National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
- 4 - Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services
- 42 - Front-line public protection services and paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community, education services
- 421 - Occupations in front-line public protection services
- 4210 - Occupations in front-line public protection services
42100 - Police officers (except commissioned)
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.
Illustrative example(s)
- community relations officer - police
- constable
- crime prevention constable
- harbour police officer
- highway patrol officer
- police cadet
- police officer
- police sergeant
- railway police officer
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer
Inclusion(s)
- crime scene technician - police
- police diver
Exclusion(s)
- By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers (See 43202 By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers)
- Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services (See 40040 Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services)
- Police investigators and other investigative occupations (See 41310 Police investigators and other investigative occupations)
- Private detective (See 64410 Security guards and related security service occupations)
- Sheriffs and bailiffs (See 43200 Sheriffs and bailiffs)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following 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.
Additional information
- Progression to investigative positions is possible with additional training and experience.
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