National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011
431 - Occupations in front-line public protection services
4311 - Police officers (except commissioned)
Police officers protect the public, detect and prevent crime and perform other activities directed at maintaining law and order. They are employed by municipal and federal governments and some provincial and regional governments. This unit group includes railway police.
Illustrative example(s)
- community relations officer - police
- constable
- crime prevention constable
- detective - police
- harbour police officer
- highway patrol officer
- police cadet
- police diver
- police officer
- police sergeant
- railway police officer
- RCMP officer
Exclusion(s)
- By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers, n.e.c. (4423)
- Commissioned police officers (0431)
- Private detectives (See 6541 Security guards and related security service occupations)
- Sheriffs and bailiffs (4421)
Main duties
Police officers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Patrol assigned areas to maintain public safety and order and to enforce laws and regulations
- Investigate crimes and accidents, secure evidence, interview witnesses, compile notes and reports and provide testimony in courts of law
- Arrest criminal suspects
- Provide emergency assistance to victims of accidents, crimes and natural disasters
- Participate in crime prevention, public information and safety programs
- May supervise and co-ordinate the work of other police officers.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- Completion of a college program or university degree in law and security or in the social sciences is usually required.
- A three- to six-month police training program is provided.
- Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met, and psychological or other tests may also be required.
- Experience as a constable and the completion of specialized courses are required for detectives and sergeants.
Additional information
- Progression to commissioned police officer positions is possible with additional training and experience.
4312 - Firefighters
Firefighters carry out firefighting and fire prevention activities, and assist in other emergencies. They are employed by municipal, provincial and federal governments and by large industrial establishments that have internal firefighting services.
Illustrative example(s)
- airport firefighter
- fire captain
- firefighter
- firefighter, shipboard
- industrial firefighter
- lieutenant, firefighters
Exclusion(s)
- Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers (0432)
- Forest firefighters (See 8422 Silviculture and forestry workers)
- Paramedics (See 3234 Paramedical occupations)
Main duties
Firefighters perform some or all of the following duties:
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents, bomb threats and other emergencies
- Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites
- Control and extinguish fires using manual and power equipment, such as axes, water hoses, aerial ladders and hydraulic equipment and various firefighting chemicals
- Administer first aid and other assistance
- Ensure proper operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment
- Prepare written reports on fire incidents
- Inform and educate the public on fire prevention
- Train to maintain high level of physical fitness
- Assist the public, the police and emergency organizations during times of major disasters
- May participate as members of a trauma or emergency response team and provide paramedical aid to accident victims or ill persons
- May supervise and co-ordinate the work of other firefighters
- May conduct building inspections to ensure compliance with fire code.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field may be required.
- Firefighting and emergency medical care training courses are provided and vary in length depending on the requirements of different fire departments or services.
- An apprenticeship training program for firefighters and voluntary trade certification is available in New Brunswick.
- Experience as a volunteer firefighter may be an advantage.
- Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met.
- Several years of experience are required for senior firefighters, such as lieutenants and captains.
Additional information
- Progression to senior positions such as fire chief is possible with additional training and several years of experience.
4313 - Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Forces
This unit group consists of Canadian Forces personnel who are non-commissioned officers (NCOs) or members of other non-commissioned ranks. They provide collective defence measures to protect Canadian waters, land, airspace and other interests. All ranks of non-commissioned officers and members in the air force, army, and navy are included in this unit group.
Illustrative example(s)
Air Force and Army ranks
- chief warrant officer
- master corporal
- private
- sergeant
Navy ranks
- able seaman - armed forces
- master seaman
- ordinary seaman - armed forces
- petty officer first class
Exclusion(s)
- Commissioned officers of the Canadian Forces (0433)
Main duties
Personnel in non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Forces perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate armoured vehicles, artillery, hand-held weapons and other military combat equipment and defence systems
- Conduct peacekeeping operations and enforce cease-fire agreements
- Engage in non-combat operations for humanitarian efforts
- Provide assistance in emergency situations, such as civil disorder, natural disasters and major accidents
- Participate in drills and other training in preparation for peacekeeping, combat and natural disaster relief duties
- Perform administrative and guard duties.
Personnel in this unit group are assigned to specific operations related to reconnaissance, peacekeeping, disaster relief and combat.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Three months of basic military training are provided.
- Specialized training in the operation and maintenance of military equipment and systems is provided.
Additional information
- Progression to commissioned officer occupations is possible with additional training and experience.
- Date modified: