Vancouver Police Department: The Application Process
A real, sourced, agency-specific preparation guide — the Vancouver Police Department's own published recruiting sequence.
This guide organizes publicly available Vancouver Police Department recruiting information for preparation purposes. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with the Vancouver Police Department. Requirements and steps can change — always confirm current details directly with VPD. Last verified 2026-10-10.
Vancouver Police Department lists 11 stages in its recruiting process, from Information Session to Final Review & Decision as it lists them. Stages and order can change, so confirm the current process with the agency.
This walks through Vancouver Police Department’s recruiting sequence one stage at a time: what each stage actually involves, what varies by agency, and what you can reasonably do to prepare before you get there. Every stage links back to the specific source it’s drawn from.
The VPD ETHOS exam: what VPD says
VPD’s recruiting page describes the written exam as a “three-hour entrance exam” that “sits on Saturdays,” with “a passing mark of 60%” for police officer applicants. You are tested on “grammar, spelling, composition, comprehension, and mathematics at a Grade 12 level,” and the exam “also includes a section on memory and short essay responses.” It is handwritten, with no spell check or calculators.
VPD’s FAQ says it will consider written exam scores from other Lower Mainland police departments if you include a written request and confirmation of your score. The same FAQ says VPD does not accept POPAT scores from other police departments. The pages we read (VPD process page stamped 2026-08-07, FAQ read 2026-10-12) do not state how long a score stays valid, where the exam is written, a retake wait or an attempt limit, so ask VPD directly rather than relying on third-party summaries.
VPD’s current page also says errors in spelling and grammar result in marks deducted, and links a sample test. That sample is titled “2006 VPD Intake Exam” and states a 105-mark split (20 / 30 / 15 / 40) with a 60% pass mark; VPD’s current page states the pass mark but no mark breakdown, so treat the sample as historical and illustrative. Other agencies publish different splits (100 or 110 marks), covered in our ETHOS exam guide. VPD’s separate learning-resources page lists writing courses and grammar handbooks.
Source: Recruiting Process for Police Officers; Recruiting Frequently Asked Questions; Ethos Police Exam Learning Resources
The steps, as Vancouver Police Department lists them
Stage 01
Information Session
An in-person information session with VPD recruiters, which VPD says is highly recommended before you apply.
Varies by agency: Some agencies require attendance before accepting an application; others publish the same information online only. Confirm the current requirement with your target agency.
What you can do now
- Research VPD beforehand so your questions go beyond what's already published
- Confirm the minimum eligibility requirements apply to you before investing further time
- Bring genuine questions about the role, not just the process
Stage 02
Application Submission
Completing and submitting your application package and an integrity and lifestyle questionnaire.
Varies by agency: Exact required documents and questionnaire content vary by agency — confirm the current list directly with VPD.
What you can do now
- Start gathering documents with expiry windows (first aid certification, driving abstract) well before you plan to apply
- Draft your integrity and lifestyle questionnaire answers deliberately, not the night before
- Confirm your driver's licence and driving record meet VPD's stated standard
Stage 03
Entrance Exam
A three-hour, handwritten entrance exam held on Saturdays. Per VPD's own page, it tests "grammar, spelling, composition, comprehension, and mathematics at a Grade 12 level" plus memory and short essay responses, with no spell check or calculators. A passing mark of 60% is required.
Varies by agency: Several B.C. agencies use a written exam of about three hours, but each publishes its own pass mark, marks total and retest rules — the pass threshold and transfer rules can still change. Confirm current details with VPD.
What you can do now
- Train writing & editing deliberately — it historically carries significant weight in this exam family
- Practice under realistic time pressure, not just untimed reading
- Run a full timed pass before exam day, not just isolated drills
Stage 04
Physical Testing (POPAT)
The Police Officer Physical Abilities Test. Per VPD's own page, "a successful time for the POPAT is 00:04:15 and under."
Varies by agency: Surrey, VPD, Abbotsford and Transit Police each state a 4:15 time on their own pages; the RCMP uses a different physical test (the PFA) with different components. Confirm the exact standard for your target agency.
What you can do now
- Train the specific circuit, not just general fitness
- Practice at race pace, not only building base fitness
- Build volume and intensity progressively over weeks, not in a final crash effort
Stage 05
First Interview
An interview with two Recruiting detectives. Per VPD's own page, this assesses "integrity, problem-solving abilities, respect for diversity, community service orientation, self-initiative, and acceptance of responsibility."
Varies by agency: Interview structure, terminology, and number of rounds vary by agency.
What you can do now
- Prepare real examples from your own experience for each named competency
- Practice structured responses, not memorized scripts
- Know your own application answers cold
Stage 06
Psychological Assessment
A written psychological assessment plus a one-on-one interview with a registered psychologist.
Varies by agency: The specific instruments used vary by agency and psychologist.
What you can do now
- Answer honestly and consistently — this is not a stage with a technique to learn
- Get adequate rest beforehand rather than arriving depleted from other stages
Stage 07
Polygraph Exam
A polygraph examination, conducted after the psychological assessment.
Varies by agency: Not every agency uses a polygraph — confirm whether your target agency does.
What you can do now
- Review what you've disclosed at every earlier stage so it stays consistent
Stage 08
Second Interview
An interview with a Recruiting sergeant, reviewing your file and requiring a personal autobiography plus a list of both employment and character references.
Varies by agency: Not every agency includes a distinct second interview at this point in the sequence.
What you can do now
- Prepare a thorough, honest personal autobiography ahead of time
- Confirm your listed references' current contact information
Stage 09
Background Investigation
A thorough background investigation by a detective, including interviews with family, long-time friends, present and past employers and colleagues, neighbours, and landlords.
Varies by agency: Scope and depth vary by agency; the general principle — accuracy and consistency — does not.
What you can do now
- Give your listed references a heads-up so they aren't caught off guard
- Be honest with your references — a surprised reference is a worse outcome than an honest one
- Review that your disclosures are accurate and consistent across every form and conversation
Stage 10
Medical Examination
An examination by a physician assessing hearing and fitness — per VPD's own page, this includes push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, and flexibility. VPD pays the cost of the medical exam.
Varies by agency: Exact components and contracted providers vary by agency.
What you can do now
- Maintain general health over months, not a crash effort in the final week
- Schedule required appointments with time to spare
Stage 11
Final Review & Decision
Senior review of the complete file, followed by a formal offer or letter of intent if successful, with training academy details.
Varies by agency: VPD's own published sequence doesn't itemize this as a separate numbered step, but every recruiting process concludes with a decision and, if successful, an offer — academy timing, relocation expectations, and training length vary by agency. Confirm specifics directly with VPD once you reach this stage.
What you can do now
- Confirm there's nothing outstanding from any earlier stage
- Understand the training academy commitment before accepting an offer
Related guides
Each B.C. department sets its own rules for ETHOS results and POPAT results from other agencies. See how ETHOS scores transfer between B.C. departments and how the ETHOS exam is structured and marked. For minimum age, education and licence rules, see the basic requirements comparison.
Other B.C. agency guides
Sources
- Vancouver Police Department — Recruiting Process for Police Officers (checked 2026-10-12)
- Vancouver Police Department — Become a Vancouver Police Officer (checked 2026-09-04)
- Vancouver Police Department — Recruiting Frequently Asked Questions (checked 2026-10-12)
- Vancouver Police Department — Ethos Police Exam Learning Resources (checked 2026-09-29)
ETHOS Prep is an independent preparation platform. This guide organizes Vancouver Police Department’s own published recruiting information; it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in partnership with Vancouver Police Department. Requirements change, so confirm current details directly with the agency before acting on anything here.