42100 – Police officers (except commissioned)
Lead statement
Police officers maintain order and enforce laws and regulations. They respond to emergency calls, patrol public areas, regulate traffic, control crowds, arrest offenders and build community relationships.
Main duties
- Respond to emergency calls and complaints, execute search warrants and arrest criminal suspects
- Patrol assigned areas on foot, horseback, bicycle and motorized vehicles to maintain public safety and order and to enforce laws and regulations
- Prepare reports to record incidents and patrol activities and to provide testimony in courts of law
- Provide emergency assistance to victims of accidents, crimes and natural disasters
- Monitor traffic to ensure motorists observe traffic regulations and test persons suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs
- Control crowds at public events and protests and monitor suspicious and violent behaviour
- Participate in crime prevention, public information, safety and community relations programs
- Perform daily administrative tasks in support of law enforcement activities, such as maintaining equipment and information files
- May assist police investigators in criminal investigations
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Completion of a college program in police technology is required in Québec and usually required in other provinces and territories.
- A three- to six-month police training program is required.
- Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met, and psychological or other tests are also required.
- Specialized training or certification may be required for certain areas of policing.
Example job titles
bodyguard - police · police cadet · canine-team member - police · community police officer · community services officer - police · police constable · constable · policeman/woman · police officer · crime prevention constable · desk officer - police · divisional diving supervisor - police · dog master - police · diversity and race relations officer - police · crime scene technician - police · evidence technician - police · harbour police officer · harbour policeman/woman · headquarters duty officer - police · highway patrolman/woman · highway patrol officer · identification officer - police · morality officer - police · motorcycle patrolman/woman - police · mounted policeman/woman · mounted police constable · patrol officer - police · traffic patrol officer · peace officer · plain-clothes officer · railway police constable · railway police officer · police corporal · scuba diver - police · community relations officer - police · police diver - salvage · police sergeant · Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer · recruitment and training officer - police · safety patrol officer - police
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $32.00 | $50.00 | $64.10 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $33.49 | $48.08 | $61.06 |
| Nova Scotia | $33.65 | $50.00 | $66.35 |
| New Brunswick | $36.00 | $50.00 | $59.62 |
| Quebec | $28.57 | $45.08 | $64.29 |
| Ontario | $32.21 | $50.55 | $64.00 |
| Manitoba | $28.85 | $51.30 | $62.02 |
| Saskatchewan | $35.00 | $52.00 | $65.00 |
| Alberta | $34.62 | $50.00 | $59.00 |
| British Columbia | $35.00 | $54.00 | $70.67 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.