

Part C

After you have completed the General Mental Ability Assessment, you will be brought directly into the Part C personality assessment. Please note, this assessment is not timed and you will be asked around 300 questions. These questions include a statement which you must agree or disagree with.

Step 5

Congratulations!

Once you have completed your Personality Assessment, you will be emailed your OACP Certificate and you can start applying to Police Services.

About the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP)

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) created this website to deliver entry level testing for Police Officers and Special Constables within the Province of Ontario. As the voice of Ontario’s police leaders, the OACP is comprised of policing leaders and executives in Ontario and represents federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations policing services throughout the province. We have developed a testing system that effectively measures an applicant’s abilities and packaged that information so it may be provided to police services for supplementary use. The OACP is committed to providing fair, equitable, and inclusive testing that is aimed at ensuring that police applicants represent the full range of diversity in Ontario and are afforded every opportunity to pursue a policing career.

Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Constable Selection System (OACP CSS)

The redesigned OACP Constable Selection System has been implemented by the OACP to assist police services across the province to select the most suitable applicants. The diagram below illustrates the process.

Once you have obtained your new OACP Certificate, it will be valid for one year. This certificate can be used in your application process with many of Ontario's police services. Please note, the OACP Certificate is only required for police services participating in this assessment and selection program. This means not all police services require you to possess an OACP Certificate prior to applying for employment. Therefore, prior to completing payment for the assessment package, please ensure you verify the requirement for an OACP Certificate with the police service to which you intend to submit your application.

Wondering About How To Prepare For Our Assessments?

Click the button below to see an in-depth review of the assessments used in our process. This guide also offers study tips to help you prepare.

Considering a Career in Policing?

Policing as a profession is one of the most demanding yet rewarding careers in the world. As a police officer in Ontario, you will be given responsibility for public safety, the protection of property, and the maintenance of societal order. Your duties will include but not be limited to:

  • Preserving the peace
  • Preventing crimes and assisting others in prevention
  • Assisting victims of crime
  • Apprehending and charging offenders and executing warrants
  • Building trust and positive relationships with our communities
  • Commitment to further developing and maintain those relationships with the community

A Police Officer is required to work various shifts that provide 24-hour service, 365 days of the year, including weekends and statutory holidays. Ontario residents and visitors, represent the full spectrum of diverse social identifies. Thus, police officers in our province must not only possess cultural knowledge, but also consistently demonstrate cultural competencies that will allow them to provide fair and equitable community safety. The ability of police officers to serve with distinction, given all the challenges of a dynamic society, is one of the many reasons that Canada is among the best places to live and work in. To find out more, please see our “Become a Police Officer” page.

Special Constable and Other Justice Practitioners

Special Constables and Justice Practitioners working in related justice fields are very important to public safety and community well-being in Ontario. The OACP has partnered with other justice agencies to offer the OACP Certificate to assess suitability of applicants in related justice professions.

Accessibility/Accommodations

The OACP in all its services is committed to full compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Accordingly, we are prepared to provide support and alternatives that address the accessibility and accommodation needs of any police or special constable applicant. Should you require accessibility support or have an accommodation need, please contact us via email at: [email protected]  

OPC class