The Military Police Complaints Commission was established by an Act of Parliament in December of 1998, as part of a significant effort to modernize and strengthen Canada's military justice system.

During the 1990s, a series of sometimes tragic events had combined to raise a number of serious questions about the administration of justice in the Canadian military. Two Special Advisory Groups and a full Commission of Inquiry were convened in an attempt to address these questions.

Among its other findings, the 1997 report of the Special Advisory Group on Military Justice and Military Police Investigations pointed to the need for a mechanism that would bring greater public accountability to the military justice system. Chaired by the late Brian Dickson, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and a veteran of World War II, the Advisory Group said that:

"If an individual citizen complains to a civilian police force about improper conduct of its personnel, there is an expectation of and a right to a response. The situation should be no different in the military context... An independent review capability is essential to ensure confidence and respect for the military justice system."

This independent review capability is now provided by the Military Police Complaints Commission, which commenced operations on December 1, 1999.

All members of the Commission are civilians, and totally independent of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces.