Military Police Officer

Overview

As a member of the military, Military Police Officers lead teams of Military Police members in enforcing 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.

• 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

Military Police Officers are entitled to the same rights, privileges and protection under Canadian law, and operate as peace officers under the Criminal Code of Canada. They work routinely within the civilian criminal and military justice systems and are recognised as one of Canada’s largest police forces with over 1,250 full‑time members.

Officers provide around‑the‑clock service to the military community in Canada and abroad, including areas of armed conflict or natural disaster. While the majority of the work is performed indoors in an office setting, conditions vary depending on the nature and location of the services provided.

All candidates who meet the minimum requirements will complete career orientation and an aptitude assessment at a Military Police Assessment Centre.

• Direct Entry Options
• Paid Education Options

If you already hold a university degree—preferably in a criminal justice‑related field—the CAF will determine if your background matches the criteria for direct placement into the required training program following basic training. Basic training and military officer qualification training are required before assignment.

After enrolment, candidates start 12‑week basic officer training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Quebec. Topics covered include general military knowledge, principles of leadership, CAF regulations and customs, basic weapons handling, and first aid. A rigorous physical fitness program is also a prerequisite for further training.

Following basic officer training, official second‑language training may be offered, ranging from two to nine months, depending on proficiency.

After basic training, officers attend the Infantry School at the Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, New Brunswick, where they build on leadership training and learn advanced weapons handling, fieldcraft, and section‑level tactics.

They then attend the six‑month Military Police Officer Qualification course in Borden, Ontario, which covers:

• 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

Officers may also pursue specialized skills through formal courses and on‑the‑job training, such as:

• 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

Advanced training courses available include:

• Information security investigation specialist
• Criminal investigator
• Counter‑human intelligence specialist
• Surveillance operator
• Officer safety instructor
• Senior police administration

This position is available for part‑time employment with the Primary Reserve at locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at an Air Force Wing in their community and may combine service with education or civilian employment. They are paid during training and may volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Military Police Officers may also serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, or the Royal Canadian Air Force, typically leading teams at a Military Police Group within Canada.

• Military Police
• Legal Officer
• Intelligence Officer