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Military police in Canada: organization, jurisdiction and oversight of military police officers

Who leads Canada's military police officers, where their detachments are in Quebec and how to file a complaint against one of them.

Full guide: Peace officer in Quebec

October 11, 2026 · Lire en français

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In Canada, every military police officer answers to a single head, the Canadian Forces Provost Marshal, described in sections 18.3 to 18.6 of the National Defence Act. A civilian commission oversees their conduct. It received 72 new misconduct complaints in 2025 according to its annual report. This text applies to women and men police officers alike.

Enrolment, training and pay are described in our article Military police officer.

The Provost Marshal, head of the military police

Section 18.3 of the Act gives the Chief of the Defence Staff the power to appoint the Provost Marshal. Section 18.4 lists the Provost Marshal's responsibilities.

Investigations conducted by any unit under their command
Selection and training standards for military police candidates
Professional and training standards for military police officers
Investigations into breaches of these standards or of the Military Police Professional Code of Conduct

Section 18.5 places the Provost Marshal under the general supervision of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. The Vice Chief may issue written guidelines to the Provost Marshal, who in principle makes them available to the public. Section 18.6 requires the Provost Marshal to submit a report on their activities and those of the military police within three months after the end of each fiscal year.

The Canadian Forces Military Police Group

National Defence places the Canadian Forces Military Police Group among the organizations of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. Its canada.ca page writes that the military police is independent of the chain of command on law enforcement matters. Members who perform these functions are under the full command of the Provost Marshal.

The same page gives the contact information for detachments by province. It names three in Quebec.

Bagotville
Saint-Jean
Valcartier

Montreal does not appear on this list.

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service

The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service investigates serious and sensitive offences committed against National Defence property, its personnel and military members, in Canada and abroad. Its commanding officer reports directly to the Provost Marshal. Its Eastern Region covers Quebec and Nunavut.

Its jurisdiction: over whom and where

Section 156 of the National Defence Act allows a military police officer to detain or arrest without a warrant any person subject to the Code of Service Discipline, whatever their rank or status. Section 2 of the Criminal Code includes among peace officers the officers and non-commissioned members appointed for the purposes of that section 156.

According to canada.ca, the National Investigation Service exercises its authority wherever the Canadian Forces are based or deployed in the world. For a non-urgent crime, National Defence invites you to contact the nearest military police detachment or the police service in your area.

The Military Police Professional Code of Conduct

The Military Police Professional Code of Conduct is a federal regulation, SOR/2000-14, registered on December 16, 1999. Its section 4 sets out twelve prohibitions. Here are four.

Knowingly and without good reason making an illegal arrest, detention, search or surveillance
Knowingly using, permitting or ordering excessive force
Acting in a discriminatory manner or being discourteous
Taking reprisals against a person who makes a complaint

Section 7 requires a military police officer to report to their superior any breach of the Code by a colleague.

The Complaints Commission

Part IV of the National Defence Act creates the Military Police Complaints Commission. Section 250.1 sets its membership at no more than five members appointed by the Governor in Council for a term of up to five years.

The Act provides for two types of complaints. A conduct complaint, under section 250.18, is open to anyone. An interference complaint, under section 250.19, is reserved for a military police officer who believes that a military member or a senior official of the department has obstructed their investigation.

Section 250.26 first entrusts a conduct complaint to the Provost Marshal. A dissatisfied complainant may then ask the Commission for a review, and the Commission handles interference complaints itself.

Making a complaint

Section 250.2 sets the deadline at one year after the events, unless the Chairperson of the Commission grants an extension. The complaint is made in writing or orally to the Commission, the Provost Marshal or the Judge Advocate General. The Commission offers an online form and answers at 1-800-632-0566.

The 2025 figures

Commission's 2025 annual report	Number
Information requests	124
New conduct complaints	72
New interference complaints	2
Decisions rendered	51
Recommendations to the Provost Marshal in final reports	59

Source: Military Police Complaints Commission of Canada, Rapport annuel 2025, Statistics section.

Of the 59 recommendations in 2025, 30.5% were accepted, 37.3% were accepted in part and 32.2% were not.

This text summarizes laws and public documents. It is neither legal advice nor union advice.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the role of the military police?

The military police provides law enforcement in the Canadian Armed Forces. Section 18.4 of the National Defence Act gives its head, the Provost Marshal, responsibility for investigations conducted by its units and for the professional standards of military police officers.

Who leads the military police in Canada?

The Canadian Forces Provost Marshal. The Chief of the Defence Staff appoints them under section 18.3 of the National Defence Act. Section 18.5 places them under the general supervision of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

What is the difference between the police and the military police?

The military police officer is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces appointed under section 156 of the National Defence Act, a federal law. Their arrest powers cover persons subject to the Code of Service Discipline. The path of a civilian police officer in Quebec is described in Becoming a police officer.

Is it possible to file a complaint against the police?

Yes, for the military police. Section 250.18 of the National Defence Act allows anyone, civilian or military, to file a complaint about the conduct of a military police officer in the performance of policing duties. No harm needs to be shown.

On what grounds can I file a complaint?

The Commission gives as examples the conduct of a military police officer during an investigation, law enforcement, an arrest or a detention. Section 4 of the Military Police Professional Code of Conduct prohibits, among other things, excessive force, discrimination and discourtesy.

How long do you have to file a complaint against a military police officer?

One year from the events, under section 250.2 of the National Defence Act. The Chairperson of the Commission may grant an extension at the complainant's request.