Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS)

Origin

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) originated in 1993 but grew as the result of the The Right Honourable Brian Dickson's March 1997 report on the Military Justice and Military Police Investigation Services. The CFNIS in its current form was stood up as of 1 September 1997.

Mandate

The CFNIS is mandated to investigate serious and or sensitive service and criminal offences against property, persons, and the Department. It has authority and jurisdiction over persons subject to the Code of Service Discipline without regard to rank and status throughout the world and wherever the Canadian Forces are established or deployed.

Organization

As per The Right Honourable Brian Dickson's Report, the CFNIS is commanded by the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal (CFPM) who reports directly to the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. The CFNIS provides its services from four regional offices currently located in Halifax (Atlantic Region), Valcartier (Eastern Region), Ottawa (Central Region) and Edmonton (Western Region). There is also a sub-detachment in Borden and one in Victoria. The CFNIS provides investigative services to all locations including deployed operations. CFNIS personnel are independent from the normal military chain of command and they report to and receive their direction from the CFPM.

Accessibility

The CFNIS works closely with Base and Wing Military Police and civilian police organizations. Normally CFNIS services will be requested through the Base and Wing Military Police organizations. Notwithstanding this normal process, DND and CF personnel can lay a complaint or communicate directly with CFNIS members and offices. All complaints will be assessed to confirm they fall within the CFNIS mandate and, if so, will be appropriately and thoroughly investigated and documented. Where appropriate the CFNIS will subsequently lay charges in either civilian or military courts.

Members

The CFNIS mandate requires professional and dedicated investigators. CFNIS investigators are Military Police members, with some support staff. Military Police personnel are empowered under section 156 of the National Defence Act and under section 2 of the Criminal Code of Canada. These Military Police investigators receive their investigative training at Canadian Forces Military Police Academy (CFMPA) and from various Canadian police colleges. CFNIS investigators receive dedicated advice from independent military prosecutors throughout their investigations.

CFNIS Services

CFNIS services are available for both general and specialized investigations. NIS personnel may investigate any serious crimes against persons, property, or DND establishments. The CFNIS can also provide specialist investigative capabilities in the areas of computer crime, fraud, etc, or provide specialty services in the areas of polygraph, and mobile or static surveillance.

Contacts

Canadian Forces Provost Marshal

Deputy Provost Marshal

National Investigation Service
National Defence Headquarters
Major General George R Pearkes Building
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K2

Office: (613) 945-7269
Fax: (613) 995-4038
Secure Fax: (613) 945-0236

CFNIS Atlantic Region

Office: (902) 427-7341
After hours: 1-888-253-5335

CFNIS Eastern Region

Office: (418) 844-5000 local 7875
After hours: 1-877-763-3272

CFNIS Central Region

Office: (613) 993-3942
After hours: 1-888-812-3647

CFNIS Western Region

Office: (780) 973-4011 local 5000
After hours: 1-877-290-1091