Police ranks of Canada
The police in Canada's ranks differ according to the different police forces and depend on different laws at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
[edit]The rank system of the RCMP is partly a result of their origin as a paramilitary force. Upon its founding on February 1, 1920, the RCMP adopted the rank insignia of the Canadian Army (which in turn came from the British Army), which is almost identical to that of the current Canadian Army. Like in the military, the RCMP also has a distinction between commissioned and non-commissioned officers.[1][2] The non-commissioned ranks are mostly based on military ranks (apart from constable). Non-commissioned officer ranks above staff sergeant resemble those that formerly existed in the Canadian Army but have since been replaced by warrant officers.[3] The commissioned officer ranks, by contrast, use a set of non-military titles that are often used in Commonwealth police services. The number of higher ranks, like chief superintendent and a deputy commissioner, has been added to and increased since the formation of the force, while the lower commissioned rank of sub-inspector has been dropped.
- Officers
Commissioner | Superintendent | Inspector | ||||||||||||||
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Commissioner Commissaire |
Deputy commissioner Sous-commissaire |
Assistant commissioner Commissaire adjoint |
Chief superintendent Surintendant principal |
Superintendent Surintendant |
Inspector Inspecteur | |||||||||||
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- Others
Non-commissioned officers | Constables | Depot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Corps sergeant major | Sergeant major | Staff sergeant major | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Constable | Cadet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sergent-major du corps | Sergent-major | Sergent-major d'état major | Sergent d'état-major | Sergent | Caporal | Gendarme | Cadet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Parliamentary Protective Service
[edit]The PPS uses a similar ranks system to the RCMP, with the director being a chief superintendent on secondment from the RCMP.[5] The officer-in-charge of PPS operations holds the rank of superintendent, team managers hold the rank of sergeant, supervisors hold the rank of corporal, and officers with no leadership responsibility hold the rank of constable.[6][7]
Alberta
[edit]Alberta Sheriffs Branch
[edit]Peace officer ranks for the Alberta Sheriffs Branch:[8]
Ranks | Chief sheriff | Deputy chief | Superintendent | Inspector | Branch sergeant major | Sergeant | Sheriff III FTO | Sheriff III | Sheriff II | Sheriff I |
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Insignia | ![]() |
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No insignia | No insignia | ![]() |
Calgary Police Service
[edit]Edmonton Police Service
[edit]Ranks[9] | Chief of police | Deputy chief | Superintendent | Inspector | Corps sergeant major | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Senior constable | Constable |
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Insignia[9] | ![]() |
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No insignia |
Lethbridge Police Service
[edit]Ranks | Chief of police | Deputy chief | Inspector | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Senior constable | Constable |
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Insignia | ![]() |
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No insignia |
British Columbia
[edit]British Columbia Sheriff Service
[edit]Ranks[10] | Chief sheriff | Deputy chief | Superintendent | Staff inspector | Inspector | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Deputy sheriff | Recruit sheriff |
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Insignia | ![]() |
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British Columbia Conservation Officer Service
[edit]- Chief conservation officer
- Deputy chief conservation officer
- Inspector
- Staff sergeant
- Sergeant
- Conservation officer
British Columbia Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement
[edit]No traditional ranking system outside of the ceremonial unit is in place.
- Departmental sergeant major -
- Troop sergeant - three chevrons
- - one chevron
Metro Vancouver Transit Police
[edit]Rank | Chief officer | Deputy chief officer | Superintendent | Inspector | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Constable |
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Insignia | ![]() |
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New Westminster Police Department
[edit]Vancouver Police Department
[edit]Rank[11] | Chief constable | Deputy chief constable | Superintendent | Inspector | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Police constable 1st class/detective | Police constable 2nd class | Police constable 3rd class | Police constable 4th class |
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Insignia[11] | ![]() |
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- Special municipal constable (traffic authority/jail guard/community safety personnel)
Manitoba
[edit]Winnipeg Police Service
[edit]Rank | Chief of police | Deputy chief of police | Superintendent | Inspector | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Detective sergeant / patrol sergeant | Senior constable | Constable |
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Insignia | ![]() |
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New Brunswick
[edit]![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020) |
Newfoundland and Labrador
[edit]Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
[edit]The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is the provincial police service for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Rank | Commanding officers | Senior officers | Police officers | Officers in training | ||||
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Chief constable | Deputy chief | Superintendent | Inspector | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Constable | Cadet | |
Insignia | ![]() |
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High Sheriff of Newfoundland and Labrador
[edit]The Office of the High Sheriff of Newfoundland and Labrador is a provincial law enforcement agency in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Founded in 1729, it is the oldest law enforcement agency in Canada.
- High sheriff
- Sub-sheriff
- Deputy sheriff II
- Deputy sheriff I
- Bailiff
Northwest Territories
[edit]![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020) |
Nova Scotia
[edit]Nova Scotia uses Sheriffs.[12]
Nunavut
[edit]![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020) |
Ontario
[edit]Ontario Provincial Police
[edit]Rank structure within the Ontario Provincial Police is paramilitary or quasi-military in nature, with several "non-commissioned" ranks leading to the "officer" ranks. Detective ranks fall laterally with the uniform ranks and is not a promotion above. Police constables in the OPP are uniquely known as "provincial constables."[13]
Historic now defunct ranks:
- Staff superintendent
- Divisional inspector
- Cadet
Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police
[edit]The rank insignia of the Toronto Police Service is similar to that used by police services elsewhere in Canada and in the United Kingdom, except that the usual "pips" are replaced by maple leaves. The St. Edward's Crown is found on insignia of staff sergeant, all superintendent ranks and all commanding officer ranks. The same rank insignia are also used by the York Regional Police.[14]
Ottawa Police Service
[edit]Peel Regional Police
[edit]Rank | Special constables | |
---|---|---|
Special constable supervisor | Special constable | |
Insignia
(slip-on) |
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Kingston Police
[edit]Cobourg Police Service
[edit]Durham Regional Police Service
[edit]- Chief of police
- Deputy chief
- Chief administrative officer
- Superintendent
- Inspector
- Detective sergeant
- Staff sergeant
- Detective
- Sergeant
- Detective constable
- Senior constable
- Constable - 1st class
- Constable - 2nd class
- Constable - 3rd class
- Constable - 4th class
- Special court constables
Halton Regional Police Service
[edit]- Chief of police
- Deputy chief
- Superintendent
- Inspector
- Staff sergeant / detective sergeant
- Sergeant / detective
- Police constable / detective constable
Waterloo Regional Police Service
[edit]- Chief of police (crown and three maple leaves)
- Deputy chief (crown and two maple leaves)
- Superintendent (crown)
- Inspector (two maple leaves)
- Staff sergeant (crown and three chevrons)
- Sergeant (three chevrons)
- Constable
West Grey Police
[edit]- Chief of police
- Inspector
- Sergeant / Detective
- Special Constable
- Constable
- Auxiliary constable
Prince Edward Island
[edit]![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020) |
Quebec
[edit]Sûreté du Québec
[edit]Ranks of Sûreté du Québec[15][16] | ||||||||
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General staff officers | Officers | Sub-Officers | Agents | |||||
Directeur general | Directeur adjoint | Inspecteur chef | Inspecteur | Capitaine | Lieutenant | Sergent | Chef d'equipe | Agent |
Director general of the SQ | Associate director | Chief inspector | Inspector | Captain | Lieutenant | Sergeant | Team leader | Constable |
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No insignia |
Kativik Regional Police
[edit]Ranks and insignia of the Kativik Regional Police Force are similar to those of Sûreté du Québec.
Ranks of Kativik Regional Police | ||||||||
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Officers | Sub-Officers | Agents
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Chef | Chef deputé | Capitaine | Sergent | Agent | ||||
Chief | Deputy Chief | Captain | Sergeant | Constable | ||||
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No insignia |
Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
[edit]Ranks of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal:[17]
- Director (directeur)
- Associate director (directeur-adjoint)
- Assistant director (assistant-directeur)
- Chief inspector (inspecteur chef)
- Inspector (inspecteur)
- Commander (commandant de quartier)
- Lieutenant / detective lieutenant (lieutenant/lieutenant détective)
- Quarter sergeant (sergent de quartier)
- Sergeant / detective sergeant (sergent/sergent détective)
- Senior constable (agent sénior)
- Constable (agent)
Service de police de la Ville de Laval
[edit]- Director (directeur)
- Associate director (directeur-adjoint)
- Assistant director (assistant-directeur)
- Chief inspector (inspecteur chef)
- Inspector (inspecteur)
- Lieutenant / detective lieutenant (lieutenant/lieutenant détective)
- Sergeant / detective sergeant (sergent/sergent détective)
- Constable (agent)
Service de police de la Ville de Québec
[edit]- Director (directeur)
- Associate director (directeur-adjoint)
- Lieutenant (lieutenant)
- Sergeant (sergent)
- Constable (agent)
Saskatchewan
[edit]Regina Police Service Ranks
[edit]The Regina Police Service Ranks is a police force in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan that has the following ranks:
- Chief of police
- Deputy chief
- Commissioner of police
- Assistant commissioner
- Inspector
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Constable
Saskatoon Police Service
[edit]- Chief
- Deputy chief
- Superintendent
- Inspector
- Staff sergeant
- Sergeant
- Constable
- Special constable
Weyburn Police Service
[edit]The Weyburn Police Service is a Canadian Police Service in the Province of Saskatchewan.
- Chief constable
- Deputy chief
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Constable
Yukon
[edit]![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2020) |
Specialized police services
[edit]Niagara Parks Police Service
[edit]- Chief of police
- Inspector
- Sergeant
- Constable
- Communications officer
- Provincial offences officer
Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
[edit]The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) is the police agency for Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN).
- Chief of police
- Deputy chief
- Regional inspector / regional commander
- Administrative sergeant
- Staff sergeant
- Sergeant (detective sergeant, road sergeant)
- Constable (detective constable)
Transit Enforcement Unit
[edit]The Transit Enforcement Unit (TEU; formerly known as the Special Constable Services Department) is the transit law enforcement and corporate security unit of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in Toronto.
- Chief special constable
- Staff sergeant (patrol / system security / fare inspection / training and logistical support)
- Sergeant (patrol / fare inspection / training and logistical support)
- Special constable (patrol)
- Protective services guard (security / revenue protection)
- Fare inspector (provincial offences officer)
University of Toronto Campus Community Police Service
[edit]- Director
- Associate director
- Staff sergeant
- Sergeant (rank currently not in use)
- Corporal (platoon / shift supervisor)
- Special constables / constables (1st to 4th class)
- Building patroller (security guard, not designated special constables)
Auxiliary police
[edit]Different Canadian auxiliary police programs use various ranks, including some of the following:
- Auxiliary staff superintendent
- Auxiliary superintendent
- Auxiliary staff inspector
- Auxiliary inspector
- Auxiliary sergeant major
- Auxiliary staff sergeant
- Auxiliary sergeant
- Auxiliary constable
Former police forces
[edit]Alberta Provincial Police
[edit]The Alberta Provincial Police was a police force active in Alberta, Canada, from 1917 until 1932.
- Commissioner
- Superintendent
- Assistant superintendent
- Inspector
- Detective
- Sergeant
- Constable
Newfoundland Ranger Force
[edit]The Newfoundland Ranger Force was the police force of the Dominion of Newfoundland before its confederation with Canada.
- Chief ranger
- Lieutenant
- Inspector
- Staff sergeant
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Ranger 1st class
- Ranger 2nd class
- Ranger 3rd class
North-West Mounted Police
[edit]1870–1900 | Commissioner | Deputy commissioner | Assistant commissioner | Chief superintendent | Superintendent | Inspector | Sub-inspector |
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Other ranks | |||||
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1870s | Chief constable[19] | Staff constable[20] | Constable[19] | Sub-constable | |
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1880s–1890s | Sergeant major[21] | Staff sergeant[22] | Sergeant[23] | Corporal | Constable |
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1900s | Sergeant major | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Constable |
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References
[edit]- ^ "Organizational structure - Royal Canadian Mounted Police". Rcmp-grc.gc.ca. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 28 February 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ "Ranks of the Force". Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP¨) / Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) / Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC)". uniforminsignia.org.
- ^ a b "Ranks of the Force". rcmp-grc.gc.ca. Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "The Service". Parliamentary Protective Service.
- ^ "MEDIA AVAILABILITY - 2021 International Women's Day". Newswire. 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Agreement Between the Parliamentary Protective Service and the Senate Protective Service Employees Association" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2023.
- ^ "Sub 3 - Sheriff, Security and Transport". Chr.alberta.ca. 5 December 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ a b "2008 Edmonton Police Service and Edmonton Police Commission - Annual Report to the Community". 2008. Archived from the original on 11 June 2010.
- ^ "Deputy Sheriff Career Opportunities". gov.bc.ca. Government of British Columbia. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
- ^ a b "The Job | Vancouver Police Department". Vancouver.ca. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ "Sheriff Services". novascotia.ca.
- ^ "OPP Ranks". Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ Toronto Police Service. "Toronto Police Service :: To Serve and Protect". Torontopolice.on.ca. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Grades à la Sûreté du Québec" [Ranks at the Sûreté du Québec]. Sûreté du Québec (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ "Discover police work - Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal". SPVM. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ "Uniform". Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ a b "Earliest Known Picture, 1874". Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ "Staff Sergeant in Undress, 1879". Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ "Sergeant-Major in Undress, 1890". Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ "Staff Sergeant in Full Dress, 1886". Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ Jack L. Summers; Renee Chartrand. "History and Uniform of the North West Mounted Police, 1873–1904". Retrieved January 25, 2021.