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What They Do
Military Police Officers lead teams of Military Police members in enforcing laws and regulations on Canadian Forces’ establishments in Canada and abroad. They serve the entire Canadian Forces community including Regular and Reserve Force members, civilian employees, cadets and family members.
Military Police Officers provide leadership and professional direction to Military Police members, and manage available resources and equipment. They enforce discipline, control traffic, handle prisoners of war, detainees and refugees, and manage the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of criminal intelligence.
The primary responsibilities of a Military Police Officer are to:
- Manage military police patrols
- Administer police operations
- Supervise crime scene management
- Conduct investigations and interviews
- Manage investigations
- Administer police programs
- Administer security programs
- Provide police and security advice to senior authorities
Working Environment
All Canadian citizens are entitled to the same rights, privileges and protection under Canadian law, and Military Police Officers are qualified to provide these services to the same standard as every other Canadian police service. Military Police Officers work routinely within the civilian criminal and military justice systems, and are recognised as peace officers in the Criminal Code of Canada. With over 1,250 full-time members, they form one of the largest police forces in Canada.
Military Police Officers provide around-the-clock service to the military community in Canada or around the world, including areas of armed conflict or natural disaster. The majority of a Military Police Officer's work will be working indoors in an office setting, but working conditions will vary depending on the nature and the location of the services being provided.
Career Development
The starting salary for a fully-trained Military Police Officer is $51,000 per year; however, depending on previous experience and training the starting salary may be higher. Regular promotions through the junior officer ranks take place based on the completion of required training and on the length of service as an officer. Once promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Navy) or Captain, their salary is approximately $74,000 per year.
As they progress in their careers, Military Police Officers may be called upon to command a Military Police unit on a Canadian Forces base, assigned to the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, or serve in a staff position at an operational Command or National Headquarters. Once Military Police Officers are assigned the duties of Detachment Commanders, they are expected to support their local military communities in prevention, detection and investigation of crime, and take leadership roles in community policing projects involving partnerships with community support agencies and neighbouring law enforcement agencies.
In addition to providing police services and maintaining their policing skills, Military Police Officers are required to maintain additional specialist skills. Given the complexity of modern policing in Canada, there is a need for advanced police training. Military Police Officers who demonstrate the required ability, dedication and potential are selected for opportunities for career progression, promotion and advanced training.
After enrolment, you start basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, for 15 weeks. Topics covered include general military knowledge, the principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the Canadian Forces, basic weapons handling, and first aid. Opportunities will also be provided to apply such newly acquired military skills in training exercises involving force protection, field training, navigation and leadership. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a vital part of basic training. Basic officer training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.
Second language training is available following basic officer training; depending on your ability in your second language, it may take from two to nine months.
After basic training, you will go to the Infantry School at the Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, New Brunswick. You will build upon the leadership training you received in basic officer training in addition to learning the skills required of all Combat Arms Soldiers, including more advanced weapons-handling, field-craft, and section-level tactics.
Military Police Officers then attend the Military Police Officer Qualification course in Borden, Ontario. This course is six months long and includes the following topics:
- Military police patrol management
- Police operations administration
- Crime scene management supervision
- Investigation and interview techniques
- Investigation management
- Police program administration
- Security programs administration
- Military Police Units in Field Operations command
Military Police Officers may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:
- Criminal Identification Specialist
- Polygraph Examiner
- Major Crime Investigator
- Crime Scene Manager
- Major Case Team commander
- Drug Investigator
- Aircraft Security Specialist
- Sexual Assault and Fraud Investigations
- Homicide investigation
- Forensic identification
- Undercover operative
- Close protection
- Army tactical operations
- Executive police development
As they progress in their career, Military Police Officers who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:
- Information Security Investigation Specialist
- Criminal Investigator
- Counter-Human Intelligence Specialist
- Surveillance Operator
- Officer Safety Instructor
- Senior Police Administration
As part of the application process, all candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be required to complete career orientation and an aptitude assessment at a Military Police Assessment Centre to ensure that they have a realistic view of the Military Police Officer occupation and the potential to succeed.
If you already have a university degree, preferably in a criminal justice-related field, the Canadian Forces will decide if your academic background matches the criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required job training program following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before being assigned.
Regular Officer Training Plan
Because this position requires a university degree, the Canadian Forces will pay successful recruits to complete a Bachelor degree program at a Canadian university. They receive full-time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full-pay in exchange for working with the Canadian Forces for a period of time. Typically, candidates enter the Canadian Military College System as an Officer Cadet where they study subjects relevant to both their military and academic career. In some instances, the Canadian Forces is able to pay for Officer Cadets to attend other Canadian universities in a relevant degree program. Officer Cadets who attend other Canadian universities typically attend university during the regular academic year and participate in additional military training during the summer months. If you choose to apply to this program, you must apply both to the Canadian Forces and the Canadian university of your choice. For more information, click on Paid University.
This position is available for part-time employment through the Reserves. Reservists generally work part-time for a Reserve unit in their community. They are not posted or required to do a military move. However, they can volunteer to move to another base. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.
Reservists train with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required professional standards of the job. If additional training is required in order to specialize skills, arrangements will be made by the home unit.
It is also possible to set up an “Individual Learning Plan” to take courses leading to a university degree related to this job, and upon successful completion, be reimbursed for up to 50% of tuition and other mandatory costs. Education fees for successfully completed courses are reimbursed as long as the student was a Reservist during the entire duration of the course.
This position is available through the Reserve Entry Training Plan. Through this program Reservists attend the Royal Military College, and are eligible for tuition reimbursement up to $2000 per year. They are paid as a part-time officer cadet for any additional military training required.
Typically, Reservists work or train with their home unit for at least four evenings and one weekend per month, from September to May of each year. They are paid 85% of Regular Force rates of pay and receive a reasonable benefits package.
