What They Do
Military Police with the Canadian Forces (CF) serve a community of approximately 200,000 Regular and Reserve Force members, National Defence civilian employees, cadets, and family members residing on military establishments in Canada and abroad. Whether at home on CF bases or abroad on international missions, Military Police, in conjunction with civilian and allied military police forces, protect and support all components of the CF. With over 1,250 full-time members, they form one of the largest police agencies in Canada.
The international scope of the CF requires that Military Police provide services in Canada and around the world. All Canadian citizens are entitled to the same rights, privileges and protection under Canadian law, and Military Police are qualified to provide these services to the same standard as every other Canadian police service. Military Police routinely function within the civilian criminal and military justice systems, and are recognised as peace officers in the Criminal Code of Canada. Military Police Officers provide leadership and professional direction to Military Police members, and manage available resources and equipment.
As Detachment Commanders, Staff Officers or Military Police Commanders on deployed missions, Military Police Officers assist senior commanders with enforcement of discipline, traffic control, handling of prisoners of war, detainees and refugees, and the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of information relevant to criminal intelligence.
Military Police Detachment Commanders also 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.
Qualification Requirements
Military Police members must be courageous, dedicated, patient, and tactful. They must have good reasoning abilities, good powers of observation, a memory for detail, initiative, physical and mental stamina, and a genuine interest in working with and helping all members of the community. They must also communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
To be eligible for a position as a Commissioned Military Police Officer, candidates must have an undergraduate degree from a recognised university, preferably in a criminal justice-related field. Commissioned Officer entry plans may differ depending on qualifications.
Candidates must also meet CF medical standards and successfully complete a selection process consisting of interviews and a wide range of examinations.
Following the initial screening, all eligible candidates will attend a career orientation and undergo aptitude assessment at a Military Police Assessment Centre (MPAC), to ensure that they have a realistic view of the Military Police occupation and the potential to succeed.
Direct Entry Officer (DEO) – To qualify for direct entry as a Military Police Officer, candidates should already possess a university undergraduate degree in a related discipline.
Career Development
The Military Police occupation provides an opportunity for a challenging and rewarding career in Canada and abroad, with opportunities for career progression and advanced training for those who excel.
In addition to providing police services and maintaining their policing skills, Military Police 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 members, who demonstrate the required abilities and ambition, will have an opportunity for advanced police training through formal courses or on-the-job training. More specialised training may also be available at police colleges and academies in Canada. Listed below are examples of available courses.
Initial Employment
Provisional Employment Period
Following successful completion of Basic Military Police Officer training, candidates will undergo a one-year provisional employment, or internship period, consisting of two phases: a police management phase and an investigation phase.
During the police management phase, Military Police Officers will serve at locations across Canada, exercising management and administrative skills, under appropriate supervision, coaching and mentoring.
During the investigation phase, they will serve at one of four CF National Investigation Service detachments to focus on the practical application of criminal investigations, under a direct supervision and tutelage of qualified criminal investigators.
Specialty Training
Advanced Training Courses
- Interview Techniques
- Information Security Investigation Specialist
- Criminal Investigator
- Counter-Human Intelligence Specialist
- Surveillance Operator
- Officer Safety Instructor
- Senior Police Administration
Specialty Training Courses
- Criminal Identification Specialist
- Polygraph Examiner
- Major Crime Investigator
- Crime Scene Manager
- Major Case Management
- Drug Investigator
- Aircraft Security Specialist
- Sexual Assault and Fraud Investigations
Working Environment
Military Police provide around-the-clock service to the military community and may be deployed on military operations anywhere in Canada or around the world, including areas suffering due to armed conflict or natural disasters. They participate in humanitarian support operations, peacekeeping, peacemaking or war fighting, and encounter traumatic events and austere living and working conditions. They are required to overcome physical dangers, with flexibility, innovation and perseverance.
Most Military Police members work outdoors, on foot or in a vehicle, exposed to all climatic conditions. They may spend prolonged hours in a vehicle while responding to service calls, or work indoors meeting people, taking statements or completing necessary documentation. They are frequently subjected to physical and mental stress in situations that require them to exercise their lawful authority. Military Police are trained to exercise sound judgement and cope with frequently changing situations while remaining alert.
Initial Assessment and Basic Officer Training
Following your successful application, you will be enrolled in the CF and undertake the initial assessment and the Basic Officer Training Course at the CF Leadership and Recruit School in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. The training program includes principles of leadership, regulations and customs of the service, basic weapons handling, first aid, as well as a rigorous sports and fitness training. Basic Officer Training is provided in English or French and successful completion is a prerequisite for further training.
After Basic Officer Training, you may attend a second-language training course for two to seven months, depending on your second-language proficiency.
Common Army Phase
All Military Police Officers will complete the eight-week Common Army Phase training conducted at the Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, New Brunswick, where they will be introduced to CF operations in austere environments and to basic tactical planning and manœuvring. This aspect of training will be physically and mentally challenging.
Basic Military Police Officer Training
Upon successful completion of the Common Army Phase training, Military Police Officer candidates will attend a 20-week Basic Military Police Officer course at the CF Military Police Academy at CFB Borden, Ontario, to prepare them for future military police postings.
