MILITARY POLICE

IN THE CANADIAN FORCES

I’m Corporal Nicholas Glas. I’m from London, Ontario. I’m a military policeman and I’m currently posted to Borden, Ontario.

And I’m Master Seaman Tanya Gazzellone from St. John, New Brunswick. I’m a Military Police investigator working with the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service in Edmonton, Alberta.

GAZZELLONE: Military Police are sworn to uphold the laws of Canada and the code of service discipline and dedicated to serving a global community of 90,000 regular and reserve-force soldiers, air crews and sailors.

We handle everything from Internet cyber security to dockside patrols, from guarding our diplomatic missions overseas to directing traffic on convoy. Whether it’s investigating a domestic disturbance or a theft on base or securing and transporting enemy detainees, Canada’s Military Police members have a vital role to play.

GLAS: Soldiers are there to protect Canada, but somebody needs to protect the soldier and as a Military Police member, you’re protecting those who protect Canada.

GAZZELLONE: On deployment, we go wherever our troops go right up to the forward operating bases when needed and we work with foreign law enforcement to help train and improve their ranks.

GLAS: You’re constantly learning new skill sets, facing new challenges and upgrading your proficiencies.

I wanted the policing job and I also wanted to be a soldier. I still wanted to be able to deploy and I found that the Military Police trade was the best opportunity for that. I could serve my community, serve the military community and, as well I could still serve abroad, serve Canada as a soldier.

GAZZELLONE: There are great opportunities for specialized postings such as providing close protection for VIPs, providing security at one of Canada’s embassies overseas, working plainclothes or undercover in one of our specialized investigative units, being an Air Marshall or providing mentoring to police forces in other countries.

GLAS: You could be working in Beijing, China, London, England, basically anywhere in the world where there’s a Canadian embassy. There’s a chance that you could find yourself posted there if you wanted it.

GAZZELLONE: Before you can enrol in the Forces as a Military Police recruit, you’ll have to complete a community college diploma in Law and Security Administration, Police Foundations or a similar program from a recognized community college or CEGEP.

GLAS: If you’re accepted, you’ll undergo basic military training in Quebec, then head to the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy at CFB Borden in Ontario.

GAZZELLONE: The course at the Academy lasts 6 months . You’ll learn the basics of Canadian military and civilian law, emergency response, conflict mitigation, crime scene investigation and use of force. You’ll also learn the role of the Military Police in the Forces, in the community, in the courtroom and on the battlefield.

GLAS: When you graduate from the Academy, you’ll be posted to your first detachment.

GAZZELLONE: Your first year as a provisional member of the Military Police is spent under close supervision at a police detachment on a Forces base in Canada. You’ll have a long list of benchmarks to pass to ensure you’re up to the job.

You’ll have coach officers assigned to you as you work with other members toward your official certification.

GLAS: Once that initial year is up, you ride on your own and you’re able to get into more diverse training and experiences in the Military Police trade.

GAZZELLONE: My first posting was CFB Petawawa. I really truly enjoyed my time as a patrolman there. The rush of a 911 is incredible.

GLAS: Within a detachment, you could be working as a court liaison officer, general investigations section. We have drug units, we have undercover operators – the sky’s the limit essentially.

GAZZELLONE: Currently, I’m an investigator with the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service. On a day-to-day basis, I could be tasked to investigate the more serious offenses, such things as sexual assaults, frauds or sudden deaths.

Policing in the military is definitely different that policing on civilian street. I joined the Forces because I wanted to live the adventure and that’s exactly what I’ve done so far. I’ve had opportunity to be on ships, to be in the field, on Air Force bases and Army bases.

GLAS: You know, there’s no greater satisfaction than going home at the end of the day knowing that you did something good. If the day’s been busy, you’ve been busy helping people. If the day’s been slow, then people haven’t needed your help and that’s just as satisfying.

TITLE:

MILITARY POLICE

IN THE CANADIAN FORCES