Here's my experience,
Did the PAL/RPAL course in late September 2013. I checked the box about a personal relationship breaking down within the last while, but didn't fill in my ex's info because we had not been living together in the last 2 years because she was away at university in another province. Sent in the application by registered mail and it was entered into the system on Oct2
Didn't hear anything and in mid November I was getting kind of curious.
Phoned 1-800-731-4000 and asked what was going on and they said it was time for the interviews, so I did my interview on the phone and got my application number.
Then I got my references to call back at 1-800-731-4000 ex. 2533 and do their interviews.
They asked my references all the usual questions and about how I was handling the end of my previous relationship. My references answered honestly and that I was doing great, happy in a new relationship, etc. etc.
Then I phoned back and they said my application was now on the desk of the BC CFO and they would do the final approval of the licence.
I checked online for about a week and my buddy, who applied at the same time as me was approved instantly, but I kept seeing "Still processing" online. Which, by the way, you need to go to a different old website to see your application status online right now because the new one is busted. I used this website:
https://secure.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/eCFISIWS/editLicenceQueryAuthentication.do
So I looked and found the BC CFO's number 1-800-731-4000 ex. 9530 and called them myself. I just asked if they had received all my info from back east and they said that because I checked that box about my previous relationship ending it needed further review. So, the lady on the phone confirmed that I hadn't lived with her for 3 years and then approved me on the spot and said I would get my licence in the mail in less than 2 weeks. Checked online again and now it says my licence has been issued.
So, the moral of the story is that you should call and be proactive about your application if you want to speed it up and especially if you have checked any of the boxes about your personal history issues. If I were to tell someone who is about to start the process, call them after a few weeks and begin the process of interviews and answering the CFO's questions. By calling and being polite you get to the front of the queue it worked well for me.