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Military police officer (commissioned) and Reserve: two other ways to become a military police officer

The officer commands, the reservist serves part time. Required diploma, training in Saint-Jean and Borden, official pay as of April 1, 2025.

Full guide: Peace officer in Quebec

October 10, 2026 · Lire en français

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There are three doors to becoming a military police officer. The first, that of the Regular Force non-commissioned member, is the subject of our article on the military police officer. Here are the other two: the commissioned military police officer, who commands, and the reservist, who serves part time. A Regular Force captain receives $8,861 to $11,712 a month according to the National Defence rates in effect since April 1, 2025. This text applies to women and men alike.

The role of the commissioned military police officer

The "Officier de la police militaire" profile on forces.ca describes a member who leads teams of military police officers. Most officers work in an office. Here are the responsibilities the profile lists.

Manage military police patrols
Administer police operations
Supervise crime scene management
Conduct and manage investigations
Administer police and security programs
Advise senior authorities on policing and security

Like the non-commissioned member, the officer is recognized as a peace officer by the Criminal Code, forces.ca writes.

The university degree and paid education

Forces.ca requires every officer candidate to be at least 17, to have Canadian citizenship or permanent residence, Secondary V and a bachelor's degree completed or in progress. The military police candidate also takes an orientation session and an aptitude assessment at the Military Police Assessment Centre.

A candidate without a bachelor's degree can apply to the Regular Officer Training Plan. The Forces then pay for undergraduate studies at one of the two military colleges: the Royal Military College of Canada, in Kingston, and the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The officer cadet receives $34,956 a year, minus room and board, and must then serve for a set period.

Officer training

Basic Military Officer Qualification lasts 12 weeks at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Second-language training of two to nine months may follow. Forces.ca then announces the Canadian Army common phase, given at the Infantry School in Gagetown, New Brunswick.

The military police officer qualification is obtained at Canadian Forces Base Borden, in Ontario. The course lasts six months.

Officer pay

National Defence publishes the monthly pay of Regular Force officers on canada.ca, effective April 1, 2025. From second lieutenant to lieutenant, the rate depends on the pay level, which follows the enrolment program. Level A is that of the Regular Officer Training Plan. Level C is that of direct entry as an officer.

Rank and pay level	Basic monthly pay	Top increment
Officer cadet, level A	$2,913	$3,089
Second lieutenant, level A	$6,413	$6,507
Second lieutenant, level C	$5,484	$8,305
Lieutenant, level A	$6,989	$8,410
Lieutenant, level C	$6,030	$8,410
Captain	$8,861	$11,712

Source: National Defence, Regular Force pay by rank, officer tables, rates effective April 1, 2025.

Over 12 months, a captain's basic pay gives $106,332 and the top increment gives $140,544, by our calculation and without allowances. These tables apply to all general service officers, with no rate specific to the military police.

The Reserve: another job under the same name

Forces.ca writes that the Primary Reserve Military Police is not made up of accredited police officers. It is a close combat support unit. Its role is to reinforce Regular Force platoons.

Minimum education: Secondary V
Provincial driver's licence: desired, not mandatory
Permanent resident: three years in Canada and a citizenship application under way
Distance: positions generally go to candidates who live less than 100 km from the unit
Pace: one evening a week and validation exercises three to four times a year

The reservist's Basic Military Qualification takes place in summer, over at least five weeks, or over 12 weekends. Occupational training is given in summer, full time, and lasts more than eight weeks. The full path can take up to two years. Forces.ca hopes for a commitment of three to four years.

Reservist pay

The part-time Reserve is paid by the day. National Defence publishes these rates for Class A service, part time, and Class B service, 13 consecutive days or more, effective April 1, 2025.

Rank	Lowest daily pay	Highest daily pay
Private	$143.76	$184.86
Corporal, Standard	$209.28	$223.92
Corporal, Specialist 1	$232.10	$246.32
Officer cadet	$150.48	$180.98
Captain	$270.34	$357.36

Source: National Defence, Reserve Force pay by rank, rates effective April 1, 2025.

The list of Reserve specialist groups places the military police in the Specialist 1 group, from the rank of corporal to master warrant officer, for a member who holds the required qualification. A reservist on Class C service, full time, receives Regular Force pay.

No official page consulted names the military police reserve units in Quebec. Forces.ca refers you to the recruiter. For civilian policing, see how to become a police officer in Quebec and a police officer's salary.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a military officer?

Forces.ca describes officers as leaders, managers and planning specialists. They must hold a university degree. They command units at home and abroad.

What is a military officer's salary in Canada?

National Defence publishes pay by rank, effective April 1, 2025. A direct-entry second lieutenant starts at $5,484 a month. A captain receives $8,861 to $11,712 a month.

What is a reservist's pay in Canada?

The part-time reservist is paid by the day. Since April 1, 2025, a private receives $143.76 to $184.86 a day and a corporal at the Standard rate receives $209.28 to $223.92.

What is an army reservist's pay?

Forces.ca writes that reservists receive 92.8% of the Regular Force rate of pay. A Reserve captain receives $270.34 to $357.36 per day of service. On Class C service, full time, the reservist receives Regular Force pay.

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

The military police officer is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. They serve the military community and can be deployed abroad. Forces.ca names the RCMP and provincial, regional and municipal police services as equivalent civilian jobs.

How can I join the Canadian Army?

To enrol as an officer, forces.ca requires you to be at least 17, to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and to hold a bachelor's degree or be working toward one. Without a bachelor's degree, the candidate can apply to a subsidized education program.