The RNC is removing a longstanding requirement from its job application process in hopes of recruiting more homegrown cops.

Until now, at least one term of post-secondary schooling was required to apply for the RNC.

But the police force is removing that prerequisite to expand the pool of eligible candidates, noting other experience such as military service or small business should also be considered.

That falls in line with other major police organizations across the country.

The RNC’s Constable James Cadigan believes the RNC was losing good local candidates to other police forces due to the post-secondary requirement, when they could’ve been working at home.

“So there were individuals going into our pool, as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians potentially, who were looking to become police officers without that one term of post-secondary,” says Cadigan. “So it’s about keeping our candidates home, really, and working within our communities.”

The RNC is now recruiting for the class of 2026.

Seventeen recruits are currently training at the Atlantic Police Academy in Prince Edward Island, with another 12 headed there in June.

Thirteen new officers and eight with policing experience joined the RNC in the past year.