The RCMP requires several distinct types of references: professional references covering the last five years, character references who have known you for at least two to five years (no family or current partners), and five friends or associates you socialize with regularly. Investigators ask for specific behavioral examples tied to the RCMP’s eight core competencies.
RCMP character references are not a formality. Investigators conduct detailed interviews with each reference and cross-check what they say against your Regular Member Applicant Questionnaire (RMAQ). Choosing the right people, and knowing what investigators will ask, significantly affects how this stage unfolds.
The Four Types of RCMP Character References
The RCMP uses four distinct reference categories. Each fills a specific role in building what investigators describe as a “360-degree” picture of your character.
Professional References are individuals who have directly observed you in a work or educational setting: supervisors, managers, professors, coaches. The RCMP prioritizes recent professional references covering the last five years. These are the references with the most weight, because they verify your reliability and conduct in a structured environment.
Character References must have known you personally for a minimum of two to five years. Current relatives and romantic partners are strictly excluded. The RCMP describes this as protecting against the “natural bias of affection.” Former spouses or common-law partners may serve as character references if the relationship has ended and they can provide an objective assessment.
Friends and Associates (Form RCMP 3165e) requires you to list five of your closest associates. These must be friends you socialize with regularly, not simply workplace acquaintances. Each must have known you for at least three years. One strict rule applies: none of the five can be related to each other, and none can be related to you. This anti-collusion rule prevents applicants from submitting a group of friends who might coordinate their responses.
Neighborhood Inquiries are not submitted by you. Investigators contact neighbors and community members without notice to gather unfiltered observations about your day-to-day conduct and social stability. You have no control over who is contacted or what they say.
Who Makes the Strongest RCMP Character Reference
The RCMP character references that carry the most credibility come from people the RCMP describes as having “vouched credibility.” Lawyers, medical doctors, engineers, and current or retired police officers fall into this category. These individuals bring professional standing that makes their assessments harder to dismiss.
A strong reference pool covers multiple perspectives: a supervisor, a community leader or academic mentor, a long-term personal acquaintance, and friends from different areas of your life. References who can only describe you from a single context (all from one workplace, all from the same social circle) give investigators a narrower picture.
One specific risk the RCMP targets is what documents describe as “professional masking”: performing well in observed environments while engaging in problematic behavior privately. The Friends and Associates check and unannounced neighborhood inquiries are specifically designed to surface this pattern.
To understand how this reference check fits into the full application process, the RCMP application guide lays out each stage and what to expect.
What Investigators Ask Your RCMP Character References
The reference interview moves through three stages: verification, behavioral probing, and validation.
Verification establishes how well the reference actually knows you: how long they have known you, in what context, and how often you interact. References who know you only casually provide limited value.
Behavioral probing is where the interview gets specific. Investigators ask for concrete examples tied to the RCMP’s eight core competencies: Developing Self, Flexibility, Problem Solving, Conscientiousness and Reliability, Meeting Client Needs, Communication, Teamwork, and Self Control and Composure. Vague answers are followed up with requests for a specific situation and outcome.
RMAQ validation asks references questions designed to verify or contradict your self-disclosures. Investigators probe for information about drug use, financial integrity, honesty, and behavior when unsupervised. If your reference’s account conflicts with what you wrote on your RMAQ, investigators note the discrepancy.
Interviews typically close with what investigators call the “hireability question”: “If you had the opportunity, would you hire this person? Why or why not?” Hesitation at this point signals the need for further probing.
References are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when describing behavioral examples. This structured format helps investigators document your competencies clearly and helps your references give consistent, detailed answers rather than general impressions.
Key Rules and Protections
A few policy points are worth knowing before you choose your references.
References are told that candidates can legally request access to all information gathered during the reference check under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP). Absolute confidentiality is not guaranteed. Investigators must also refuse to accept “off the record” information from references.
If a reference provides adverse, unverifiable, or incomplete information, the RCMP may initiate a “Resolution of Doubt” process. You receive a summary of the adverse information and an opportunity to clarify or explain before a final decision is made.
Your completed RMAQ, once submitted, is classified at the “Protected B” security level. Any discrepancy between your RMAQ and what your references say receives serious scrutiny. The RCMP background check process is closely linked to the reference stage, as investigators compare both sources throughout. You can read about what the RCMP background check investigates to understand how these stages connect.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a family member be an RCMP character reference?
- No. Current relatives are excluded from the character reference category to prevent bias in the assessment.
- How many RCMP character references are required?
- You need professional references, personal character references, and five friends or associates on Form RCMP 3165e.
- Can a former spouse be a character reference for the RCMP?
- Yes, if the relationship has ended and they can provide an objective assessment of your character.
- What happens if a reference says something negative about me?
- Investigators may initiate a Resolution of Doubt process, giving you a chance to respond before a final decision.
This article reflects current RCMP policy based on official government documentation. Eligibility and suitability decisions are assessed on a case-by-case basis during the application process.
Sources
RCMP — Submit Required Forms and Documents
Government of Canada — Security Screening
