The ECI is a behavioural type interview, i.e., it is designed to explore the actual behaviours demonstrated by the candidate in various situations. Candidates are asked to describe their thoughts, feeling and actions. Candidates choose the situations or experiences, which best respond to the questions. These situations must be relevant – work related, school related or community related – so as not to bring up personal information, which may lead to bias under the Ontario Human Rights Code (for example, issues related to such prohibited grounds for discrimination as marital status, sexual orientation, citizenry, etc., must be avoided).

The interview is built around the following essential competencies:
· Analytical Thinking
· Self-Confidence
· Communication
· Flexibility/Valuing Diversity
· Self-Control
· Relationship Building
· Achievement Orientation
· Medical/Physical Skills and Abilities

The candidate is interviewed by a panel consisting of at least two persons. The interview usually takes 2 to 2 ½ hours to complete.

If you are successful in the ECI, those results can be used with other services for a period of 1 year; however, the individual police service always has the discretion to have the applicant do the interview again with their service.

Candidates who are unsuccessful in the ECI, will be permitted a second such interview only after a waiting period of 3 months from the date of the first interview, and after a 6-month period each attempt thereafter. If another service phones you for an interview during your 3-month wait, you will be obligated to tell them the result of your previous interview. At that point, the service has the discretion to either make you wait the three months, or conduct a different type of interview for you.

Please be aware that upon completion of the ECI, the police service conducting the interview will indicate on the back of your original O.A.C.P. Certificate of Results, the date, police service, and contact person for the ECI, as well as the result of the interview.