Obtaining the OACP Certificate requires completing a structured three-part process through the official OACP Certificate website. Candidates should begin by ensuring they meet the basic eligibility requirements: at least 18 years of age, Canadian citizen or permanent resident, valid Ontario driver's license with no more than six demerit points, and secondary school diploma or equivalent.
The Three-Part Certification Process
Part A begins the process with document submission. Candidates receive emails containing required forms and must complete medical examinations with an audiologist and optometrist/ophthalmologist to verify they meet minimum hearing and vision standards for police work. Additionally, candidates complete a fitness log documenting their physical activity and dedication to wellness.
After Part A approval, candidates proceed to Part B, the Sigma Survey for Police Officers (SSPO). This 74-question assessment must be completed in 35 minutes and tests spelling, vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and police problem-solving. As of January 2025, this test is proctored through eProctor Canada in a scheduled live-online session.
Part C is the Employment Screening Questionnaire (ESQ2), a 30-question personality assessment with no time limit, typically taking 30-50 minutes to complete. Upon successful completion of all three parts, candidates receive their OACP Certificate, valid for one year.
Cost and Testing Restrictions
The total cost is $250 CAD plus tax. Candidates can only attempt the tests once per year and must wait 10 months before retesting. Some police services now reimburse the certificate cost upon successful completion of the recruitment process and Ontario Police College training.
