About
CFMP serve the CF community, which includes, Regular and Reserve Force members, DND civilian employees, cadets, and family members residing on military establishments in Canada and abroad. Whether at home on CF bases or abroad on international missions, CFMP, in conjunction with civilian and allied military police forces, protect and support all components of the CF. With over 1,250 full-time members, they form one of the largest police forces in Canada.
The international scope of the CF requires that CFMP provide services in Canada and around the world. All Canadian citizens are entitled to the same rights, privileges and protection under Canadian law, and CFMP are qualified to provide these services to the same standard as every other Canadian police service. CFMP routinely function within the civilian criminal and military justice systems.
CFMP are unusual in that they are classified as Peace Officers in the Criminal Code of Canada, which gives them the same powers as civilian law enforcement personnel to enforce Acts of Parliament on or in relation to DND property or assets anywhere in the world. They have the power to arrest anyone who is subject to the Code of Service Discipline (CSD), regardless of position or rank under the National Defence Act (NDA). CFMP have the power to arrest and charge non-CSD bound civilians only in cases where a crime is committed on or in relation to DND property or assets, or at the request of the Minister of Public Safety, Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada or Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Although CFMP jurisdiction is only on DND property across Canada and throughout the world, any civilian accessing these areas falls under CFMP jurisdiction and are dealt with in the same manner as any civilian policing agency. If in fact a crime is committed on or in relation to DND property or assets, CFMP have the power to arrest and charge the offender, military or civilian, under the Criminal Code of Canada. It is important to note though that the purpose of the CFMP is not to replace the job of a civilian police officer, but rather to support the CF through security and policing services. CFMP also have the power to enforce the Provincial Highway Traffic Act on all military bases in Canada contrary to the Government Property Traffic Regulations (GPTR).
Read more about this topic: Canadian Forces Military Police