How to become a police officer
Official title: Police officers (except commissioned)
Also called: Police cadet, Police diver, Peace officer, Police officer, Police corporal, Police sergeant, Police constable, Bodyguard - police, Dog master - police, Scuba diver - police, Desk officer - police, Plain-clothes officer
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. They are employed by municipal and federal governments and some provincial and regional governments.
Main tasks
- 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
How to become one
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.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 53% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Criminal justice and corrections; Criminology; Psychology, general.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $97,500 a year The middle half earn $78,000 to $109,200.
- About 79,800 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 84,100 are projected by 2033. (+5.4%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: moderate risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a police officer?
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.
How much does a police officer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $97,500 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $78,000 to $109,200.
Is a police officer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2033, from about 79,800 to about 84,100 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a police officer?
Not always. 31% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03