Military Police

Overview

As a member of the military, Military Police enforce laws and regulations on Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) establishments in Canada and abroad. They serve the entire CAF community, including Regular and Reserve Force members, civilian employees, cadets, and family members.

The primary responsibilities of the Military Police are to:

• Support CAF missions by providing policing and operational support
• Investigate and report incidents involving military or criminal offenses
• Develop and apply crime prevention measures to protect military communities against criminal acts
• Coordinate tasks related to persons held in custody (including military detainees and prisoners of war)
• Provide security at selected Canadian embassies around the world
• Provide service to the community through conflict mediation, negotiation, dispute resolution, public relations and victim assistance
• Perform other policing duties, such as traffic control, traffic-accident investigation, emergency response, and liaison with Canadian, allied and other foreign police forces
  
  
  

Work environment


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 work within the civilian criminal and military justice systems, and are recognized 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 provide around-the-clock service to the military community in Canada or around the world, including areas of armed conflict or natural disaster. Most Military Police members work outdoors, on foot or in a vehicle, or in an office setting to take statements or complete documentation.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

• Direct Entry Options
  
  

The minimum required education to apply for this position is graduation from an approved program at a post-secondary institution. For a list of approved programs, please contact your local recruiter.

Following the initial screening, eligible candidates will complete career orientation and aptitude assessment at a Military Police Assessment Centre to ensure that you have a realistic view of the Military Police occupation and the potential to succeed.

A valid provincial driver’s licence is also required.

The ideal candidate will already have a college diploma in Law and Security Administration, Police Foundations or similar program from a recognised Canadian community college, the CAF will decide if your academic program matches the training criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training.

Foreign education may be accepted.

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint- Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

Military Police attend the Military Police Academy in Borden, Ontario. Over a six-month period, they will learn the basics of Canadian civilian and military law, investigative techniques, and acquire skills necessary to perform daily Military Police functions.

Military Police 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 management
• Drug investigator
• Aircraft security specialist
• Sexual assault and fraud investigations
• Clandestine lab investigator
• Homicide investigator
• Evasive anti-terror driving
• Strategic intelligence analysis
• Cybercrime investigative technique
  
  

As they progress in their career, Military Police who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

• Interview techniques
• Information security investigation specialist
• Criminal investigator
• Counter-human intelligence specialist
• Surveillance operator
• Officer safety instructor
• Senior police administration
• Use-of-force instructor
  
  

Part time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time with a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. 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.

Military Police members may serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army or the Royal Canadian Air Force. They are employed in enforcing laws and regulations at CAF establishments. When they are employed on a part-time or casual full- time basis they usually serve with a Military Police Group at a location within Canada.

Find a Recruiting Centre

Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as their Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, the home unit will arrange for specialized skills training. Military Police members complete their qualification at the Military Police Academy in Borden, Ontario over a six-month period.

Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends, although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

Related Careers

Military Police Officer

Intelligence Operator

Legal Officer