EDMONTON - RCMP in Western Canada are planning to fast-track recruiting and make it easier for new officers to serve in their home province in a bid to help the force meet its recruiting goals.
The Mounties are having a tough time signing up people because of the hot economy in the region and the long application process, which usually takes up to 10 months to complete, Cpl. Wayne Oakes said on Wednesday.
Under a new streamlined process, potential recruits will write their exams, security questionnaires and take medical and physical tests within 90 days.
"The goal is to make the whole prospect of considering the RCMP as a career one that perhaps is more attractive than it was in the past," Oakes said.
While the RCMP won't make any guarantees, every effort will be made to post new Mounties to their home provinces if they wish, he said.
In Alberta alone the RCMP needs 500 new officers by March 31, 2009.
Oakes said the RCMP will begin its new fast-track recruiting process in Manitoba later this week.
Last fall the RCMP said it expected to graduate only 1,700 of the 2,000 officers it needs this year to replace retiring baby boomers and to meet the national demand for more Mounties.
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Article online since April 30th 2008, 0:00
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