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SPVM police cadet: the summer job, requirements and pay

The SPVM cadet program: duties, admission requirements, training, 2026 pay and how to apply.

October 17, 2026 · By the Agent Policier editorial team · Lire en français

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A police cadet at the SPVM (Montreal police service) holds a summer job paid $22.67 an hour in 2026, according to the "Cadet" page of the SPVM recruitment site. The cadet is not a police officer. The cadet supports police operations, mainly from early June to late August. This text applies to women and men cadets alike.

A support job, not a police officer position

The SPVM presents the program as a way to gain field experience and see whether police work suits you. The recrutementspvm.ca site is the one linked from the spvm.qc.ca home page.

In summer, the cadet works full-time, at the Urban Brigade, on traffic or on other assignments depending on needs. The rest of the year, the cadet works only on certain local prevention programs and at mandatory events, such as the Saint Patrick's Day parade, the Montreal Marathon and the Santa Claus parade.

A police cadet's duties

Preventive foot and bike patrols
Assignment to the Info-Crime program
Parking tickets
Visitor control
Local prevention programs, such as distributing leaflets, courtesy tickets and property engraving
Information to the community about prevention programs
Writing up complaints
Video surveillance
Redirecting traffic, controlling peaceful crowds and informing citizens during sporting, cultural and public events

Admission requirements

The "Critères de sélection" page lists the following conditions.

Have at least one year of significant work or volunteer experience
Have a good knowledge of French and a working knowledge of English
Meet the security clearance requirements
Be available from early June to late August to work an average of 35 hours a week, on a variable schedule of days, evenings and occasionally nights
Be enrolled in a CEGEP or university program, or hold a DEP (vocational diploma) or a university degree

The SPVM does not require enrolment in Police Technology. Any college or university program is accepted. The training that leads to the profession is described in our article on Police Technology.

Selection

The candidate must pass every step of the process.

The selection interview, which assesses five competencies: analyzing, collaborating with the team, communicating, committing and serving all populations
The security clearance, a security and integrity investigation

The SPVM adds that cadets who stand out through their work may be prioritized in the selection process and hired faster as neighbourhood officers. The steps to become a police officer are in our article on how to become a police officer.

Training

The SPVM provides paid training of up to 45 hours. It also supplies the required uniforms and equipment.

Pay

The French page of the program shows pay of $22.67 an hour for 2026. The English page of the same site still shows $21.83 an hour, a 2021 rate. A police officer's salary is covered in our article on police officer salary.

How and when to apply

The "Comment faire une demande d'emploi" page asks you to email the SPVM a résumé and proof of student status, such as a class schedule or a letter from the registrar, or a copy of your college or university diploma. The email subject names the process and the summer in question.

As of October 17, 2026, the program pages state that cadet recruitment is closed for the summer 2026 period. The SPVM does not publish the opening date of the next recruitment.

What the SPVM does not publish

The SPVM publishes no minimum age, no driver's licence requirement, no number of cadets hired and no exact start and end dates of employment. Other police forces also have cadets: the Sûreté du Québec (Quebec's provincial police) "Cadets" page announces more than two hundred cadets for 2027. Other jobs in the field are gathered on our police officer jobs page.

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Frequently asked questions

What is an SPVM cadet's pay?

The SPVM recruitment page shows $22.67 an hour for 2026. The training, up to 45 hours, is also paid.

Do you have to study Police Technology to be an SPVM cadet?

No. The SPVM requires enrolment in a CEGEP or university program, or a DEP or a university degree. No specific program is required.

Is a police cadet a police officer?

No. The cadet supports police operations, for example on preventive patrol, on traffic or in prevention. The cadet can issue parking tickets.

When do you apply to be an SPVM cadet?

Recruitment for summer 2026 is closed. The SPVM does not publish the opening date of the next recruitment. The "Cadet" page of recrutementspvm.ca is the one to watch.

How many hours does a police cadet work?

The SPVM requires availability from early June to late August to work an average of 35 hours a week. The schedule varies, with days, evenings and occasionally nights.

Does being a cadet help you become an SPVM police officer?

The SPVM writes that cadets who stand out may be prioritized in the selection process and hired faster as neighbourhood officers. The full path to the police profession still applies.